Palm Springs

LAST FILM SHOW / INDIA

110 min, Coming-of-Age Drama, directed by Pan Nalin

Language: Gujarati

Shortlisted for Best International Film for the 95th Academy Awards 2023

@ the 34th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUDMzloKBxw 

Synopsis: Samay, a 9-year-old boy living with his family in a remote village in India discovers films for the first time and is absolutely mesmerized. Against his father's wishes, he returns to the cinema day after day to watch more films, and even befriends the projectionist, who, in exchange for his lunch box, lets him watch movies for free. He quickly figures out that stories become light, light becomes films, and films become dreams. Samay and his wild gang of friends move heaven and earth to catch and project light to achieve a 35mm film projection. Together, they use an innovative hack and jubilantly succeed in making a film projection apparatus. But following your dreams often means leaving things behind.

Interesting points about the film:

• Last Film Show is partly autobiographical and was filmed in Saurashtra, India, Director Pan Nalin’s home region. The story is set against the backdrop of Indian cinemas witnessing a massive transition from celluloid to digital where hundreds of single-screen cinemas are either in ruins or have disappeared altogether.

• The movie kicked off Tribeca’s Film Festival’s Spotlight Program, the first in-person screening after a year of Covid. The film was nominated for the Audience Award in the Narrative section at the 20th Tribeca Film Festival. 

• Pan Nalin is known for his eclectic and visually striking body of work including “Samsara”  “Valley of Flowers” “Faith Connections” and “Angry Indian Goddesses.” He was recently invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in its Directors’ Branch, Class of 2022. Nalin’s debut film SAMSARA was acquired by Miramax after its World Premiere at TIFF Toronto 2001. SAMSARA was released in 70 countries and it was a massive critical and commercial success, even achieving “cult classic” status. 

• Film Federation India (FFI) voted unanimously to select Chhello Show (Last Film Show) for India’s official Oscar contender. As FFI President TP Aggarwal stated: “All [17 members] said we need this film…this was completely the jury’s decision..”

• The film takes place in 2010, at the tail end of celluloid film projection. In Nalin’s own words: “Until around this time, films around the world were shot on celluloid and projected with a 35mm projector. Around 2010/2011 many experiments in digital projection were carried out and ultimately most theaters installed digital projectors….this change made hundreds of thousands of projectionists jobless…[and] during those 2-3 years hundreds of thousands of projectors were trashed. Miles and miles of films were recycled.” 

• Six village boys from local communities in Saurashtra were cast to play Samay and his gang of film buffs. The film was shot in villages and a railway station around the region, and Nalin brought old celluloid Hindi films and a technician to run projectors. 

• Unfortunately, child actor Rahul Koli (who played Samay’s best friend) passed away shortly before the film’s premiere in October. He had suffered from leukemia, and the tragic loss was felt by all who worked on the film. He was ten years old. 

Film website https://www.lastfilmshow.net/