A landmark moment for Indian cinema came last night as Payal Kapadia’s debut fiction feature, *All We Imagine As Light*, received an enthusiastic eight-minute standing ovation at its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. Screening in the late-night competition slot, the film was the first Indian production in the competition in three decades and the first by an Indian woman filmmaker to achieve this honor.
The film, a rare French-Indo co-production, was brought to life through a collaboration between Paris-based producers Hakim and Julien Graff of Petit Chaos and Mumbai’s Zico Maitra of Chalk & Cheese Films. This unique partnership allowed for the seamless integration of cultural nuances from both countries, enriching the storytelling process. Shot over a span of 40 days across Mumbai and the rainy western port town of Ratnagiri, the Malayalam-Hindi language feature weaves the intricate story of two young women, Prabha (Kani Kasruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha).
Kapadia’s film delves deep into the lives of these two women navigating their personal and emotional landscapes. Prabha, a nurse from Mumbai, finds her routine disrupted by an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, an event that becomes a catalyst for her introspection and self-discovery. Meanwhile, her roommate Anu, who is entangled in a relationship, struggles to find a private space in the bustling city for intimacy with her boyfriend. Their journey to a serene beach town becomes a pivotal escape, where their desires and dreams unfold against the backdrop of the scenic coastal landscape.
The film’s journey to Cannes was far from ordinary. Kapadia, who gained international recognition with her documentary *A Night of Knowing Nothing* (2021), which screened in Director’s Fortnight at Cannes and won the Golden Eye for best documentary, expressed her gratitude for the platform and spotlight on Indian cinema. In an interview preceding the film’s premiere, she highlighted the diverse and rich filmmaking talent across India. “India is a country that makes a lot of good films. Not just Bollywood, but every state has its industry and there are absolutely brilliant filmmakers. I hope that after this, we won’t have to wait another 30 years,” she said.
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The distinct narrative style of *All We Imagine As Light* is rooted in Kapadia’s commitment to authenticity and realism. Each frame of the film meticulously captures the raw, unfiltered emotions of its characters, helped in part by its naturalistic cinematography. The locales of Mumbai and Ratnagiri add layers to the film’s narrative, giving it a grounded, intimate feel.
Furthermore, the collaboration between Petit Chaos and Chalk & Cheese Films played a critical role in the film’s production. The Graff brothers, known for their avant-garde productions in France, brought their wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the project. Zico Maitra’s contribution ensured that the Indian cultural essence was preserved, resulting in a film that resonated profoundly with both local and international audiences.
The standing ovation at Cannes signifies more than just an appreciation for Kapadia’s work. It represents a broader recognition and celebration of Indian cinema on a world stage. The overwhelmingly positive reception at Cannes could potentially open doors for more Indian filmmakers to present their work internationally, breaking long-standing barriers and misconceptions about Indian cinema being synonymous only with Bollywood.
Critics have praised *All We Imagine As Light* for its heartfelt storytelling and the commendable performances of its lead actors. Kani Kasruti and Divya Prabha, through their nuanced performances, bring a palpable authenticity to their characters’ struggles and hopes, making the movie a relatable experience for many viewers.
Concluding her thoughts on this monumental achievement, Kapadia remarked, “This film is a testament to the collaborative spirit of cinema, where different worlds come together to tell a universal story. I am grateful to everyone who believed in this project and helped bring it to fruition. This is just the beginning, and I hope to continue telling stories that matter.”
As *All We Imagine As Light* continues its journey through international film circuits, its success at Cannes serves as a significant milestone, heralding a new era of visibility and acclaim for Indian filmmakers and their diverse narratives.
