Acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair will present Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s ‘Cactus Pears’ (Sabar Bonda) for its North American release, with support from Payal Kapadia, whose ‘All We Imagine as Light’ won international acclaim last year.
The Marathi-language film follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something city dweller forced to spend a 10-day period of mourning for his father in the rugged western Indian countryside, where he becomes tenderly involved with a local farmer Balya (Suraaj Suman) who is struggling to remain single.
The feature film, which won the top international prize at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was subsequently selected in the New Directors/New Films category, successfully launched at several festivals around the world, including at SXSW in London, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, and nationally at the San Francisco International Film Festival.
“A rural gay story that begins in a state of mourning and melancholy, it eventually takes on a radiant shape, with emotional complexities born from characters walking around the truth, if only because euphemisms are the only language they have,” said the Variety review of the film.
Strand Releasing, which acquired the North American rights, also revealed a new trailer for the film.
The film is produced by Neeraj Churi, Mohamed Khaki, Kaushik Ray, Haresh Reddypaal, Naren Chandavarkar and Sidharthe Meer, with ILann Girard and Kishor Vasant Sawant Serving Prooders.
“We are deeply honored to have Mira Nair present ‘Cactus Pears’ for its North American release,” the producers said. “His films have always shown us that the greatest power of independent cinema lies in telling stories that others won’t tell, in voices that others won’t be able to amplify. It’s radically specific – whether on the streets of Mumbai or in the fields of Maharashtra – that touches hearts universally. We couldn’t have asked for someone better to introduce our magnificent local story to the world.”
Kapadia praised the film, saying: “I was so deeply moved by ‘Cactus Pears’ – it captures longing, heartbreak and tenderness in a way that lingers long after the film ends. An intense, tender story of quiet romance – a rare gift of a film that makes you want to reach out and hold the hand of someone you love.”
Kanawade responded to Kapadia’s support: “Last year, Payal Kapadia and her magnificent film ‘All We Imagine as Light’ were celebrated not only in India but around the world for their bold and artistically rich storytelling. Knowing that ‘Cactus Pears’ moved her so deeply is both exhilarating and truly humbling as a filmmaker whose work I deeply admire. His response poetry filled me with tremendous encouragement. “
Strand Releasing will open “Cactus Pears” on November 21 in New York exclusively at the IFC Center, with Nair presenting the film during opening weekend, followed by a discussion with Kanawade. The film will open in Los Angeles at Laemmle’s Royal Theater on November 28, followed by dates in Chicago, San Francisco and Seattle. Strand plans an aggressive launch of its platform across North America.
“We are confident that Cactus Pears will resonate with North American audiences and that we are helping to set the tone for the success of the film and the future of Kanawade’s career,” said Marcus Hu, co-president of Strand Releasing.
