A cinematic journey: ‘All We Imagine as Light’ and its Oscar aspirations
A tale of two countries
Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix winner, All We Imagine as Light, is making waves in the film industry. This unique film could potentially be the Oscar entry for both France and India in the international feature category. This dual possibility is a rare and exciting prospect for any film.
Earlier this week, the film was unexpectedly included in the shortlist of four movies by France’s Oscar committee. It stands alongside Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Perez, The Count of Monte Cristo, and Alain Guiraudie’s Misericordia. This recognition is a testament to the film’s universal appeal and the strength of its storytelling.
A global journey
Produced by Thomas Hakim and Julian Graff through their France-based company Petit Chaos, the film has already secured distribution deals in major territories, including the U.S. and France. It is set to become one of the most widely distributed Indian independent films of all time. However, it had not secured a distribution deal in India until recently, just in time to be eligible as the country’s official entry.
The film was acquired by Spirit Media, owned by Rana Daggubati, and will soon be released in Indian cinemas. This acquisition is a significant milestone, ensuring that the film reaches a broader audience in its home country.
A story of resonance
The film’s Indian co-producers have submitted it for selection in India while celebrating its inclusion in the French shortlist. They expressed their gratitude for the recognition and the opportunity to represent India on a global stage. The film’s themes, though global, are deeply rooted in the lives of women in Mumbai, making it a poignant representation of Indian culture and society.
Zico Maitra of Chalk & Cheese Films shared his excitement about the film’s journey, highlighting its significance as the first Indian film to compete at Cannes in 30 years. He emphasized the honor it would be to represent India at the Academy Awards, hoping it would bring joy to the country, much like the film’s Grand Prix win at Cannes did.
The narrative and its characters
Written and directed by Kapadia in her narrative directorial debut, All We Imagine as Light tells the story of two women in Mumbai. Prabha, a troubled nurse, receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, while Anu, her young roommate, seeks a place to be intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to explore their desires and find a space for their emotions to manifest. The film stars Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, and Hridhu Haroon.
The competition
In India, the other frontrunner for the Oscar entry is Anand Ekarshi’s Aattam, which won three prizes at India’s National Film Awards. The competition in France is equally fierce, with all four shortlisted films premiering at the Cannes Film Festival. Emilia Perez won two major awards, including the Jury Prize and a best actress nod for its ensemble female cast. Misericordia played at Cannes Premiere and recently screened at Telluride and Toronto, while The Count of Monte Cristo is a sweeping three-hour film that unspooled out of competition at Cannes.
Creative control and collaboration
If All We Imagine as Light is chosen as France’s entry, it must meet the Academy’s requirement that creative control of the film was largely in the hands of citizens or residents of the submitting country. Julian Graff of Petit Chaos explained that the company started developing the film with Kapadia in 2019, shortly after meeting her at the Berlinale. The project was paused during the pandemic, during which Kapadia made her feature debut with the documentary A Night of Knowing Nothing. Once the pandemic was over, Petit Chaos raised the financing for All We Imagine as Light and developed it creatively with Kapadia, who enlisted Indian co-producers for the project.
The future
Regarding the possibility of the film being picked by both countries as their Oscar candidates, Graff acknowledged the stiff competition and expressed cautious optimism. He noted that the film’s selection by India is not guaranteed, given the unpredictability of previous selections. However, he remains curious to see how the film will fare with both France and India’s Oscars committees.
All We Imagine as Light is a testament to the power of storytelling and the universal appeal of cinema. Its journey from Cannes to potentially representing two countries at the Oscars is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the collaborative spirit and creative vision of its makers.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit All We Imagine as Light.
Keywords: All We Imagine as Light, Payal Kapadia, Cannes Grand Prix, Oscar entry, international feature category, France, India, Petit Chaos, Spirit Media, Rana Daggubati, Zico Maitra, Chalk & Cheese Films, Emilia Perez, The Count of Monte Cristo, Misericordia, Anand Ekarshi, Aattam, Julian Graff, A Night of Knowing Nothing.