EnglishFestivals - FCAD 2024 : All We Imagine As Light Captivates Audiences at Deauville’s 50th Edition
By Mulder, Deauville, Centre International de Deauville, 10 september 2024
The 50th Deauville American Film Festival continues to celebrate bold and impactful storytelling, with All We Imagine As Light, directed by Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia, emerging as one of the standout films in this year’s lineup. After its Cannes Grand Prix win earlier in 2024, the film has once again found itself in the spotlight, captivating audiences with its exploration of complex female relationships against the backdrop of contemporary Mumbai.
All We Imagine As Light follows the intertwining lives of two women—Prabha, a nurse in Mumbai, and Anu, her younger roommate. Both navigate personal struggles in an urban environment that offers little privacy or space for emotional expression. While Prabha receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband, Anu seeks intimacy with her boyfriend amidst the chaos of city life. A brief escape to a seaside town becomes a moment of liberation for both women, revealing desires and emotions that the constraints of their daily lives had kept hidden.
The film, which premiered at Cannes and earned an eight-minute standing ovation, reflects Kapadia’s unique directorial voice. Her portrayal of sisterhood, empathy, and the strength of female friendships takes center stage. Kapadia has expressed that she aimed to challenge societal norms that often pit women against each other, instead focusing on solidarity and emotional connection. This thematic depth resonated strongly with the audience at Deauville, highlighting the universal appeal of these stories even in such a culturally specific setting.
Produced by an international coalition of companies from India, France, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Italy, All We Imagine As Light exemplifies the power of cross-cultural collaborations. Its distribution journey has been equally remarkable, as it is set to hit U.S. theaters in November 2024, with previous releases planned in France and the UK.
The Deauville American Film Festival has long been a platform for films that push boundaries, and All We Imagine As Light certainly fits that mold. With its thoughtful exploration of urban life, relationships, and personal liberation, the film serves as a reminder of the potential for cinema to transcend geographical and cultural barriers. As Deauville celebrates its 50th edition, Payal Kapadia’s work stands as a testament to the global nature of storytelling today, continuing to inspire conversations on and off the screen.
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Synopsis:
Without news of her husband for years, Prabha, a nurse in Mumbai, forbids herself any sentimental life. Meanwhile, Anu, her young roommate, is secretly seeing a young man she has no right to love. During a stay in a coastal village, these two women, whose desires are blocked, finally glimpse the promise of a new freedom.
All We Imagine as Light
Written and directed by Payal Kapadia
Produced by Thomas Hakim, Julien Graff
Starring Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, Chhaya Kadam, Hridhu Haroon
Music : Topshe
Director of photography: Ranabir Das
Editing: Clément Pinteaux
Production companies: Petit Chaos, Chalk & Cheese Films, BALDR Film, Les Films Fauves, Another Birth, Pulpa Films, Arte France Cinéma
Distributed by Condor Distribution (France), September Film (Netherlands)
Release date: May 23, 2024 (Cannes), October 2, 2024 (France)
Running time: 115 minutes
Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville