- The best movie encompasses everything we want to see in a great film: good storytelling, moving performances, technically appealing, visually intoxicating and heartfelt connectivity to audiences: Janet Nepales and Pitof Jean-Christophe
- Film is also releasing on Netflix from 25th November, 2022 only in India.
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
Pan Nalin’s globally-celebrated ‘Last Film Show’ (‘Chhello Show’) has bagged the coveted top prize at Hollywood’s Asian World Film Festival.
This year’s AWFF (Asian World Film Festival) 8th edition saw many celebrated titles from across Asia and Eastern Europe competing for this highly coveted Snow Leopard prize leading up to the Oscar buzz. This year festival opened with the South Korean hit movie The Hunt by Lee Jung-jae and the closing film was Decision To Leave by Park Wan-chook. The line-up also included many Asian films that are entries to the 95th Oscars.
Before awarding the Snow Leopard for the Best Picture to ‘Last Film Show,’ jury gave their unanimous verdict and presented their statement to the packed Saban Theater in Beverly Hills, “The best movie encompasses everything we want to see in a great film: good storytelling, moving performances, technically appealing, visually intoxicating and heartfelt connectivity to audiences. We received a line of very good movies this year and it was a tough decision. But this film reminded us of why we loved cinema. It reminded us of cinema’s ability to both enchant and inspire. It is a love letter to cinema to light and to life itself. The film is an ode to movie-going as well as movie-making. It celebrates film and cinematic experience,” said Janet Nepales and Pitof Jean-Christophe.
Writer-Director Pan Nalin and Producer Dheer Momaya were presented with the trophy. Nalin while accepting the award said, “What an honour, what we did in our solitude continues to echo in multitudes across the world. Through the Last Film Show we not only wanted to entertain you but bring you close to that child in you, so that you can witness the fearlessness of coming-of-age drama. Last Film Show, which is a semi-autobiographical story, has now found a new home in the hearts of Asian audiences. We are so much looking forward to its theatrical release in Japan on 20th Jan 2023 followed by South Korea. We want to thank this distinguished jury for showing your faith in Last Film Show.”
Producer Dheer Momaya added, “This Award comes at right time while we are occupied with the screenings for 95th Academy Awards Oscars. In our ever-evolving world to have the Asian World Film Festival in heart of Hollywood is indeed an excellent feat. For one year, we have insisted in keeping Last Film Show in theatres only experience, so today this award restores our faith in Cinema and collective movie-going experience.”
Inspired by director Pan Nalin’s own childhood, ‘Last Film Show’ (‘Chhello Show’) follows the dreams and aspirations of a nine-year-old boy, Samay (Bhavin Rabari), in rural Gujarat, India. It is a part-autobiographical drama that captures the charm of the western region of Gujarat while paying homage to the cinema of the past. It is a reminder of childhood innocence and the universal magic of the movies.
The film stars Bhavin Rabari, Vikas Bata, Richa Meena, Bhavesh Shrimali, Dipen Raval and Rahul Koli. The story is set against the backdrop of cinemas in India witnessing a massive transition from celluloid to digital, where hundreds of single-screen cinemas stand dilapidated or have disappeared altogether.
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 the heartbreaking times that await him.
Film is also releasing on Netflix on 25th Nov, 2022 only in India.
Continuing to bring the finest cinema to audiences across the world, Chhello Show (Last Film Show) India’s official entry to the 95th Academy Awards will be starting its OTT journey in India.
The film has been nominated and screened at prestigious film festivals across the world like Tribeca, Buenos Aires International festival of independent cinema amongst others. It also won best picture at the recent Asian World Film Festival in Los Angeles.
Director Pan Nalin said, “Last Film Show is a celebration of films, food, friends, and family and now audiences across India can do exactly that from the comfort of their homes while watching it. As a filmmaker, I dream that the movie reaches the maximum number of people, and now, thanks to Netflix, Last Film Show is just a click away.” Producer Siddharth Roy Kapur (Roy Kapur Films) said, “As we take forward the journey to represent India with our film at the 95th Academy Awards, we are thrilled that Last Film Show has found its home at Netflix India and we are sure that the magic and beauty of Nalin’s cinematic creation will enrapture Netflix audiences in India, just as it has with theatrical audiences in India and around the world.” Producer Dheer Momaya (Jugaad Motion Pictures shared, “I’m elated that our film will be made available on Netflix India.
They have a highly engaged subscriber base in India, and it will be great for families to enjoy this film from the comfort of their home during the year-end holiday season.” The original Gujarati language film will also be available to watch with Hindi dubbing, only on Netflix India.
Samuel Goldwyn Films will do the theatrical release of Last Film Show on 2nd December 2022 in USA. The movie is represented in international markets by France’s Orange Studio. Indian companies involved in the production include Jugaad Motion Pictures, Monsoon Films, Chhello Show LLP, and Roy Kapur Films. The French co-producer is Virginie Films.
