IN winning the Grand Prix for her debut feature film, All We Imagine As Light (AWIAL), at Cannes Film Festival 2024, Payal Kapadia didn't just post a milestone in the history of Indian cinema but elegantly furthered an ongoing debate to the next level. It had taken 30 years (since Shaji N Karun's Swaham in 1994) for an Indian film to find a place in the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. "Please don't wait 30 years to have another Indian film," she said in her award acceptance speech.
Despite a robust independent cinema, spearheaded by a bunch of talented young filmmakers, we have been persistently indulging in self-flagellation about how Indian cinema is not up to the gold standard of the West, never questioning their gaze on us and the defined vision within which our films get circumscribed. AWIAL, with its quiet and profound exploration of female friendship, uncovers a cinematic universe beyond the cliched expectations of song-n-dance Bollywood or a testosterone-driven RRR. What's more, Kapadia generously used her personal moment of glory to shine a light on all her co-warriors of indie cinema and underscored how much she valued her team, the cast and crew on every platform she spoke from. A graceful show of self-esteem, dignity, and solidarity.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
"The worlds of Marmadesam and Aindham Vedham are similar
NOT long before the 1000-episode Tamil television serials, a novel concept with a riveting treatment got encapsulated in just 80-100 episodes with Marmadesam.
JOHN WICK ANIME FILM IN THE WORKS
AN anime feature film based on the action franchise John Wick, which stars Keanu Reeves as the titular character, is in development.
Chellamae-fame Gandhi Krishna's next titled Break Fast
Gandhi Krishna, known for helming films like Nila Kaalam (2001), Chellamae (2004), and Anandha Thandavam (2009), returns to direction after 14 years for Break Fast.
A SOLDIER'S LIFE
Director Rajkumar Periasamy speaks about his upcoming Sivakarthikeyan-Sai Pallavi-starrer Amaran, bringing Major Mukund Varadarajan’s life to screen, the help from the Ministry of Defence, and more
REFLECTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES
The seven-day cultural festival Vaazhiya Vayigham, revolving around the theme of protecting the Earth, nudges people to introspect while the performances pay tribute to the planet
CALLOUS COMMENTS AND POLITICAL PROPAGANDA
Contrary to national population control campaigns of several decades, including ones that he supported, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu recently stated that couples should be encouraged to have more than two children, in order to stabilise population growth in the state.
A HEALTHCARE PAW-TNER
Whenever Vivek Srinivas P returned home after a long trip, he would find his dog, Bruno, sick.
Mission accomplished
WHERE the clear sky meets the deep blue sea, soft waves cradle us as sunlight dances across the ocean, inviting us to swim.
SECRETS OF SUCCESS
After a few heartbreaking losses, long-term planning and adapting to conditions led to TN U19 women’s triumph
India looking to spin narrative
With Pune's bald black soil surface likely to aid spinners, hosts will be looking to adapt quickly and draw level in the series vs NZ