‘The Disciple’ Led The Way At The First International Film Fest During The Pandemic

Screen + Sound + Stage

Text by Ranjabati Das

Chaitanya Tamhane’s sophomore outing The Disciple won the FIPRESCI award as well as the award for the Best Screenplay at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. The last Indian film to be awarded the FIPRESCI Award was Mathilukal in 1990. The Marathi-language film is the first Indian movie in 20 years to be chosen for the main competition of a European film festival. The 10-day-long 77^th Venice International Film Festival (September 2-12) was the first major international film festival to take place during the pandemic this year.

CHAITANYA TAMHANE, Director-writer

Do you think the spirit of the fest has changed because of the pandemic? What are some of the differences in Venice 2020 from the last time you were there with Court?
I was…