The world premiere of Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film ‘Chhello Show’(Last Film Show), which opens the Tribeca Film Festival’s Spotlight section on June 10, 2021, promises to be a welcome return to the big-screen cinema experience after a year dampened by COVID-19.
The partly-autobiographical drama takes Nalin back to his roots in Saurashtra, Gujarat. The story is set against the backdrop of the changing face of Indian cinema which has undergone a massive transition. In a digital world, hundreds of single-screen cinemas remain in ruins – merely a thing of the past. Nalin’s film takes us back to a world long bygone.
The film follows the story of a nine-year-old boy, Samay, whose life turns upside down after watching his first movie at the Galaxy Cinema. He passionately falls in love with films much to his father’s dismay. Samay strikes a deal with Fazal, the projectionist, who lets him watch movies for free in exchange for eating the contents of his lunchbox. Their food-for-films deal turns into an endearing friendship, but heartbreaking choices lie ahead, as reports Variety.
“When you have nothing, nothing should stop you. It is a story of inspiration, hope, valuing family, friends, cinema, storytellers, innocence and innovation. It has reconnected me with my roots.”
— Pan Nalin, Director
Nalin is known for his striking and vivid body of work like Samsara (2001), Valley of Flowers (2006), and Angry Indian Goddesses (2015).
Check out the much-awaited film’s trailer here.
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