Balan: The Boy takes a homegrown story to a global stage at Cannes
Malayalam film Balan: The Boy is set for a market screening at the Marché du Film during the Cannes Film Festival on May 14. Directed by Chidambaram, best known for Manjummel Boys , and written by Jithu Madhavan, the film brings together two distinctive voices in Malayalam
cinema.
Backed by Bengaluru-based KVN Productions and Thespian Films , Balan: The Boy explores themes of identity, survival, and the emotional bond between a mother and child. The film is slated for a commercial release in India in mid-June.
Chidambaram says the opportunity extends beyond his film to Malayalam cinema as a whole. “I am happy and grateful that the film is heading to Cannes, and excited for the world to see it. I’m short of words to express what this representation means to us. I’ve never been to Cannes before — this is my first time,” he says.
Calling the screening “a matter of immense pride,” Shailaja Desai Fenn of Thespian Films recalls her visit in 2022, and shares that she had promised herself she would return with a film. “With Balan: The Boy, that promise has come full circle. Some promises are worth every sleepless night,” she says.
KVN Productions describes the selection as a “significant step forward” for the banner. “Taking Balan: The Boy to Cannes is not just about one film, but about showcasing the kind of stories we want to tell as a production house. We’ve always believed in backing stories with a strong emotional core and wide appeal.”
cinema.
Backed by Bengaluru-based KVN Productions and Thespian Films , Balan: The Boy explores themes of identity, survival, and the emotional bond between a mother and child. The film is slated for a commercial release in India in mid-June.
Chidambaram says the opportunity extends beyond his film to Malayalam cinema as a whole. “I am happy and grateful that the film is heading to Cannes, and excited for the world to see it. I’m short of words to express what this representation means to us. I’ve never been to Cannes before — this is my first time,” he says.
Calling the screening “a matter of immense pride,” Shailaja Desai Fenn of Thespian Films recalls her visit in 2022, and shares that she had promised herself she would return with a film. “With Balan: The Boy, that promise has come full circle. Some promises are worth every sleepless night,” she says.
KVN Productions describes the selection as a “significant step forward” for the banner. “Taking Balan: The Boy to Cannes is not just about one film, but about showcasing the kind of stories we want to tell as a production house. We’ve always believed in backing stories with a strong emotional core and wide appeal.”
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