International
Cannes: Thurman to preside over Un Certain Regard Jury, Indian ‘Afternoon Clouds’ in shortlist
NEW DELHI: American actress Uma Thurman will preside over the Un Certain Regard jury of the 69th Cannes Film Festival next month.
The Un Certain Regard is the second competition of the Official Selection showcases works which offer a unique perspective and aesthetic. The prize list will be revealed on 27 May. She was a member of the Jury headed by Robert De Niro in 2011.
In a career spanning more than 20 years, the American actress has made some daring choices and enjoyed taking risks. She made her debut at the age of 17 in Stephen Frears’ Dangerous Liaisons and in Terry Gilliam’s The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. She became Quentin Tarantino’s muse, playing in Pulp Fiction (Palme d’or winner 1994) and in Kill Bill (volumes 1 & 2), both presented at the Festival de Cannes.
Since then, Uma Thurman has worked with many directors, including Andrew Niccol (Gattaca); Woody Allen (Sweet and Lowdown); Roland Joffé (Vatel) and Ethan Hawke (Chelsea Walls). She recently joined the cast of Lars von Trier’s new project, The House that Jack Built, alongside Matt Dillon and Bruno Ganz.
Her filmography encompasses everything from action films to science fiction; intimate dramas to light comedies. This wide variety is a testament to her free and independent spirit, nurtured by her childhood in a hippy family. Whether playing crazy, sexy or dominant, the woman whose namesake is the Hindu goddess of beauty and light has definitely entered the pantheon of movie greats, with several of her scenes attaining cult status.
Meanwhile, even as no Indian film finds a place in the official selection, only one Indian short film – from the Film and Television Institute of India – has made it to the 16 films shortlisted by the the Cinéfondation Selection of the Cannes International film festival to mark the 20th year of this section. The film is ‘Afternoon Clouds’ by Payal Kapadia and has a duration of 13 minutes.
The 16 films include 14 works of fiction and 2 animations from among the 2,600 works submitted this year by film schools from all over the world. Fourteen countries from three continents are represented. Four of the films selected come from schools taking part for the first time.
The three Cinéfondation prizes will be awarded at a ceremony preceding the screening of the prize-winning films on 26 May in the Buñuel Theatre.
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.
