International
Texas University to show Global Lens Film series
MUMBAI: To promote cross-cultural awareness, the University of Texas-Pan American will be the first university in the UT System to show the Global Lens Film Series. With films from all over the world, the series offers a window into different traditions and rich cultural lessons.
Starting 9 September with Becloud (Vaho), a Mexican film directed by Alejandro Gerber Bicecci, the series films will be screened admission-free at the Student Union Theatre, and will be open to the public and UTPA community.
“This would be the best venue to see something on the big screen that I know of in the whole Valley, for a constant menu of foreign films, and well done films too,” said media and marketing librarian Virginia Gause. “Just because people come here from many countries doesn‘t mean the general public understands all these various cultures,”
Based in San Francisco, the Global Film Initiative is a non-profit film distributor created in 2002 by Susan Weeks Coulter, a former Peace Corps volunteer who decided to start the organization after the events on 9/11.
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.
