International
South Korean filmmaker to head Cannes jury
MUMBAI: The 64th Festival de Cannes has appointed South Korean filmmaker and scriptwriter Bong Joon-ho to preside over its Caméra d‘or jury. The Caméra d‘or is awarded to the best first film presented in the Official Selection during Critics‘ Week or Directors‘ fortnight.
Joon-ho achieved critical acclaim for his feature films Barking Dog (2000) and Memories of Murder (2004). His film The Host was screened in 2006 at the Directors‘ Fortnight at Cannes. He was invited to Cannes as part of the Official Selection with Tokyo! (2008), a trilogy on which he worked with Leos Carax and Michel Gondry. In 2009, he presented Mother at Un Certain Regard section of the festival.
Other film lumineries who have earlier presided over the Caméra d‘or jury are Bruno Dumont, Abbas Kiarostami, Pavel Lounguine, Roschdy Zem and Gael Garcia Bernal.
The Cannes Film Festival will run from 11 to 22 May.
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.
