Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

We have our own vocabulary in cinema: Cannes winner Payal Kapadia

Kapadia, also known for the acclaimed documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing, said there is not always a need to send a film to an international film festival as India has many of its own.

We have our own vocabulary in cinema: Cannes winner Payal Kapadia

The beauty of cinema is that all kinds of films can and should co-exist, says Cannes Grand Prix winner Payal Kapadia, who credits her exposure to films from across the world as a major part of her learning years at Pune's FTII.

Kapadia etched her name in history by becoming the first director from India to clinch the coveted trophy for her film All We Imagine As Light, the European film gala's second most prestigious honour after the top prize Palme d'Or (won by Sean Baker's Anora).


Kapadia's meditative film in Malayalam and Hindi about two Mumbai nurses was also the first film in 30 years to enter the main competition section of the prestigious film festival since Shaji N Karun's 1994 Malayalam movie Swaham.

"I studied at FTII (The Film and Television Institute of India) and it was a really important part of my learning of cinema. We watched films from all over the world there, we studied cinema from everywhere. Maybe that's crept into how I like to make films," she said at a press conference in Cannes after the win at the May 14-25 event.

"Maybe that then becomes a language that the western audience can be more open to because I think we have our own vocabulary in cinema and it's very self-contained in India. We understand the gestures in our communities," Kapadia said while reflecting on the film's universal appeal given how it charmed international critics and the Cannes jury, headed by Barbie director Greta Gerwig.

Addressing a press conference in Cannes on Saturday night with the cast, the filmmaker spoke about the extensive collaborative process with the actors and technicians, the importance of sound in the movie, predominantly set in the cacophony of the fast-paced Mumbai city, and the flourishing cinema culture in different states, particularly Kerala.

Kapadia, also known for the acclaimed documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing, said there is not always a need to send a film to an international film festival as India has many of its own.

"We have our own (film) festivals. There are a lot of people who go out to watch films. This is just one film amongst thousands of films and it's good that we can have all kinds of films -- festival films, some 'not festival films'. Everything should exist together. That's what's wonderful about cinema," she added.

She gave a shout-out to fellow FTII alumni, including her batchmate Maisam Ali, whose film In Retreat was showcased in the Cannes sidebar ACID. Chidanand S Naik, also an FTII student, won the first prize in the La Cinef category for short films for his diploma film Sunflowers Were The First to Know.

"It was nice to see that our school has led us to making different kinds of films. I'm really grateful for it," she said.

Kapadia also praised the thriving Malayalam film industry, saying audiences in Kerala are more open to watching different kinds of films. All We Imagine As Light also stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridu Haroon.

"Everything is changing. Even what Bollywood is, it is changing all the time. There is an immense amount of range in the cinema from Kerala. Even arthouse films get distribution there, which doesn't happen in the rest of the country," Kapadia said.

She said it was a joy to work with such wonderful actors.

"We really had a strong friendship and connection. That is what the film is about, so when you have it in real life, it shows in the film. I was really grateful to work with them. They gave me so much time... We formed a camaraderie between us and that is what finally shows on screen."

Read Also: Sean Bean to lead new BBC crime drama ‘This City Is Ours’

While it was a privilege to be selected in Cannes main competition, winning the award was "absolutely crazy", Kapadia said. She made the same point in her acceptance speech when she urged the organisers to not wait for another three decades to bring a film from India.

"It was really wonderful for us to get this recognition... The filmmakers are so amazing, (there are) the people I really look up to. There are interesting films being made in India and I'm only a product of that...

"We've been around for a long time. It's just that (for) some reason it took 30 years to be selected but there's amazing work going on in our country. I'm glad we see the kind of cinema we do in India."

All We Imagine As Light revolves around three women of different ages in Mumbai. Their life takes an interesting turn when they go on a trip to a beach town in Ratnagiri.

More For You

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The next era of 'James Bond'

Getty

Amazon promises ‘fresh’ take on James Bond while honouring legacy

The future of James Bond is taking shape under new ownership, with Amazon MGM pledging a "fresh" yet respectful approach to the iconic spy franchise. As speculation mounts over who will step into the role of James Bond, the studio has reassured fans that it remains committed to upholding Bond’s rich legacy while steering the franchise in a new direction.

A landmark acquisition

The James Bond films, long controlled by the fiercely protective Broccoli family, saw a major shift earlier this year when Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson agreed to relinquish creative control. Amazon MGM’s reported $1 billion (£760 million) acquisition of the rights surprised many within the industry, raising questions about the franchise’s future under new leadership.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rosamund Pike’s Hilarious James Bond Love Scene Blunder

Rosamund Pike and Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day – The actress recently shared a hilarious behind-the-scenes mishap from their romantic scene

Instagram/Reddit

Rosamund Pike reveals mortifying James Bond love scene mishap: "I thought I was waxing Pierce Brosnan’s chest!"

Rosamund Pike has revealed a hilarious mix-up from her time filming Die Another Day alongside Pierce Brosnan. While shooting a romantic scene, the young actress believed she was accidentally waxing Brosnan’s chest, but the truth was far less painful.

During a recent conversation on David Tennant’s podcast, Pike spoke about her first major Hollywood role as Miranda Frost in the 2002 James Bond film. At just 22, she was still new to the industry and unfamiliar with some behind-the-scenes tricks of the trade, including the use of nipple covers and body tape during intimate scenes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West’s explosive new track Bianca reveals shocking details about his crumbling marriage, tracking allegations, and family feud

Getty Images

Kanye West admits to tracking wife Bianca Censori after her escape in explosive new song

Kanye West has once again thrown himself into controversy, this time through his latest track, Bianca. The song, which dropped on DJ Akademiks’ platform, offers a raw, unfiltered look into his crumbling marriage with Bianca Censori. In the lyrics, West reveals shocking details about her alleged escape, her attempt to have him institutionalised, and his efforts to track her down. The track has sparked outrage and concern, drawing comparisons to real-life psychological thrillers and high-profile celebrity scandals.

West’s lyrics suggest that his wife reached a breaking point and felt she had no choice but to flee. He raps:

Keep ReadingShow less
John Wick

A classic still from John Wick

Instagram/WorldofJohnWick

John Wick gets animated makeover: Lionsgate & Chad Stahelski expand the assassin universe with new series

The John Wick franchise is expanding into animation, offering fans a fresh take on the high-octane world of assassins. Lionsgate has confirmed that an animated series titled John Wick: The Continental is in development, exploring untold stories from the universe of the hit action films.

Chad Stahelski, who directed all four John Wick movies, revealed the project during a recent interview. He emphasised that animation allows for storytelling beyond the limits of live-action, making it possible to explore characters and events in ways not seen before. This new approach aims to deepen the mythology of the franchise while maintaining the action-packed style that fans love.

Keep ReadingShow less