International
Sofia Coppola bags Golden Lion for Somewhere
MUMBAI: After Mira Nair bagged the Golden Lion for Monsoon Wedding at the Venice Film Festival in 2001, Sofia Coppola has bagged the same for her film Somewhere this year. Golden Lion is presented as a best film award.
In 2003, Coppola became only the third woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for directing Lost in Translation that starred Bill Murray. Her other films include The Virgin Suicide and Marie Antoinette.
Spain‘s Alex de la Iglesia picked up the Silver Lion for Best Director for A Sad Trumpet Ballad. The film also nabbed the best screenplay award.
Polish director Jerzy Skolimowski‘s political thriller Essential Killing received the Special Jury Prize.
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.
