Umrika
Umrika is a 2015 Indian comedy-drama film directed and written by Prashant Nair and produced by Swati Shetty and Manish Mundra. It stars Suraj Sharma, Tony Revolori, Smita Tambe, Rajesh Tailang, Pramod Pathak, Adil Hussain, Amit Sial (Titli), Sauraseni Maitra and Prateik Babbar.
The film premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award.[1] Director Nair said that the film is "about the mythology of America and, more generally, how cultures perceive each other: the stereotypes, assumptions, misunderstandings and labeling as “exotic” of all things unfamiliar".[2]
Plot
The film begins with Udai (Prateik Babbar) leaving his village for the United States. Following the death of his father, Udai's younger brother Ramakant (Suraj Sharma) realises that the letters his family has been receiving from Udai have been forged by his father and uncle, and learns that Udai vanished when he reached his port city, Mumbai. He embarks upon a journey to locate his brother.
Cast
- Suraj Sharma as Ramakant
- Tony Revolori as Lalu
- Adil Hussain as Patel
Reception
Kenneth Turan of The Los Angeles Times called Umrika a "warmly intelligent film"[3] and included it in his 25 Films of note at Sundance 2015.[4]
Variety praised the film, giving kudos to "Nair’s soundly constructed script and deft handling of a very good cast."[5]
The Hollywood Reporter stated Nair has managed to incorporate several big and abstract topics — including what ties us to our families and place of birth and the extent to which these things are important — into a story in which they become highly personal for the characters.[6]
Shortly after its premiere, the film was sold by sales agent Beta Cinema to France, Germany, Austria, Australia, South Korea and numerous other territories, making it one of the most widely sold Indian independent films of all time.[7]
The film had its European premiere at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, 2015.[8]
References
- ^ Yuan, Jada (1 February 2015). "Me & Earl & the Dying Girl Dazzles at Sundance". Retrieved 1 February 2015.
- ^ Sharf, Zack. "Meet the 2015 Sundance Filmmakers #73: Prashant Nair Spans Continents for Indian Drama 'Umrika'". Indiewire. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ Turan, Kenneth. "Sundance preview: Diverse lineup unspools in Park City". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Turan, Kenneth. "Sundance Film Festival 2015: 25 films of note". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis. "Umrika Review: Prashant Nair's Satisfying Drama". Variety. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
- ^ Van Hoeij, Boyd. "'Umrika': Sundance Review". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ Levine, Syndey. "Cannes15: Beta Cinema's 'Ghosthunters' & 'Umrika' Among Hot Sellers at Marché du Film". Indiewire.com. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- ^ KVIFF, KVIFF. "Umrika to be accompanied by director and actors". kviff.com. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
External links
- Umrika on the Internet Movie Database
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