International
Cannes Classics line-up announced
MUMBAI: Fourteen films including the colour version of Georges Melies famous A Trip to the Moon will be part of the Cannes Classics at the 64th festival de Cannes. The programme also comprises five documentaries and a Masterclass by actor Malcolm McDowell.
The films that have been singled out for Cannes Classics are A Trip to the Moon, Clockwork Orange,The Machine to Kill Bad People, A Bronx Tale , The Conformist , Sugar Cane Alley, Puzzle of a Downfall Child, The Law of the Border, No Man’s Land , The Children of Paradise, Despair, The Savage , Chronicle of a Summer and The Assassin.
Documentaries that would be screened are: The Look, Corman’s World: Exploits Of A Hollywood Rebel, Belmondo … Itineraire, Kurosawa’s Way and Once Upon a Time … A Clockwork Orange.
Established in 2004, Cannes Classics showcases heritage cinema, re-discovered films, restored prints and theatrical, television or DVD releases of the great works of the past.
Mrinal Sen’s Khandahar and Ritwik Ghatak’s Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (A River Called Titas) were presented in this section last year.
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.
