New Delhi: Filmmaker Payal Kapadia made history on Saturday as her captivating drama All We Imagine as Light clinched the Grand Prix award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This accolade is the festival’s second-most prestigious prize, following the Palme d’Or, and was presented during the closing ceremony of the 77th edition.
All We Imagine as Light clinches the Grand Prix award
Payal’s feature directorial debut screened on Thursday night and has since garnered rave reviews from international critics. All We Imagine as Light became the first Indian film in 30 years, and the first ever by an Indian female director, to be featured in the festival’s main competition. The screening received an eight-minute standing ovation from the audience, further cementing its place in the history books.
The film, a Malayalam-Hindi feature, revolves around Prabha, a nurse who receives an unexpected gift from her long-estranged husband, disrupting her life. Her younger roommate, Anu, struggles to find privacy in the bustling city to be alone with her boyfriend. The narrative takes a mystical turn when the two nurses embark on a road trip to a beach town, where a mystical forest becomes a space for their dreams to manifest.
International critics have lauded Payal’s storytelling prowess, highlighting her ability to weave a compelling narrative that resonates on a global scale. This film is an Indo-French co-production, brought to life by Petit Chaos from France and Chalk and Cheese Films from India.
Who is Payal Kapadia?
Payal is no stranger to acclaim. An alumna of the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), she first gained international recognition with her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing. This documentary premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival’s Director’s Fortnight sidebar and won the Oeil d’or (Golden Eye) award. Payal earlier work includes Afternoon Clouds, a short film featured in Cinefondation, a category dedicated to supporting the next generation of talented filmmakers.
All We Imagine as Light
The success of All We Imagine as Light at Cannes marks a significant milestone for Indian cinema, especially for female directors. Kapadia’s achievement not only shines a spotlight on her exceptional talent but also paves the way for more diverse voices in the global film industry.
Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s film All We Imagine As Light bagged the Grand Prix award at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Scroll down to read about it! Celebrity Entertainment News: Latest Bollywood, Hollywood News, South Cinema, Celebrity Gossip Today, Latest Movie News
