International
Stephen Baldwin making doc on oil spill
MUMBAI: Risk of offshore drilling is the topic of Stephen Baldwin‘s latest $1.5 million documentary The Will to Drill.
The focus of the film will be the impact of the current oil spill and its devastating, and almost certainly long-lasting, effects on the people and economy of the US Gulf Coast.
Talking on whether British Petroleum would be taken to task for its role in the accident, Baldwin was of the view that “everyone is to blame for this oil thing, for our over-dependence on it. Not just one company.”
“I want to talk to the world with this film. I want to create the story of the impact that then crescendos into motivating people to be pro-active in their own choices,” adds Baldwin.
For this film, Baldwin has involved his old friend and mentor Paul Cohen, a filmmaker and current director of Florida State University‘s Torchlight Center. Cohen was also associated with The Cove as an associate producer.
On his part, Baldwin has already shot some aerial footage of the devastated areas in south Louisiana. He plans to shoot for two months with mostly local crews and to finish editing by the end of September. The film is expected to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January next.
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.
