Last Film Show (2021)
It is easy to see as “just” an Indian interpretation of Cinema Paradiso. It wouldn’t be a wrong assessment, but it also diminishes what it achieves. First of all, I find great value in simply seeing that kind of story told from a very different cultural background and setting. It highlights both the differences and the shared experiences of why films captures the imagination and attention of people all over the world. While it is technically a coming of age story, I really appreciated how it isn’t the main point here. I find it first and foremost to be a portrayal of childhood, shown the sort of imagination and ingenuity that only a child can have. If this was a western film, I might have rolled my eyes at some the rather cheesy and heavy handed symbolic scenes, but it is clearly made with so much sincerity by Pan Nalin here that it fits just perfectly.
Rating: 4