May 24th 2024.
The Cannes Film Festival was buzzing with excitement as filmmaker Payal Kapadia and the talented cast of All We Imagine As Light made their grand entrance on the red carpet. This groundbreaking film, which has already received rave reviews from international critics, marks Kapadia's debut as a feature director. But that's not all - it's also the first Indian film in 30 years and the first directed by a woman from India to be selected for the main competition at Cannes.
Kapadia, along with the film's stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon, were all smiles as they posed for the cameras and even did a little dance. They were joined by cinematographer Ranabir Das and producers Julien Graff, Zico Maitra, and Thomas Hakim. It was a proud moment for all of them to be representing their film at such a prestigious event.
All We Imagine As Light is in the running for the coveted Palme d'Or award, competing against 19 other highly anticipated titles from renowned directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Yorgos Lanthimos, Paul Schrader, David Cronenberg, and Andrea Arnold. The last Indian film to be selected for the main competition was back in 1994, so this is truly a momentous occasion for the Indian film industry.
The film itself is a Malayalam-Hindi feature that tells the story of Prabha, a nurse whose life is turned upside down when she receives a surprise gift from her estranged husband. Meanwhile, her roommate Anu struggles to find privacy in the bustling city to spend time with her boyfriend. The two nurses embark on a road trip to a beach town where they find themselves in a mystical forest that brings their dreams to life.
International critics have been singing the praises of All We Imagine As Light and Kapadia's skillful storytelling. Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian describes the film as "glorious" and compares it to the works of Satyajit Ray. Fionnuala Halligan of Screen International commends Kapadia for her international caliber storytelling, comparing her to renowned directors like Lucrecia Martel, Alice Rohrwacher, and Wong Kar-wai. Indiewire's Sophie Monks Kaufman calls the film a "sensual triumph" and praises its ability to capture the beauty and sensuality of everyday life.
Kapadia, an alumna of the Film & Television Institute of India, has already made a name for herself with her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing, which won the Oeil d'or award at Cannes in 2021. Her short film Afternoon Clouds was also recognized at the festival's Cinefondation category, dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers.
All We Imagine As Light is a co-production between French company Petit Chaos and Indian company Chalk and Cheese Films, making it a true collaboration between two cultures. As the film continues to make waves at Cannes and beyond, it's clear that Kapadia and her team have created something truly special and deserving of all the praise it has received.
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