International
Child’s Pose wins Golden Bear at Berlin Film Fest
MUMBAI: Child‘s Pose, a Romanian drama about a domineering mother using her social position to try to save her son from jail, has won the Golden Bear for best film at the recently concluded Berlin Film Festival.
The film directed by Calin Peter Netzer and starring Luminita Gheorghiu in the central role, had been among the favourites for the coveted prize.
In Child‘s Pose, Gheorghiu shines as the wealthy 60-year-old Cornelia who attempts to buy off the poor family of a boy killed by her son in a road accident.
“I‘m still shell-shocked,” Netzer reportedly told the press after she picked the award. “I haven‘t quite woken up to this new reality. It will probably take a couple of days for it to sink in.”
The veteran has actress also appeared in Cristian Mungiu‘s 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, an abortion drama that put Romanian cinema firmly on the international map when it won the Palme d‘Or at the Cannes film festival in 2007.
The big surprise on the night was the best actor award for Nazif Mujic, a Bosnian Roma who had to be convinced to play himself in “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker” about his own experiences on the fringes of society.
The film, a docu-drama directed by Danis Tanovic and made for 30,000 euros captured hearts in Berlin for its straightforward storytelling and moving account of the impoverished Mujic‘s desperate attempts to pay for his wife‘s emergency operation.
The awards ceremony brought to a close the 11-day cinema showcase, where hundreds of films were screened across Berlin.
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.
