The film 'All We Imagine as Light' marks Payal Kapadia's directorial debut and has achieved significant recognition by winning the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. This notable achievement has garnered widespread applause from the film industry and audiences alike. The film received thunderous applause during its screening, culminating in an eight-minute standing ovation.
The story of 'All We Imagine as Light' revolves around Prabha, a nurse whose life takes an unexpected turn when she receives a mysterious gift from her estranged husband. Accompanied by her roommate Anu, Prabha embarks on a journey to a coastal town where the mystical forest serves as a sanctuary for their dreams. This captivating plot, set against the backdrop of a bustling city, has resonated with many, earning it critical acclaim.
Bollywood celebrities such as Kiara Advani, Swara Bhasker, Ali Fazal, Radhika Apte, Richa Chadha, Anurag Kashyap, and Bhumi Pednekar have congratulated Payal Kapadia and her team for their outstanding achievement. This film marks the first Indian film in three decades to win the Grand Prix and the first by an Indian woman director to grace the festival's main competition.
Kiara Advani shared a post by Festival de Cannes on her Instagram Stories, expressing her congratulations with trophy and red heart emojis.
Bhumi Pednekar re-shared MAMI Mumbai Film Festival's post on her Instagram Stories, simply writing "Bravo" with clapping hands emojis.
Radhika Apte also took to her Instagram Stories to congratulate the team, writing, "Huge congratulations to the beautiful and incredible people behind this film!! This is just perfect." Swara Bhasker shared a post on her Instagram, calling it "Amazing!"
Aditi Rao Hydari wrote a heartfelt post on Instagram, highlighting the significance of this achievement for Indian cinema. She stated, "At a very perplexing time in history where only the noise from my incredible county seems to get amplified, here is an independent film by a first-time director that wins the Grand Prix honour at @festivaldecannes. Please take a moment and let us all stand and applaud this monumental achievement. This is the crowning glory of the fight for good Cinema in India. It may happen again, but not without the impact of #PayalKapadia’s spectacular achievement. So proud, so grateful. My love and congratulations to the entire team! India in all Her glory, and on Her own terms... What a moment!”
Tovino Thomas also praised the film on Instagram, calling it an incredible achievement for Indian cinema. He wrote, "‘All We Imagine As Light’ scripts history, becomes first Indian film to win Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival. Take a bow!!"
Shekhar Kapur tweeted, "Payal Kapadia’s ‘All we imagine is light won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival! .. what an honour for her and her team. It seems to be India’s year at Cannes. This is the 3rd, but the biggest award to Indian Cinema this year."
Mini Mathur posted a clip on her Instagram Stories from the event as Payal won the award, writing, "The Grand prix!! After 30 years..an Indian film competes for the highest honour at @cannes_filmfestival!! A first win for a female director. And it took #PayalKapadia and three incredible women actors to tell this story #allweimagineaslight." She tagged the actors in her post, highlighting the importance of their contribution to the film's success.
Saba Azad shared a post by Brut, accompanied by clapping emojis and a long note urging support for good cinema. She wrote, "Fund good cinema!! Support independent filmmakers, support actors who give themselves wholly to the craft and aren’t just in it for the frills - put your money behind talent!! And real talent may not mean the most famous or most familiar!! There is a kind of Indian cinema that deserves our attention and support, and it’s shining the world over!! Let’s give it the respect it deserves, back home too."
Soni Razdan also reposted Festival de Cannes’s Instagram post, writing, “OMG. This is incredible! Huge congratulations, Payal Kapadia and team.”
'All We Imagine as Light' stands as an Indo-French collaboration, co-produced by Petit Chaos from France and Chalk and Cheese Films from India. This collaboration highlights the international effort that went into creating the film, showcasing the power of cross-cultural partnerships in cinema. Before this, Payal Kapadia had won the Golden Eye award at Cannes for her documentary 'A Night of Knowing Nothing,' further establishing her as a filmmaker of significant talent and vision.
The success of 'All We Imagine as Light' not only marks a milestone for Indian cinema on an international platform but also underscores the importance of supporting and celebrating diverse voices in the film industry. The recognition and accolades from both peers and audiences are a testament to the film's impact and the storytelling prowess of Payal Kapadia and her team.
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