International
Polanski apologises to victim in new documentary
MUMBAI: Directing his apology to Samantha Greimer, the woman he sexually assaulted 33 years ago, Roman Polanski has made a new documentary that had its world premiere Tuesday at the Zurich Film Festival.
"She is a double victim: my victim and a victim of the press," the director says near the end of the documentary Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir.
The film, shot while Polanski was under house arrest in Switzerland two years ago awaiting possible extradition, offers little new information not already in the public record.
It is also unlikely to sway anyone on the fence in the Polanski case. The film — one long, wide-ranging conversation between Polanski and his old friend and colleague, producer Andrew Braunsberg.
The Greimer case takes up only a small portion of the film while the bulk of the film is dedicated to Polanski‘s childhood in German-occupied Poland, including his escape from the Warsaw ghetto and his early life and career.
Polanski chose to use the 2011 Zurich Film Festival as the platform for the world premiere of the documentary, picking the date almost two years to the day when he was arrested en route to a ceremony to receive a lifetime achievement award.
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.
