INDIAN actor Alyy Khan has said his new film, The Valley, deals with “strong connections” at a time when technology is “desensitising the majority of us”
Khan plays Neal, a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, whose character goes through a tumult of emotions when his daughter, an undergraduate, takes her own life while at university.
“The issues the film deals with are extremely relevant and need awareness hence,” Khan told Eastern Eye, adding that though it is a work of fiction, “the narrative and characterisation have a certain responsibility”.
“The Valley is an important story which needs to be told,” Khan added.
Directed by Saila Kariat, the film has won a clutch of awards on the festival circuit, including Best Original Screenplay at the Madrid International Film Festival, and Best Feature Film at the Long Island International Film Festival.
The crew shot the movie in a record 21 days in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Khan is known to British audiences for his role as Ramu Sood in the Channel 4 drama Indian Summers, and previously in movies such as A Mighty Heart.
He spoke of his hope that his new film will appeal to a wide audience, from teenagers to parents and especially mothers.
“It transcends colour and ethnicity because of the commonality of the issues,” Khan said.
The father-of-two said his role as Neal was “emotionally very demanding and draining”
What does he expect audiences will take away from the film? “To reflect on priorities and be thankful of the universe’s bounty,” Khan said.
Khan will be seen next in a children’s animated film, followed by an espionage thriller.
The film premiered earlier this month and will be shown in screens across Britain.
See www.filmvoltltd.com/thevalley for more
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)