In a boost to Indian representation at the Cannes Film Festival, Kolkata-born filmmaker Upamanyu Bhattacharyya brings his animation film 'Heirloom' to the Marché du Film. The film, part of the HAF Goes to Cannes program, focuses on Ahmedabad's handloom heritage and the challenges it faces in the modern world. 'Heirloom' has been selected as one of five projects by the Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum. The film takes viewers back to 1960s Ahmedabad and explores the conflict between preserving heritage and embracing modernity. It combines raw 2D animation with traditional fabrics brought to life through stop-motion techniques. Bhattacharyya aims to draw international attention to Ahmedabad's textile culture and India's animation film industry. The film tells the story of Kirti and Sonal, a couple who discover a tapestry that reveals their family's rich history. While Kirti invests a fortune in establishing a handloom museum, Sonal believes they should focus on the powerloom company to secure their family's future. 'Heirloom' features hand-painted backgrounds and digitally animated characters. The Cannes lineup also includes notable works from alumni of the Film and Television Institute of India, as well as Indian films 'All We Imagine As Light,' 'In Retreat,' and 'Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know' [80370794].
In addition to 'Heirloom,' the Indian film 'All We Imagine As Light' by Payal Kapadia has also been selected for the Competition section at the Cannes Film Festival. This selection further highlights the growing presence of Indian cinema at the prestigious event [470c04db].