Pan Nalin’s ‘LAST FILM SHOW’ hits International Cinemas with its first Theatrical Release in Spain in March 2022
Award-winning filmmaker Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film, Last Film Show (“Chhello Show”), which opened at the Spotlight section of Tribeca Film Festival, is all set to hit International cinemas in the coming weeks—becoming the first Gujarati film to find overseas release in the post-pandemic world. As India celebrated Holi on 18th March, Last Film Show, produced by ‘Jugaad Motion Pictures’ and ‘Monsoon Films’, colours the global horizon with its theatrical release in Spain. Ready to take on the cinema screens across Spain as “La Ultima Pelicula”, Last Film Show is the first Gujarati film to be dubbed entirely in Spanish. Last Film Show’s release in Spain only marks the beginning of the film’s release in more cinema theatres across the globe, including Germany, Israel, Taiwan and soon, India. This Indo-French co-production, which is represented by French giants, UGC and ORANGE Studio, has already garnered tremendous appreciation on the global film circuit by sweeping top accolades at prestigious International film festivals like Tribeca, Seminci, Mill Valley, among others.
Last
Film Show is a sweet ode to the magic of cinema, told through the eyes of a
young boy in the remote village of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Speaking of the film,
Pan Nalin, best known for his films, “Samsara”, “Angry Indian Goddesses” and
“Valley of Flowers”, says, “When we were making the film, we didn’t realise
that the world would go this way. The film celebrates the big-screen experience
of going to cinema halls and watching a film with family and friends, which is
irreplaceable”.
"The
disappearance of India's single-screen culture and 35mm celluloid film largely
forms the backdrop of Last Film Show. The film is released at a time when the
film industry globally is witnessing the death of the 35mm format. The new
formats have opened doors for storytellers, and films like Last Film Show have
the potential to connect with audiences globally, breaking all language
barriers”, says Dheer Momaya, the co-founder of Jugaad Motion Pictures and
producer of Last Film Show.
Shot
in the beautiful, scenic landscapes of the grassroots of India, the film will
put heritage tourism in Gujarat on the global map. The film stars six young
boys from indigenous tribe communities of Gujarat. The film also highlights
some of the amazing vistas of India like beautiful railway stations, natural
vistas of Saurashtra, breathtaking lakes of Gujarat, Lions, and wildlife of
Sasan Gir, including long picturesque stretches that are unique to the state.
To Pan Nalin, shooting the film in real locations from villages to railways to
schools made him feel nostalgic about his childhood. “Everything seemed the
same to me. Even though people have moved forward in life, the tradition and
the culture is still preserved”. Loosely based on Pan Nalin’s own experiences,
who was born in a small village in the Amreli district of Gujarat, Last Film
Show tells the story of a young boy who begins a lifelong love affair with
cinema when he bribes his way into a rundown movie palace and spends a summer
watching movies from the projection booth.
Speaking
of why this is such an important story to him, producer Dheer Momaya says, “Pan
Nalin’s origin story was so fascinating, that I was convinced it had to be
told. Most writer/directors in India come from some sort of
cultural/economically endowed backgrounds, and have had access to the basics of
education and exposure to film (even if it was just the ability to watch) from
a very young age. For Nalin it was quite the opposite, he was watching and
making movies in his head before he even knew about the existence of cinema.
Moreover, while this is a personal reflection of his life experiences, the
themes explored through the story are quite universal. Last Film Show is a celebration
of cinema, more than just a love letter. It accentuates the nostalgia that most
of us feel about our relationship with the theatrical experience. It reminds me
of that first time I watched a film in the cinema, and the astonished wonder I
was left with. Something, we have come to take for granted in the digital age”.
The
main credits in the film includes Bhavin Rabari (as Samay), Bhavesh Shrimali
(as Fazal, Projectionist at the Galaxy Cinema), Richa Meena (as Baa, Samay’s
mother), Dipen Raval (as Bapuji Samay’s father), Paresh Mehta (Galaxy Cinema
Manager), Vikas Bata (as Nano), Rahul Koli (as Manu), Shoban Makwa (as
Badshah), Kishan Parmar (as S.T.), Vijay Mer (as Tiku), Alpesh
Tank (as Teacher Mr. Dave), and Tia Sebastien (as Leela Mila).
When
the magic of movies conquers nine-year young Samay’s heart, he moves heaven and
earth in pursuit of his 35mm dreams unaware of heartbreaking times that await
him. Watch out for this masterpiece by writer-director Pan Nalin. him. Watch
out for this masterpiece by writer-director Pan Nalin.
Film Synopsis:
Set
in the remote Indian countryside of 2010, Last Film Show is an ode to cinema
and the wonder movies create for all those who experience its magic. After
watching a movie at the Indian Galaxy Cinema, young, free-spirited SAMAY’s life
turns upside down as he passionately falls in love with films. He steals money
from his father’s struggling small tea shop, and skips school to watch movies.
Samay and his gang passionately begin to create their own 35mm movie of their
dreams. Soon Samay’s father discovers his nine-year old son’s ‘immoral’
obsession with the movies and physically punishes him and warns him to stay
away from the ‘filthy’ world of films. For Samay it is too late as he is already
smitten by the world of movies. Continuing to pursue his obsession with the
movie, Samay’s path crosses with FAZAL, the projectionist at the Galaxy Cinema.
They strike a deal. Samay will let him eat the delicious food that his mother
has lovingly made for him.- in return for Fazal letting him watch movies all
day from the projection room. In no time their "food-for-films" deal
turns into an endearing long- lasting friendship. Soon however, the unlikely
duo will be forced to make heartbreaking choices as an era of change is
sweeping through the countr
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