Yashaswani Chauhan, Pune
In a historic moment for Indian cinema, the Malayalam film ‘2018: Everyone is a Hero’ has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the prestigious Academy Awards 2024. This announcement was made by the Film Federation of India (FFI) after careful consideration of nearly 45 submissions, culminating in the shortlisting of 22 outstanding films.
Directed by the acclaimed filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph, ‘2018’ made cinematic history earlier this year by becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam movie. It played a pivotal role in revitalizing the Kerala film industry, emerging as a beacon of hope in the post-pandemic cinematic landscape.
Ravi Kottarakara, President of FFI, emphasized the film’s selection was due to its powerful portrayal of climate change, global warming, and the devastating effects of illegal constructions. The selection committee, headed by renowned filmmaker Girish Kasarvalli, unanimously agreed that ‘2018’ stands as a poignant testament to these critical global issues.
The film’s narrative centers around the catastrophic Kerala floods of 2018, showcasing the indomitable human spirit as people from diverse backgrounds united to face the calamity head-on. The ensemble cast, including Tovino Thomas, Indrans, Kunchacko Boban, Aparna Balamurali, delivered stellar performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their roles.
The competition for India’s official Oscar entry was fierce, with notable films like “Balagam”, “The Kerala Story”, “12th Fail”, “Zwigato”, “Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani”, and “Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway” vying for the coveted spot. Recent releases like “Gadar 2” and “Ghoomer”, as well as upcoming films “The Vaccine War” and “Ab Toh Sab Bhagwan Bharose” were also part of the shortlist.
‘2018: Everyone is a Hero’ now stands as a beacon of Indian cinema, not only for its commercial success but also for its poignant message on climate change and human resilience. As it gears up for the global stage at the Academy Awards 2024, it is poised to make a powerful impact on the international film community.