International
75 long-lost silent movies being returned to US (AP)
MUMBAI: As many as 75 long-lost silent films traced in the New Zealand Film Archive vault will be sent back to the United States. Among the films found in storage is the copy of Upstream a drama by legendary director John Ford and a period drama starring the 1920s screen icon Clara Bow.
Sadly, only 15 per cent of the silent films made by Ford have survived. Said, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Christopher Finlayson that the find is important as there are no prints remaining in the US.
Film Archive corporate services manager Steve Russell said that the films were discovered when American preservationist Brian Meacham visited New Zealand last year. Many of the films remained in New Zealand because distributors at the time did not think the return shipping costs were worth the expense.
Returning the films will cost the US National Film Preservation Foundation around $ 500,000. The late Ford‘s 1927 film Upstream was being copied onto safety stock in New Zealand to prevent further damage in transit.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hopes to screen the restored film in September. Copies of the films are to be made available in New Zealand through the Film Archive.
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.
