Makes me so happy seeing a director from my country make such an intimate and grounded film and it be recognised internationally. Can't wait to see what Payal Kapadia has in store for us in the future. One the most promising young Indian directors rn.
Just to add something here. According to the Film Federation of India, the body that decides which film is going to the oscars, the head of the committee felt that this film was, and I am quoting ,"The jury felt that her film was very poor technically". Thank you for shedding light on how moronic the FFI is!
@@thefilmloner A lot to do with how our institutes, both govt and private are just filled with upper caste, Hindu sawarnas who get high off of their own farts and can't relate to a single average working class Indian while actively demeaning them. I mean there's a reason why they had no issue collaborating with the Brits while we were a colony.
It's amazing how well-researched this review was, especially with regards to the political themes covered in Payal Kapadia's movies. This is one of my favourite reviews for this movie. Can't wait to watch it when (if) it releases in India.
What a beautiful preview. There has been a lot of press on this film. Congrats to those in charge. Sadly, I don't live in a place where I can see it on a big screen. But what a joy global cinema is. It brings you into the lives of ordinary people's lives. It gives us a chance to see deep inside another part of the world, to share humanity, emotionally and visibly. Looking forward to seeing the complete film, even if only at home digitally. Thank you!
They didn't release this film until much later and that too a limited release because the director has supposedly annoyed the central government in a protest years back lol. Love to see the global recognition. Everyone's calling it a top 3 of the year atleast. They can't suppress our voice!!!!
Let me address the elephant in the room: I couldn't finish watching "All We Imagine as Light." Not because it's poorly made, but because it depicts a reality that surrounds me every day in Mumbai. This brings up a complex question: If this film hadn't received validation from Cannes, would it have generated the same level of discussion among us? There's something that feels almost formulaic about it - like a carefully constructed festival film that knows exactly which notes to hit. While I want to acknowledge that Payal Kapadia may be entirely genuine in her artistic vision, and that my viewpoint might be limited by my own biases, I still couldn't connect with the film in any meaningful way. My reaction made me reflect on how differently this film might resonate with European audiences versus those of us who live this reality. Many Malayalam films have left lasting impressions on me, staying in my thoughts long after watching them. But this one? It just felt... adequate. The heart of my disconnect might lie in our evolving relationship with Western validation. As an Indian audience member, I find myself questioning why we need to get quite so excited every time our stories receive approval from Western festivals. This isn't about dismissing international recognition, but rather about examining our own responses to it. I've been asking myself: Is there something I'm missing? Am I being unfair? Perhaps. But there's also value in acknowledging that not every critically acclaimed film will resonate with every viewer, and that's okay. Sometimes, when you live inside the reality a film is trying to portray, the artistic interpretation of that reality might feel less revelatory than it does to outside observers. What really interests me is why we sometimes seem to value international festival validation over our own lived experiences and reactions.
Very well said. Thank you for sharing this. Your perspective is incredibly valid and one that can get lost in the relentless praise of certain films. Speaking as an American, I hadn’t seen a film from India quite like this before; something that was so clearly influenced by many of the great European/East Asian auteurs I love, and that didn’t adhere to my admittedly ignorant idea of what Indian cinema is (maximalist action movies, Bollywood, etc.). You raised many important questions about the festival hype cycle and how an upbringing can inform someone’s reaction to a work…and I think those are important things to keep in mind that can sometimes get lost on me.
I think it's ok if this movie doesn't resonate with you, not every movie has to. Personally as an Indian woman, this movie resonated with me deeply, and I know many people who felt the same.
My only issue with the film is that it shows an Indian village as a refuge and safe space for the working class who essentially are the lower castes in India. And villages are worse than cities for all non-dominant castes. Otherwise a great case study of characters in Mumbai.
@@dobby3159director herself said the women protagonists are from non dominant castes and he is right, rural india is far more casteist than cities ( though mumbai is far better than any another cities of india ,in terms caste,race ,religion discrimination, women safety etc)
The rural areas are not shown as a refuge. No electricity, no toilet. Remember, in Mumbai the nurses had a flat with attached kitchen and toilet. This is where the characters come into their own and free if daily constraints, make decisions about their life.
Im from India, but this film is so overrated. May be in the next 10 years people will realise that. Just as Slumdog millionaire stole oscar from the dark knight.
@@aryan7767 Oh, thanks for the enlightenment, guru! Clearly, blindly following whatever wins during award season is the secret recipe to intellectual superiority. Let me know when you discover the 'real' directors' club - I'm sure they need more gatekeepers like you.
I saw the film in a hall which was full. When the film ended, the audience clapped, waiting till the credits rolled with the music. I saw it again. The same reaction from the audience. Try and watch the film without prejudice.
Makes me so happy seeing a director from my country make such an intimate and grounded film and it be recognised internationally. Can't wait to see what Payal Kapadia has in store for us in the future. One the most promising young Indian directors rn.
She has said she wants to make a Mumbai-set trilogy of films so that’s a very exciting prospect!
Omggg I cannot wait and will be seated in the theaters for each one.
real
Just to add something here. According to the Film Federation of India, the body that decides which film is going to the oscars, the head of the committee felt that this film was, and I am quoting ,"The jury felt that her film was very poor technically".
Thank you for shedding light on how moronic the FFI is!
Wow, what an absolutely baffling statement and a piss poor excuse for not wanting to engage with what this film has to offer. What a shame!
@@thefilmloner A lot to do with how our institutes, both govt and private are just filled with upper caste, Hindu sawarnas who get high off of their own farts and can't relate to a single average working class Indian while actively demeaning them. I mean there's a reason why they had no issue collaborating with the Brits while we were a colony.
It's amazing how well-researched this review was, especially with regards to the political themes covered in Payal Kapadia's movies. This is one of my favourite reviews for this movie. Can't wait to watch it when (if) it releases in India.
Thank you that’s very kind. Hope you love it as much as I do once you get the chance to see it!
The film already had a theatrical release in India in some of the major and tier-2 cities.. Its now streaming also on Disney+ Hotstar.
Saw this movie last week. It was so beautiful. It took me a little while to vibe with it but I totally did.
What a beautiful preview. There has been a lot of press on this film. Congrats to those in charge. Sadly, I don't live in a place where I can see it on a big screen. But what a joy global cinema is. It brings you into the lives of ordinary people's lives. It gives us a chance to see deep inside another part of the world, to share humanity, emotionally and visibly. Looking forward to seeing the complete film, even if only at home digitally. Thank you!
This is the best movie of 2024 and should be one of the frontrunners for Oscars in 2025.
How did Emilia Perez beat this film for a Golden Globe best foreign film ...HOWWWW
This is The Masterpiece from Indian Art Performance both acting and directing. So fantastics and inluminate to life.
Wow! This video essay is as perfect as the film. Beautifully done!
They didn't release this film until much later and that too a limited release because the director has supposedly annoyed the central government in a protest years back lol.
Love to see the global recognition. Everyone's calling it a top 3 of the year atleast. They can't suppress our voice!!!!
Let me address the elephant in the room: I couldn't finish watching "All We Imagine as Light." Not because it's poorly made, but because it depicts a reality that surrounds me every day in Mumbai. This brings up a complex question: If this film hadn't received validation from Cannes, would it have generated the same level of discussion among us?
There's something that feels almost formulaic about it - like a carefully constructed festival film that knows exactly which notes to hit. While I want to acknowledge that Payal Kapadia may be entirely genuine in her artistic vision, and that my viewpoint might be limited by my own biases, I still couldn't connect with the film in any meaningful way.
My reaction made me reflect on how differently this film might resonate with European audiences versus those of us who live this reality. Many Malayalam films have left lasting impressions on me, staying in my thoughts long after watching them. But this one? It just felt... adequate.
The heart of my disconnect might lie in our evolving relationship with Western validation. As an Indian audience member, I find myself questioning why we need to get quite so excited every time our stories receive approval from Western festivals. This isn't about dismissing international recognition, but rather about examining our own responses to it.
I've been asking myself: Is there something I'm missing? Am I being unfair? Perhaps. But there's also value in acknowledging that not every critically acclaimed film will resonate with every viewer, and that's okay. Sometimes, when you live inside the reality a film is trying to portray, the artistic interpretation of that reality might feel less revelatory than it does to outside observers.
What really interests me is why we sometimes seem to value international festival validation over our own lived experiences and reactions.
Very well said. Thank you for sharing this. Your perspective is incredibly valid and one that can get lost in the relentless praise of certain films. Speaking as an American, I hadn’t seen a film from India quite like this before; something that was so clearly influenced by many of the great European/East Asian auteurs I love, and that didn’t adhere to my admittedly ignorant idea of what Indian cinema is (maximalist action movies, Bollywood, etc.). You raised many important questions about the festival hype cycle and how an upbringing can inform someone’s reaction to a work…and I think those are important things to keep in mind that can sometimes get lost on me.
❤
I think it's ok if this movie doesn't resonate with you, not every movie has to. Personally as an Indian woman, this movie resonated with me deeply, and I know many people who felt the same.
I hope this gets nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars
Absolutely lovely review and essay on the film!
Thank you so much!
Amazing review! I really loved this movie but couldn't find the words to describe it to others. You summed it up perfectly.
Very interesting review 😊
My only issue with the film is that it shows an Indian village as a refuge and safe space for the working class who essentially are the lower castes in India. And villages are worse than cities for all non-dominant castes. Otherwise a great case study of characters in Mumbai.
Weird. Nowhere in the movie is the caste of the characters mentioned. I think you are casteist for assuming that they belong to lower caste.
@@dobby3159director herself said the women protagonists are from non dominant castes and he is right, rural india is far more casteist than cities ( though mumbai is far better than any another cities of india ,in terms caste,race ,religion discrimination, women safety etc)
The rural areas are not shown as a refuge. No electricity, no toilet. Remember, in Mumbai the nurses had a flat with attached kitchen and toilet.
This is where the characters come into their own and free if daily constraints, make decisions about their life.
No one's a loner in films.
malayalam movies on the come up rn
Hello where can I find the movie?
Disney+ hotstar
@ it's not available in my country , I even tried with a vpn but it denied my access. Do you know any other way i can watch it?
thanks
I used an app called stremio i have downloaded it in my laptop
Torrent
You mentioned Islamaphobia and Im out
Mid ahh movie
Im from India, but this film is so overrated. May be in the next 10 years people will realise that. Just as Slumdog millionaire stole oscar from the dark knight.
Radha Nolan ke alawa chi acche directory hote hai. thoda toh apna taste badhao agar time hai
😂😂😂😂
@@aryan7767 Oh, thanks for the enlightenment, guru! Clearly, blindly following whatever wins during award season is the secret recipe to intellectual superiority. Let me know when you discover the 'real' directors' club - I'm sure they need more gatekeepers like you.
Tere jaise log bas propaganda movie hi dekhenge
I saw the film in a hall which was full. When the film ended, the audience clapped, waiting till the credits rolled with the music.
I saw it again. The same reaction from the audience.
Try and watch the film without prejudice.