The 72nd Cannes Film Festival kicks off on Tuesday with India missing from the official selection for the first time this decade. The last time the world's largest movie-producing nation drew a blank in Cannes was in 2009.
The 2019 edition of the 12-day festival, beginning on 14 May, will open with the screening of Jim Jarmusch's zombie satire The Dead Don't Die, one of 21 titles competing for the Palme d'Or.
As usual the Indians gracing the red carpet this time include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Deepika Padukone and Huma Qureshi.
However, three former students of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) will ensure India’s peripheral presence at the event.
Meghalaya's Dominic Sangma, Darjeeling lad Saurav Rai (maker of the 2016 Cannes entry Gudh) and cinematographer Modhura Palit will be in the festival this year to participate in three different official segments.
Sangma, whose debut film, the Garo-language Ma'Ama (Moan), premiered in the Mumbai Film Festival last year, will explore co-production tie-ups for his sophomore effort, Rapture. The up-and-coming filmmaker will receive guidance from Mira Nair, the first Indian to win the Camera d'Or in Cannes (for Salaam Bombay, 1988).
Saurav Rai will pitch his debut work-in-progress narrative feature, Nimtoh (Invitation), in the 'HAF (Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum) Goes to Cannes' programme in the festival's Marche du Film (Film Market).
Kolkata cinematographer Modhura Palit will travel to Cannes to be part of the 7th edition of the Angenieux Excel Lens in Cinematography ceremony. She will receive the Angenieux Special Encouragement, which is given to a young professional.
In 2017, Cannes did not select any feature-length Indian film, but Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) alumna Payal Kapadia's short film Afternoon Clouds made it to the festival's Cinefondation competition for film schools.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)