The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne reveals its Tamil line-up for the 2022 edition

According to the organisers, the festival this year has over 100 films from across the Indian sub-continent and they are excited to celebrate Indian cinema in all its glory and diversity.

Kapil Dev, a still from Jai Bhim and The Road to Kuthriyar/Twitter

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) will return to a physical format for its 2022 edition, which will be hosted by legendary cricketer Kapil Dev. The event will take place in the Victorian capital from August 12 to 20, both in person and virtually. Jai Bhim will be shown alongside other thought-provoking Tamil films. Suriya, who won the National Award for Best Actor this year for Soorarai Pottru, stars in the Sudha Kongara-directed film. Last year, this was named Best Feature Film at IFFM, and Suriya was named Best Male Performance.

Here's a list of Tamil films to be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2022:

Jai Bhim:

Starring Manikandan, Lijomol Jose, and Suriya, Jai Bhim was one of 276 feature films nominated for Best Picture at the 94th Academy Awards. This was the only Tamil language film to be nominated for an Oscar. The film is inspired by a true-life landmark case that shed light on Rajakannu, a man from the Irula tribe, who is subjected to custodial torture and caste discrimination. TJ Gnanavel wrote and directed it, and Jyotika and Suriya produced it under their banner 2D Entertainment. In addition, Suriya's Soorarai Pottru made the 93rd Academy Awards eligibility list.

Jai Bhim has been a source of contention since its November 2 release on Amazon Prime Video. While it has largely been praised for its anti-oppression and anti-casteism stance, a few sects have raised red flags over its portrayal of the Vanniyar community.

AYU:

It is the debut film of former Army Commander General Daya Rathanayake and Chathra Weeraman's second directorial. AYU, starring Sandra Mack, Jagath Manuwarna, and Malini Fonseka, tells the story of a young man and a woman brought together by fate. They embark on an intriguing journey of soul-searching over the clamour of material life. They will motivate you to consider the meaning of life.

Life is characterised by impermanence: good and bad times alternate. When life is pierced by this bitter truth and becomes difficult, people seek distraction and relief from such unpleasant realities. Escapism is when they engage in entertainment or become ensnared in fantasies. In such situations, people's usual thought patterns break down, and they suddenly want answers to life's big questions.

The crew includes Kalinga Deshapriya as the Director of Photography, Sasika Marasinghe as the sound designer and Anuradha Weeraman as the associate producer.

The Road to Kuthriyar:

Directed by Bharat Mirle will be screened at the event. In a world where films have become reliant on languid drone shots and stylized slow motion to keep audiences engaged, Mirle's debut feature drops you right into a refreshing, documentary-style ride that you know will last the entire film. Featuring Dhruv Athreye, Chinna Dorai, and Parvathi OM, Bharat Mirle’s Tamil-English feature has premiered at the Busan International Film Festival.

The vlogs are included in the 115-minute film and serve as another foreshadowing of Mirle's bold move into non-fiction. The film alternates between fiction, fiction inspired by real people and conversations, and documentary.

Perianayaki:

The film, directed by Bala Murali Shingade and starring Jeyagowri Sivakumaran, is about Perianayaki, a 56-year-old Sri Lankan immigrant. Her day starts as it always does, at her dead-end job stacking shelves at the local supermarket. She finds it difficult to fit in because she does not speak English. Perianayaki is forced to reconcile with the bittersweet realities of her life on her wedding anniversary.

IFFM is an annual festival in Melbourne, Australia, funded by the Victoria State Government. It was established in 2012.

The festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange said, "We are delighted to have IFFM come back physically this year alongside exciting virtual programming. To have with us a legendary cricketer Kapil Dev in honour of a film, based on his iconic 83 World Cup Win, we are excited to have him in Melbourne. Being a city of cinema and cricket lovers alike, we are certain the audiences will be excited to see him here."

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