International
Philip Hoffman’s film to premiere at Toronto fest
MUMBAI: Fairport native Philip Seymour Hoffman‘s directorial debut Jack Goes Boating will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) next month. The film, adapted from Bob Glaudini‘s acclaimed off-Broadway play, is a story about two working class New York City couples that explores love, betrayal, friendship and grace.
The festival that runs from 9 to 19 September will also feature Malcolm Venville‘s Henry‘s Crime. The film starring Keanu Reeves is a story about a man wrongly convicted for bank robbery who decides to pull a heist for real after he‘s released from prison was shot in Buffalo.
Films of other actors-turned-directors premiering at the festival include Ben Affleck‘s The Town; Robert Redford‘s The Conspirator, David Schwimmer‘s Trust and Emilio Estevez‘s The Way. Also premiering will be Miral by Julian Schnabel that has Freida Pinto in the tale of a girl growing up in war-torn East Jerusalem.
TIFF has long been a showcase for potential Academy Awards contenders and big fall releases.
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.
