All We Imagine as Light

“Best Film of 2024” say the Cannes Film Festival judges when presenting All We Imagine As Light with the Grand Prix Award - one of the two largest awards at the festival and the first Indian film to win this title. At least another five awards were given this film that was acclaimed as the #1 film of the year by other cinematic societies. Following the Toronto Film Festival and Vancouver Film Festival Nanaimo International Film Screening Society will bring All We Imagine As Light to the Shaw Auditorium on Sunday February 2nd with screenings at 1:00 and 7:00pm.

The story revolves around three women two nurses and a cook who all work in the same hospital and are faced with their expectations of life and what they must accept from the world around them. One has a husband in Germany one has a forbidden Muslim lover and one is being evicted from her home. The first half of the film is set in chaotic Mumbai with the Monsoon as a backdrop. Lighting (fluorescent - typical of Mumbai)) music (composed by an Ethiopian nun) and colour (blue of Mumbai monsoons) add to the setting as the women struggle in their own flux as much as the city itself struggles. Second half is set on the coast where everything opens up. Time moves at a different pace. Softer warmer light of the beach can offer an inspiring possibility. A feeling of kinship amongst the three grows and through this relationship a feeling of hope for the future is discovered.

Widely acclaimed director Praya Kapadia uses a documentary style storytelling blended with fantasy to create real life situations that give us small simple moments of beauty. She makes understated comments on freedom gender and class by subtle direction of the three leading actresses. Their superlative acting carries the show and spellbinds the audience. 

“This is a glorious film.” says Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw. Don’t miss it!

All We Imagine As Light will be seen Feb. 2nd at the Shaw Auditorium of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Entrance is 80 Commercial St. There will be a 1:00 and 7:00 screening. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at nifss.ca or at the door.

Host or Publisher Nanaimo International Film Screening Society