In Cannes this year, it feels akin to an Indian summer! As the 77th Cannes Film Festival approaches, India emerges prominently with a remarkable 13 Indian or India-themed films in the limelight. The festival commences with the screening of French musician-filmmaker Quentin Dupieux’s “Le Deuxieme Acte” (The Second Act) on Tuesday evening, promising India’s prominence throughout the 12-day event.
This marks a historic moment! Never before has the Indian presence been so robust at Cannes. Thirteen Indian or India-themed films grace various sections of the festival, with six of them contending for accolades. Back in 2013, India left an impression with five films, including “Monsoon Shootout,” “Bombay Talkies,” “Ugly,” “The Lunchbox,” and “Charulata.” However, this year, the Indian contingent promises an abundance of cinematic offerings.
What’s particularly intriguing about this year’s selection is that all the films are helmed by women or revolve around strong female-centric narratives. It signals a new era for Indian cinema, shattering conventional storytelling paradigms.
Leading the charge is Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine as Light.” This Malayalam and Hindi film is even vying for the prestigious Palme d’Or, marking the first Indian film in 30 years to do so. A monumental feat indeed!
But the excitement doesn’t end there. We witness Sandhya Suri’s “Santosh” and Konstantin Bojanov’s “The Shameless,” featuring Mita Vashisht, representing India in the Un Certain Regard section. Additionally, Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) graduate Chidananda S Naik’s “Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know” competes in the La Cinef competition for film school entries.
Mansi Maheshwari, an Indian filmmaker based in the UK, garners attention with her animated offering “Bunnyhood,” while Karan Kandhari’s “Sister Midnight” promises to enthrall audiences with its noir drama starring Radhika Apte.
But surprises abound! Maisam Ali, another FTII talent like Kapadia, etches his name in history as the first Indian filmmaker to breach ACID Cannes with his debut feature “In Retreat.”
Even the Immersive Competition features an India-connected title with “Maya: The Birth of a Superhero” by Paulomi Basu and C J Clarke.
Meanwhile, Shyam Benegal’s timeless classic “Manthan” prepares for a resurgence with a 4K restored version in the Cannes Classics section. This film, spotlighting the milk cooperative movement, stands as a timeless jewel of Indian cinema.
Cannes is poised to experience independent Indian cinema like never before! As the festival commences on May 14, India, the world’s largest film-producing nation, anticipates significant victories. Cannes 2024 draws to a close on May 25.