THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Mumbai, Dec 7: Celebrity couple and actor-producer duo Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal express great enthusiasm as their first production, ‘Girls Will Be Girls,’ is scheduled to premiere at the esteemed Sundance Film Festival, competing in the fiercely contested World Dramatic Feature category.
Chosen from the multitude of submissions received annually, the film has secured a spot at the Sundance Film Festival, which stands as one of the largest and most prominent film festivals globally.
Story of a rebellious teen
‘Girls Will Be Girls’ has been selected as one of the 16 exclusive films to compete in the festival’s competition section. This achievement distinguishes the film as one of the limited Indian narrative feature films to receive such acknowledgment at Sundance.
Under the direction of Shuchi Talati, the film unfolds a captivating narrative set in a boarding school located in a quaint Himalayan hill town in northern India. It chronicles the transformative journey of Mira, a 16-year-old girl, as her rebellious self-discovery becomes intertwined with the unfulfilled coming-of-age experiences of her mother.
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Indo-French co-production
‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is the first film produced by Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal under the label of Pushing Buttons Studios, which was established in March 2021. The ensemble features debutants Preeti Panigrahi and Kesav Binoy Kiron in key parts, along with multi-award-winning Malayalam film actress Kani Kusruti and Jitin Gulati.
The movie is an Indo-French co-production, with Pushing Buttons Studios, Crawling Angel Films and the French company Dolce Vita Films working together to bring it to fruition.
‘Girls Will Be Girls has already won numerous awards and accolades throughout the world, including the VFF Talent Highlight Award, the Arte Kino Prize, and the Cinema Du Monde.
Read what makers say
Director Shuchi Talati stated, “I am delighted that my first feature has been selected at the Mecca of cinema, Sundance. It is heartening to see a film shot and conceptualized in India make it to this mammoth international festival. At the heart of this coming of age drama is a love story between a mother and a daughter, and even though it is very rooted in Indian ethos, I am glad it resonates with people across many continents.”
Producer Richa Chadha said, “Ali and I embarked on this production with a vision to tell unique stories. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ making it to Sundance validates our commitment to compelling storytelling. We couldn’t be more thrilled. This journey has been about pushing boundaries and redefining narratives, and we are hopeful audiences worldwide will relate with the film. I am also elated the world will see Shuchi’s fresh voice and cinematic persepective and some excellent performances from our debutant actors”
Ali Fazal said, “Being part of Sundance with our debut production is a dream realized. ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ is not just a film; it’s a celebration of storytelling, and we hope it leaves an indelible mark on the hearts of the audience. This project is a labour of love, and the recognition at Sundance is a testament to the dedication and passion of our entire team.”
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