Cannes: Payal Kapadia scripts history with Grand Prix win
What's the story
In a historic moment at the recently concluded 77th Cannes Film Festival, Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light won the prestigious Grand Prix, the second-highest award of the festival.
This is the first time an Indian film has received this honor!
Kapadia, along with cast members Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam accepted the award on the festival's final day.
All We Imagine As Light marks Kapadia's feature film debut.
Winning speech
Kapadia had a message for the Cannes Film Festival
An excited Kapadia said in her speech, "Thank you to the Cannes Film Festival for having our film here. Please don't wait 30 years to have another Indian film."
"This film is about friendship between three women and oftentimes women are pitted against each other. This is the way society is designed and it is very unfortunate."
"But for me friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity and empathy towards each other."
Film synopsis
'All We imagine As light': A glimpse into the story
All We Imagine As Light is an Indo-French production that narrates the tale of a nurse named Prabha, played by Kusruti.
The plot unfolds as Prabha receives an unexpected gift from her long-estranged husband.
The story also circles her younger friend and roommate, Anu, portrayed by Prabha, who is in search of a quiet spot with her lover.
Together, they embark on a road trip to a beach town where they explore their dreams and desires.
Film debut
Earlier, it received a standing ovation at premiere
The film made its premiere on May 23 and was met with an eight-minute standing ovation, one of the longest in this edition of the festival.
It competed against new features from renowned directors such as Francis Ford Coppola, Paolo Sorrentino, Paul Schrader, and Yorgos Lanthimos.
This marks the first time in nearly three decades that an Indian film has competed for the Palme d'Or award (highest honor at Cannes) since Shaji N Karun's Swaham in 1994.
Director's profile
Kapadia: A familiar face at Cannes
An FTII graduate, Kapadia is a regular at the Cannes Film Festival.
She previously won the Golden Eye award for her documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing.
The jury for this year's festival was presided over by Greta Gerwig and included Lily Gladstone, Kore-eda Hirokazu, Eva Green, Ebru Ceylan, Juan Antonio Bayona, Nadine Labaki, and Omar Sy.
The festival commenced on May 14.