Cannes 2024 Spotlight: Indian Film Shines in Main Event

For the first time in three decades, an Indian cinematic creation has found its way to the illustrious Cannes Film Festival. Payal Kapadia’s film, “All We Imagine As Light,” has claimed a position in the festival’s most prestigious competition category. This thrilling revelation was shared during a press event in Paris by the festival’s leadership duo, Iris Knobloch and Thierry Fremaux, president and general-delegate, respectively.

The exceptional aspect of this achievement is Kapadia’s inclusion among four female filmmakers vying in this year’s competition, marking a notable shift from the seven participants of the previous year.

Kapadia is no stranger to Cannes, having previously captivated audiences with her earlier works. Her documentary, “A Night of Not Knowing Nothing,” earned the Golden Eye accolade for Best Documentary at the Director’s Fortnight in 2021. Furthermore, her film “Afternoon Clouds” was featured in the Cinefondation section in 2017.

At the age of 30, Kapadia now competes for the coveted Palme d’Or alongside distinguished directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and Andrea Arnold. Her cinematic creation, “All We Imagine As Light,” co-produced with France, portrays the tale of Prabha, a nurse grappling with a sudden gift from her distant husband, while her friend Anu seeks refuge with her partner. Together, they journey to a coastal town, where they find respite for their aspirations and longings.

In addition to Kapadia’s accomplishment, Indian cinema garners further acclaim at Cannes this year through Sandhya Suri’s inaugural feature, “Santosh,” showcased in the Un Certain Regard segment, a notable triumph for British-Indian cinema.

Reflecting on the annals of time, Indian films have made sporadic yet impactful appearances at Cannes. Productions such as “Neecha Nagar,” “Awaara,” and “Garm Hava” have left an enduring mark, with “Neecha Nagar” even earning the prestigious Palme d’Or.