PINNEYUM coming to TIFF2016, and all the flailing begins!

The trailer for Pinneyum ("Once Again"), the latest film from master Malayalam director Adoor Gopalakrishnan, dropped a few days ago, but I'd been waiting for a subtitled version before sharing it.  And then, the morning, a press release from TIFF2016 landed in my inbox, and with it the news that the film is having its International Premiere at this year's festival.  So, here is the trailer in all its unsubtitled glory!

More seriously, however, Gopalakrishnan is probably the most significant Indian auteur after Satyajit Ray, and he and his films deserve not only the accolades they have received (16 National Awards, 14 Kerala State Awards, the Padma Shri, the Padma Vibhushan, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award), but greater recognition from cinema lovers beyond India.   His debut film, Swayamvarum,  was a revolution for Malayalam cinema, but it was his third feature film, Elippathayam ("The Rat Trap") that made his name internationally, screening at the Cannes Film Festival in 1982.

Pinneyum stars veteran Malayalam actors Dileep (known mostly for his work in comedy, but he occasionally ventures into more serious territory with, often, excellent results) and Kavya Madhavan (who was also in Gopalakrishnan's 2007 film Naalu Pennungal/"Four Women"), and, according to the press release "explores love and relationships as an extended family gets drawn into the vortex of a crime, not realizing how it will change their lives forever."  The cinematography is by arthouse favourite M. J. Radhakrishnan (who has also worked with the likes of Dr. Biju and Renjith), and the supporting cast includes such fine actors as Nedumudi Venu, K.P.A.C. Lalitha, and Indrans.

It is often difficult to access Adoor Gopalakrishnan's work -- DVDs are rare, or unsubtitled -- so this is an excellent chance to see the latest film from one of India's finest filmmakers.