After an awaited span of three decades, an Indian film is set to grace the prestigious Cannes Film Festival’s top competition slot: Writer-director Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light.” The announcement came during a press conference in Paris, delivered by Iris Knobloch, the festival’s president, and Thierry Fremaux, the general-delegate. Kapadia’s inclusion marks a significant moment as one of only four female directors competing this year, down from seven in the previous edition.
Kapadia’s journey to Cannes isn’t unfamiliar, having garnered attention at the festival previously with “A Night of Not Knowing Nothing,” which secured the Golden Eye Award for Best Documentary in 2021. Now, with “All We Imagine As Light,” Kapadia ventures into the competition for the coveted Palme d’Or, alongside luminaries such as Francis Ford Coppola, Sean Baker, and Andrea Arnold.
The Indo-French production narrates the story of Prabha, a nurse, and her younger friend Anu, embarking on a road trip to a beach town, where they navigate their dreams and desires. Also, British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s debut feature, “Santosh,” has been selected for Un Certain Regard, further highlighting India’s presence at Cannes beyond the competition segment.
Despite the rarity of Indian films in Cannes competitions over the festival’s 77-year history, the inclusion of “All We Imagine As Light” signifies a significant moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.
