The famous Malayalam movie Amma Ariyan (1986) has been chosen for a special screening at the 79th Cannes Film Festival this month. It is the only Indian feature film selected for a world premiere at the festival, which runs from May 12 to 23.
A New Look for a Classic
The film has been carefully repaired and updated to 4K quality so it looks better than ever. This was a difficult task because only two old film prints of the movie still exist. The work was done by the Film Heritage Foundation to ensure this important piece of history is saved.
What is the Movie About?
- The Story: Set in Kerala, the movie follows a group of activists traveling to tell a mother that her son has died.
- The Style: It mixes a made-up story with real-life documentary styles.
- The Director: It was the final film by John Abraham, who was known for making unique and political movies before he passed away in 1987.
Why It’s Important
Many people consider Amma Ariyan one of the most important Indian films ever made. To celebrate this achievement, the film’s lead actor Joy Mathew, the cameraman Venu, and the editor Bina Paul will all travel to Cannes to present the movie to a global audience.
