International
Books to read before they hit Indian theatres in 2014
MUMBAI: Here’s the review of the eighth book in the 10-part series that features books being adapted into Hollywood movies in 2014.
The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History – Robert M. Edsel with Bret Witter
The Nazis pulled off the greatest art heist in history. These guys are stealing it back!
Edsel’s historical biography of an ‘untold true story’ takes place during the World War II when the Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler was attempting to take over the western world. At the same time, his armies were methodically seeking and hoarding the finest art treasures in Europe. The Fuehrer had begun cataloguing the art he planned to collect as well as the art he would destroy, the “degenerate” works that he despised. The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History stands at 3.79/5 of 6,477 ratings on Goodreads.
In a race against time, eight men in the forward operating theatre of the newly created Monuments, Fine Arts, and Archives section (MFAA), also known as The Monuments Men risk their lives scouring Europe to prevent the destruction of thousands of years of culture. The Monuments Men is the story of their lives when they are tasked with entering Germany with the Allied forces during the closing stages of World War II to rescue artworks plundered by the Nazis, saving them from destruction or damage, and returning them to their rightful owners. They consist of America’s top art conservator; an up-and-coming young museum curator; a sculptor; a straight-arrow architect; a gay New York cultural impresario; and an infantry private with no prior knowledge of or appreciation for art, but first-hand experience as a victim of the Nazi regime.
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The live action motion picture adaptation of The Monuments Men boasts a stellar cast lead by Academy Award winner George Clooney (Gravity), who’s also helmed the film, Academy Award winner Matt Damon (Behind the Candelabra), Golden Globe Award winner Bill Murray (Lost in Translation), Golden Globe award winner John Goodman (Argo), Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin (The Artist), Screen Actors Guild Award winner Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) with Academy Award nominee Bob Balaban (Gosford Park) and Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine).
The Monuments Men hits Indian theaters 7 February.
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.
