It was a triple feat for Indian talent at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival with Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light", "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know" by FTII student Chidananda S Naik, and Anasuya Sengupta of "The Shameless" fame winning major awards in each of the three competitive sections of the prestigious gala.
News Arena Network - Cannes - UPDATED: May 26, 2024, 02:17 PM - 2 min read
India shines at Cannes’ 24 with 3 wins!
Cannes' 77th edition, ending Saturday, was a standout for India, featuring eight Indian or India-themed films.
Indian talent made waves at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, achieving a triple feat with three significant awards in different competitive sections. Payal Kapadia's "All We Imagine As Light," Chidananda S. Naik's "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know," and Anasuya Sengupta's "The Shameless" fame secured major accolades, marking a historic moment for Indian cinema.
Payal Kapadia, an alumna of the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), made history as the first Indian filmmaker to clinch the Grand Prix award for "All We Imagine as Light."
The film, her directorial debut, captivated audiences with its portrayal of three women in Mumbai embarking on a transformative road trip. Kapadia's win reflected the growing recognition of Indian cinema on the global stage, especially with her work drawing comparisons to renowned directors like Satyajit Ray and Wong Kar Wai.
Meanwhile, Anasuya Sengupta's portrayal in "The Shameless" earned her the distinction of being the first Indian to win the best actress prize in the Un Certain Regard section. Her performance in the film, which delves into themes of exploitation and solidarity among marginalised communities, resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.
Chidananda S Naik's "Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know..." also brought honour to India by securing the La Cinef first prize for film school fiction or animated films. Based on a Kannada folktale, the movie explores themes of folklore and tradition in a visually captivating narrative.
Beyond these individual achievements, the 2024 Cannes Film Festival saw a significant presence of Indian films, with a total of eight entries making their mark on the international stage.
This included the restored version of Shyam Benegal's 1976 crowdfunded film "Manthan" in Cannes Classics. Karan Kandhari's "Sister Midnight" appeared in Directors' Fortnight and Maisam Ali's "In Retreat" was picked for ACID Cannes. "Maya: The Birth of a Superhero", a virtual reality title with an India connect, was also selected.
Previously, Indian films to be selected for the Cannes Competition segment include Mrinal Sen's "Kharij" (1983), M S Sathyu’s “Garm Hava” (1974), Satyajit Ray’s “Parash Pathar” (1958), Raj Kapoor’s “Awaara” (1953), V Shantaram’s “Amar Bhoopali” (1952) and Chetan Anand’s “Neecha Nagar” (1946).
Overall, India's success at Cannes reflects the diversity and vibrancy of its cinema, showcasing a rich tapestry of storytelling and talent to a global audience.
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