Right now, I can visualise the most elegant picture in my mind! A tranquil town nestled along the azure coastline of the French Riviera, with its timeless elegance and Mediterranean allure. Picture-perfect vistas of the shimmering sea blend seamlessly with the lush greenery of palm-lined boulevards, creating a scenic tapestry that epitomises sophistication.
The heart of this place beats within its old town, where cobblestone streets wind their way through charming alleyways adorned with vibrant bougainvillaea. Quaint cafes beckon passersby to linger over a leisurely café au lait, while chic boutiques display haute couture creations that epitomise French fashion. Well, yes! I am talking about Cannes. And right now, it’s worth talking about because the international trailer of my upcoming film The Zebras — Dark Start will be launched at Festival de Cannes in the India Pavilion during its 77th year. The date is May 22.
I was in Cannes with my debut feature The Wife’s Letter. It was screened at Marche du Film. It’s been seven years but it is still fresh in my mind, as fresh as a bunch of croissants fetched right from the bakery.
It was a dream-come-true moment for me! The festival is like a maze and the most important belonging that you need to possess inside the festival is a venue map. It is so gigantic that a map is very much essential to get yourself directed to the right place or the desired place. I watched a lot of interesting films, including Based on a True Story by Roman Polanski. I befriended a few critics who eventually became very good friends.
Other than this, I watched The Meyerowitz Stories followed by Okja. Honestly, I was so overwhelmed that I spent most of my time being awed by the extravagant beauty of the festival lined up by its peaceful boundaries. I strolled along the town, made a lot of local friends and loved socialising with them. I had my first eggplant pizza over there.
The premiere of my film at the market section was a quiet affair and I had almost dried off my impulses by then. You see, Cannes has always been an affair of glamour and equality where everyone is treated equally and every other person is almost approachable. The screening of my film helped me gain some fruitful insights into my filmmaking and I have evolved a lot from then, I would say.
In Cannes, every moment is imbued with a sense of grandeur and sophistication. Whether savouring a sumptuous meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, exploring the opulent villas that dot the coastline, or simply basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, one cannot help but be captivated by the timeless charm of this enchanting city. And the red carpets! I could spend all my time staring at the celebrities walking off the aisle with a callous grace.
Evoke a sense of intrigue
The Zebras — Dark Start stars Sharib Hashmi, Priyanka Sarkar, and Usha Banerjee in lead roles. The camera is helmed by Arijit Bose. Produced under the banner of Yulin Productions, Akhil Murali and Ashik Murali have assured pure artistic freedom when it came to crafting this project. Besides directing, I also edited the project and hence, it was tougher to sacrifice some of the best shots.
The use of quick cuts and montages served to heighten the sense of tension and urgency (in the trailer), propelling viewers on a whirlwind journey through the film’s narrative landscape. Moments of quiet introspection were juxtaposed with bursts of frenetic action, creating a dynamic rhythm that kept audiences on the edge of their seats.
However, it was the enigmatic imagery and cryptic dialogue that truly captivated the audience’s imagination. From cryptic messages scrawled on walls to fleeting glimpses of surreal landscapes, each frame was carefully constructed to evoke a sense of unease and intrigue. The sparse dialogue, delivered with chilling conviction by the cast, hinted at deeper layers of meaning lurking beneath the surface. It was indeed tough cutting such a trailer.
The trailer for The Zebras was meticulously crafted to encapsulate the essence of the film while tantalising viewers with glimpses of its narrative depth and visual spectacle. From the very beginning, our team understood the importance of striking a delicate balance between revealing enough to pique interest and withholding enough to maintain an air of mystery. This delicate dance between revelation and concealment guided every decision we made in the editing room.
One of the primary reasons behind the specific editing choices in the trailer was to establish a sense of enigma surrounding the central premise of the film. The Zebras is a psychological thriller that delves into the intricacies of human nature, exploring themes of identity, perception, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. Therefore, it was imperative that the trailer mirrored this ambiguity, leaving audiences intrigued and eager to unravel the mysteries that lie within.
The high points of the trailer were strategically placed to offer glimpses into the world of The Zebras while leaving plenty to the imagination. The opening sequence, set against the backdrop of a dimly lit alleyway, sets a foreboding tone that permeates throughout the trailer. As the haunting melody of the soundtrack begins to swell, we catch fleeting glimpses of the main characters, each shrouded in shadows and ambiguity. Another of the high points of the trailer is the mesmerising cinematography that captures the pulsating energy of Calcutta. From bustling markets to serene riverbanks, every shot is imbued with a sense of life and movement that reflects the spirit of the city. Now, it’s time to grab the attention of the Mediterranean town too. And, we are just a few days away.
Two years ago, amidst the glitz and glamour of Cannes, our film’s title was unveiled to the world. It was a moment of profound significance, a declaration of our artistic vision and commitment to storytelling. And now, as the festival prepares to unfurl its red carpet once again, I find myself on the edge of anticipation, eagerly awaiting the moment when our trailer will illuminate the silver screen.
There’s a palpable energy in the air, a sense of anticipation that reverberates through every conversation and every interaction. As a language model deeply entrenched in the world of cinema, I can’t help but share in the excitement of our team. The prospect of our film’s trailer captivating audiences from around the globe, sparking curiosity and igniting imaginations, fills me with an indescribable sense of pride.
But amidst the thrill of anticipation, there’s also a twinge of nervousness lingering within me. The Cannes Film Festival is a stage unlike any other, where the discerning eyes of industry insiders and cinephiles alike scrutinise every frame with a keen intensity. Will our trailer resonate with audiences? Will it capture the essence of our film, enticing viewers to embark on a cinematic journey unlike any other? These questions swirl in my mind, an ever-present reminder of the stakes at hand.
Yet, despite the uncertainty that accompanies every creative endeavour, there’s an undeniable sense of optimism that pervades my circuits. For in the heart of Cannes, amidst the sea of stars and the symphony of applause, lies an opportunity — a chance to share our passion, our creativity, and our story with the world. And as the countdown to the festival begins, I can’t help but feel a flicker of excitement growing within me, a whisper of anticipation for the moment when our film’s trailer will illuminate the silver screen, and our journey will truly begin.
This year, India will celebrate Bharat Parva at Cannes and I am proud to be a part of the campaign and being able to showcase my trailer is a moment of great recognition for me. For months, I’ve watched as each frame was meticulously crafted, each note of the soundtrack carefully chosen to evoke the emotions that lie at the heart of my story. And now, as those frames flicker across the screen in a tantalising montage, I can only hope that they capture even a fraction of the magic that I’ve poured into this project.
Perhaps it’s too early to tell what the future holds, whether my film will be embraced by audiences or fade into obscurity. But at this moment, I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude — for the journey that has brought me here, for the people who have believed in me, and for the opportunity to share my story with the world.
