Indian director Payal Kapadia‘s debut feature film, All We Imagine as Light, has clinched the prestigious Grand Prix Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This accolade marks a significant milestone, as it is the first Indian film to win this honor in three decades.
Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light is the first Indian film to win a Grand Prix prize in 30 years
All We Imagine as Light emerged as a historic entry at Cannes and became the first Indian film to compete in the Grand Prix in 30 years. It is also the first film by an Indian female director to be featured in the main competition. Payal Kapadia, previously recognized at Cannes for her documentary work, received the Grand Prix from renowned American actor Viola Davis.
The director and her crew have been making headlines, from dancing on the red carpet to taking her three lead actresses to the stage to accept the award. During her acceptance speech, Payal Kapadia expressed her gratitude towards Kani Kusruti, Divya Prabha, and Chhaya Kadam. Furthermore, she credited the film’s success to their powerful performances.
Kapadia elaborated, “This film is about friendship, about three very different women. Oftentimes, women are pitted against each other. This is the way our society is designed and it is really unfortunate. But for me, friendship is a very important relationship because it can lead to greater solidarity, inclusivity, and empathy.”
The synopsis of the Malayalam-Hindi feature film reads, “In Mumbai, Nurse Prabha’s routine is troubled when she receives an unexpected gift from her estranged husband. Her younger roommate, Anu, tries in vain to find a spot in the city to be intimate with her boyfriend. A trip to a beach town allows them to find a space for their desires to manifest.” The film’s screening received an eight-minute standing ovation and was lauded by critics.
Despite her professional success, Payal Kapadia faces ongoing legal challenges. The director will appear in court next month. This is due to her involvement in the 2015 FTII protests against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as chairman.
