International
Locarno Fest announces lineup
MUMBAI: The Locarno Film Festival, that takes place between 3 and 13 August, has announced the full slate for its 64th edition that would be held in Locarno, Switzerland.
Major American titles like Jon Favreau‘s Cowboys and Aliens, Nicolas Winding Refn‘s Drive, Kevin Smith‘s Red State, J.J. Abrams‘ Super 8 and Will Gluck‘s Friends With Benefits will vie with an eclectic mix of international films.
This includes 14 world premieres in the competitive Concorso internazionale section. Films that would be screened in the latter programme include Mike Cahill‘s Another Earth, Danielle Arbid‘s Beirut Hotel, Nicholas Klotz‘s Low Life, Julia Loktev‘s The Loneliest Planet, Marco Van Geffen‘s Onders On and Mia-Hansen Love‘s Un Amour de Jeunesse.
Said artistic director of the festival Olivier P?re in a statement, “This competition, both open-minded and demanding, brings together several major names in contemporary cinema who have already produced a body of work that has been acclaimed at many festivals – Locarno regulars, and those invited for the first time, as well as young auteurs from all over the world whose talent and skill already prove they are ripe for international competition.”
He also noted that the festival, while “faithful to its origins,” was also looking forward and continues “its adventurous course, always attentive to change in film and the emergence of new talent.”
Those expected to attend this 64th edition include Claudia Cardinale, Ingrid Caven, Kabir Bedi, Guy Bedos, Abel Ferrara, Mike Medavoy, Bruno Ganz, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Claude Goretta, Hitoshi Matsumoto, Kati Outinen, Pierre Richard, Maribel Verdu, Anri Sala, Daniel Brühl and Nicolas Winding Refn.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
