TEHRAN – The Iranian Artists Forum (IAF) Cinematheque will screen Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s 2024 drama film “All We Imagine as Light” on Thursday.
The film follows two Malayali nurses, Prabha and Anu, who live together in Mumbai. Prabha, the more serious of the two, is lonely and longs for her husband, who has not been in Germany since their brief arranged marriage more than a year ago. In contrast, Anu is active and has a secret relationship with Siaz, a Muslim. One day, the two receive a brand new German rice cooker from an unknown sender, sparking curiosity and intrigue.
In this backdrop, Prabha tries to support hospital cook Parvati in her fight against a greedy builder who wants to demolish her shawl for the construction of a skyscraper. Feeling trapped and unable to assert her rights, Parvati decides to return to the village of Ratnagiri. Prabha and Anu accompany her to help her move. Unbeknownst to them, Shiaz is pursuing Anu and their secret meeting is discovered by Prabha.
In a touching moment of connection, Prabha rescues and cares for a drowning middle-aged man. During the conversation, he temporarily transforms into the husband of her dreams and apologizes for his absence. However, Prabha has asserted her independence and expressed a desire to sever ties.
The film intricately explores themes of longing, friendship, and the complexities of love.
All We Imagine as Light had its world premiere in the main competition of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and won the Grand Prix. It was also nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or, making it the first Indian film to be submitted to the competition since 1994’s Swaham.
Upon its release in India, the film received positive reviews. A consensus of critics praised the film’s thought-provoking story, stunning visuals, and Kapadia’s delicate direction, cementing her status as one of the industry’s most promising young filmmakers. .
All We Imagine as Light has received numerous accolades from critics and organizations around the world. The film was named one of the top five international films of 2024 by the National Board of Review, and was nominated in two categories at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, including Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director.
The film has also received acclaim at various film festivals, including being nominated for Best Picture at the Sydney Film Festival. It won the RTVE Another Look Award at the San Sebastian International Film Festival and the Best Fiction Feature Award at the Montclair Film Festival. At Cahiers du Cinéma, the film was ranked 5th on their annual Top 10 list of the best films of the year.
In addition to being nominated for numerous awards, “All We Imagine as Light” has received praise from notable filmmakers and critics around the world, including Ciro Guerra, Don Hertzfeldt, and Laura Poitras. I am. The film’s success has sparked a new debate about the representation of women in Indian cinema and the importance of showcasing diverse stories.
Despite being excluded from the International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards by the Film Federation of India (FFI), the film received critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, making it one of the best films of the year. continues to solidify its position.
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