Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s debut feature, All We Imagine As Light, is making the country proud by winning the Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. However, its release in India is limited – to selected theaters in Kerala only.
Barely qualifying for the requirement laid down by the Film Federation of India to be eligible for India’s official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Film category, All We Imagine As Light is an attempt at documentary filmmaking but isn’t a good one. According to the criteria listed on the film body’s official website, “Films which are unreleased as of 10th September (last date of entry) who wish to apply for the Oscar Entry will have to submit an undertaking and confirmation from the production & distribution company that the said films will be released for a minimum of 7 days in theatres before the deadline of 30th September 2024.”
Spirit Media, a company founded by Telugu actor Rana Daggubati, has won the exclusive distribution rights of the movie in India. “We are proud to be able to bring this incredible film to audiences in India, starting with Kerala where the two leading characters of the story are from,” said Rana.
All We Imagine As Light is an official Indo-French co-production between Chalk and Cheese Films from India and Petit Chaos from France. However, France has already chosen Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical crime comedy Emilia Perez, featuring Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana, as its official Oscar choice.
Payal, an alumnus from the Film & Television Institute of India, Pune, has set a record by being the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix at Cannes. Her film is also the first Indian entry that competes in the festival’s main competition in 30 years.
Also starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, it’s the story of Mumbai nurse Prabha (Kani), who is uprooted from her life by a mysterious rice cooker provided by an estranged husband. Divya Prabha plays Anu, her roommate and colleague, looking for a private space in the city to meet her boyfriend. Prabha’s best friend Parvati (Chhaya) is facing eviction due to property developers.
