Women’s issues in India are being brought to international screens at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in France - the first Indian film to compete in 30 years.

Cannes

Women's issues in India have gained international attention with the selection of an Indian film for competition at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, marking the first entry from India in 30 years. Directed by Payal Kapadia, "All We Imagine as Light" tells the story of two women living together in an Indian apartment and navigating a society dominated by men.

Kapadia emphasizes that the film is not solely about women in India, but rather about female friendship and universal struggles against patriarchy. The film explores themes of independence, financial freedom, sexual desire, and the complexities of female relationships in a context where these issues remain sensitive.

The film's selection coincides with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political party campaign, which focuses on women's welfare through initiatives like cash handouts and domestic benefits. However, critics point out the government's mixed record on addressing crime against women in India.



India's Cannes Film Festival entry highlights women's rights

Women's issues in India are being brought to international screens at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in France, the first Indian film to compete in 30 years. I feel really privileged to be here because it's not a very big film and it was just really nice to get this honor. Payal Kapadia is the director of All We Imagine as Light, a film that tells the story of two women sharing an apartment in India and the challenges they face in a male dominated society. I don't think it's specifically about women in India, it's a film about friendship and I think that's a universal thing and whether it's India or anywhere else, every woman suffers under the binds of patriarchy and that sort of comes in the way of female friendship and this was one of the core themes of my film. The two female protagonists explore together the meaning of independence, financial freedom, sexual desire and female friendship in a country where such topics are often taboo. The film comes as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political party is running a campaign focused on women's welfare, including cash handouts and domestic benefits, but his government has a mixed record in tackling the rate of crime against women.

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