International
The Cove to show at Tokyo Intl Film Festival
MUMBAI: The Cove, a documentary about the annual dolphin hunt in the Japanese fishing village of Taiji, will be shown to Japan‘s general public for the first time at the Tokyo International Film Festival tomorrow.
The documentary features Ric O‘Barry, former dolphin trainer for the television show
Flipper, in his pursuit to stop Taiji‘s fishermen from catching and killing the mammals.
The film was added to the festival at the last minute because of growing worldwide interest in the U.S. documentary, said Tom Yoda, chairman for the event.
“We were just carefully looking at the situation overseas and there was growing attention about this film,” Yoda said at a news conference on 17 September, a day after announcing the film‘s inclusion in the festival. Because the documentary “became so hot, we decided to screen this film,” he said.
Japanese have been hunting dolphins for as long as 9,000 years, and Taiji‘s hunt is legal under international and domestic law, according to a website operated by the town‘s fishing association.
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.
