International
True Grit will open Berlin Fest today
MUMBAI: Kicking off the 10-day cinema showcase, the 2011 Berlin film festival is opening on Thursday with Coen Brothers‘ True Grit.
The Western remake has already been released in North America and hence is not eligible for prizes at the closing ceremony on 19 February 19. The film, a story of a young girl‘s quest to track down her father‘s killer, stars Jeff Bridges, Hailee Steinfeld, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.
The film has garnered 10 Academy Award nominations, second only to The King‘s Speech.
However, the spotlight on the opening day is likely to fall on absentee Iranian director Jafar Panahi who was invited to be on the jury.
This year, the festival aims to promote 3D, with the premieres of Wim Wender‘s 3D dance film Cave of Forgotten Dreams about choreographer Pina Bausch and Werner Herzog‘s prehistoric paintings in France.
In competition would be French director Michel Ocelot‘s 3D film Tales of the Night. Also in competition would be British actor Ralph Fiennes‘ directorial debut Coriolanus.
Besides hosting world premieres and show business parties, the Berlin Festival runs a major film market where buyers and sellers meet on the sidelines of the festival in search of distribution and production deals.
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.
