In 2024, Payal Kapadia directed the film that won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival. This film also competed for the Palme d’Or at the same festival, marking a significant milestone. It was the first Indian feature film to represent India at Cannes in 30 years. Additionally, it was the first instance of a female Indian filmmaker presenting a feature film at the festival. This was a monumental event for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Overview “All We Imagine as Light
The film, “All We Imagine as Light,” received numerous nominations for international awards despite a significant controversy surrounding its exclusion from the Film Federation of India (FFI) jury’s recommendation for the best international feature film at the Academy Awards. This became a hot topic of discussion in the film industry.
Plot Summary and Key Characters
The story focuses on two nurses, Prabha and Anu, who migrate from Kerala to Mumbai for work. Alongside them is Parvati, a middle-aged woman working as a cook in the hospital. Although Prabha and Anu do not receive extensive screen time, Parvati plays a significant role in the narrative. Prabha is a married woman, but she hasn’t heard from her husband, who went to Germany for work, in over a year. As a result of various life experiences, she is portrayed as someone who works cautiously and responsibly. In contrast, Anu is a young woman who lives more freely and engages in a romantic relationship with a Muslim man named Shias. Parvati faces the loss of her long-term home to a developer intending to build high-rise apartments.
Though Prabha, Anu, and Parvati deal with different personal challenges, they collectively confront broader struggles, primarily loneliness and uncertain futures in chaotic Mumbai. The term “Light,” in the film’s title, symbolises various aspects throughout the movie. It connects not only to Prabha, Anu, and Parvati but also to the city of Mumbai, which they hope will illuminate their future as they seek opportunities.
Direction and Writing by Payal Kapadia
The film poignantly explores the lives of migrants in a bustling city, illustrating their precarious existence and the impact of such an environment on women’s lives through different perspectives. It was directed and written by Payal Kapadia, whose work carries a poetic quality similar to that found in films by Mira Nair and Deepa Mehta, which delicately express complex themes while highlighting profound human emotions.
Stellar Performances: Anu, Prabha, and Parvati
Prabha, Anu, and Parvati characters are brought to life by exceptional performances from actors Kani Kusruthi, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam, respectively. Despite limited screen time, Chhaya manages to bring depth to her character. Along with noteworthy performances from Hridhu Haroon and Azees Nedumangad, the film displays remarkable production quality, highlighted by cinematography by Ranabir Das, editing by Clement Pinteaux, and music direction by Topshe.
Awards and Nominations: Aiming for Global Recognition
Beyond the prestigious Cannes award, this film is also nominated for many other award ceremonies, including the Golden Globe Awards for Best International Feature Film and Best Director. Current speculation suggests that it may also receive a nomination for Best Picture at the upcoming Academy Awards, which will become clearer soon.
