#France #Cannes #Mayilaa #Newton Cinema #Salim Ahamed

Newton Cinema's Cannes Debut

On the 12th of May, Newton Cinema will officially announce its presence in the film industry with a special screening of MAYILAA at the Lérins Cinéma Club during the prestigious Cannes Film Market, known as Marché du Film. This momentous occasion highlights Newton Cinema's commitment to presenting unique voices in cinema through a rich array of films showcased in various languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English, French, and German. The goal is to make striking contributions to world cinema through artistic bravery and a fresh perspective.

Among the films being introduced, LEFTOVER represents Salim Ahamed's fifth directorial effort. Principal cast members include Arjun Radhakrishnan, Zarin Shihab, Tanmay Dhanania, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Roshan Mathew. The screenplay for this anticipated film is co-written by Ahamed himself and P. V. Shajikumar. Critical production elements include cinematography by Sharan Velayudhan, editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, and music composed by Christo Xavier.

Ahamed is widely recognized for his acclaimed work on “Adaminte Makan Abu”, which won four Indian National Film Awards and was nominated as India’s official submission for the Oscars. His previous hits, such as Pathemari, Kunjananthante Kada, and And the Oscar Goes To…, have established him as a formidable voice in Indian cinema. The narrative of LEFTOVER is said to rise from themes of silence, memory, and moral urgency, aiming to convey profound human experience without melodrama. Ahamed expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to present this film to the international film community in collaboration with Newton Cinema.

The film MAYILAA has previously premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and was acclaimed with a Audience Award in Toulouse, generating considerable excitement around its leads and narrative. This screening will set the bar for LEFTOVER, with the world premiere details expected to be shared shortly.

In addition to LEFTOVER and MAYILAA, Newton Cinema also showcases an impressive program that includes The Gambler, directed by Prasanna Vithanage, featuring talents such as Prakash Raj and Shweta Basu Prasad; The Sorbonne Conspiracy, another work by Ahamed; and The Wild Hunt directed by Nithin Lukose, a TIFF alumnus.

Newton Cinema is currently in advanced talks with international distribution agencies to manage festival tours and theatrical releases for all of its featured titles, maintaining the studio's momentum and outreach. Anto Chittilappilly, the founder and CEO of Newton Cinema, emphasizes that the studio’s objective is to create a haven for auteur filmmakers with distinguishing characteristics and social conscience. The aim is to ensure that compelling and necessary narratives make it to the global cinema stage, offering a platform for underrepresented voices.

With operational bases in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Colombo, and Kochi, India, Newton Cinema stands as a beacon for new filmmakers committed to telling impactful stories. This Cannes debut not only marks a significant milestone for the company but also enhances its narrative on global platforms, paving the way for future artistic endeavors.