Long queue and chaos ahead the screening of All We Imagine As Light at IFFK
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Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light continues to draw attention from film enthusiasts, even after its theatrical release across India on November 22. The movie, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes and received Golden Globe nominations for Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film, saw an overwhelming crowd at the 29th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
At its only screening during the festival, held at Tagore Theatre—one of the main venues—audiences began queuing as early as 2 pm for unreserved seats, with the reserved line starting at 4 pm. The film’s showtime was scheduled for 6 pm, but by then, the queues had extended all over the premises of the venue. While some skipped earlier scheduled films to ensure they wouldn’t miss the screening, others skipped lunch to find a spot in the queue and a seat in the theatre.
Probably a usual sight at the IFFK venues, this movie also witnessed long queues around Tagore Theatre, with clashes over queue-cutting and disputes about entry into the theatre. To manage the situation, eight police officers were deployed. The immense turnout raised a question: Why such a rush for a film that had already been released in theatres?
Delegates take on the crowd
“In Thiruvananthapuram, the film was primarily screened in theatres run by KSFDC, and it was overshadowed by mainstream films like Sookshmadarshini,” said Akhil T K, a film professional from Kozhikode. “Many of us couldn’t find accessible screenings,” he added.
For some, the IFFK screening offered more than just a chance to watch the film. “The audience here is different from mainstream moviegoers,” said Nihal Mujeed, a student from Kozhikode. “Even as we stand in the queue, we discuss the film with friends and other delegates. Watching it here provides the authentic IFFK experience and I’m here for that,” he explained.
Vijayakumar, a retired government employee and regular attendee of IFFK for the past 20 years, echoed similar sentiments. “The post-movie discussions are as important as the film itself. That’s why I chose to watch it here,” he said.
However, the film’s single screening at IFFK left many disappointed. Given its reception and popularity, many delegates felt that the organisers should have scheduled at least two or three screenings.
All We Imagine As Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, explores resilience and identity through the intertwined lives of two women grappling with personal and societal struggles in modern India.