The Cloud Messenger

Rahat Mahajan takes an audacious and imaginative approach to the notion of reincarnation – a popular theme in Indian mythology, arts and cinema – with this bold fusion of dance, photography and classical storytelling. Jaivardhana and Tarini are two boarding-school students inexplicably drawn to each other. Their blossoming relationship unfolds in the present, but parallels the narratives woven into ancient myth, as evinced by four performers who enact a similar outline through the Indian dance forms of Kathakali, Theyyam and Kuttiyattam. By blending timelines and artistic disciplines, the contemporary and the ancient, Mahajan has created a bold, resonant and visually dazzling cinema whose play with form only adds to the film’s richly satisfying emotional tone.

Screened as part of the Love strand.

LFF digital screenings are not available on the Samsung TV app or via casting from the iOS app.