Balekempa

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Balekempa
Directed by Ere Gowda
Produced by Vivek Gomber, Chaitanya Tamhane
StarringJnanesh, Bhagya Shree, Chandrashekar C.S, Nagaraju D.P
Cinematography Saumyananda Sahi
Edited by Saumyananda Sahi
Music by Benedict Taylor, Naren Chandavarkar
Production
company
Release date
  • 2018 (2018)
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

Balekempa (translation: The Bangle Seller) is a 2018 Kannada drama film written and directed by Ere Gowda. Produced by Zoo Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the film is about the relationship between a travelling bangle seller and his wife. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] The film was included in the list of the ten most notable films at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. [6]

Contents

Plot

Kempanna, the bangle seller, roams the countryside adorning the hands and faces of women with beauty products. Yet he seems to have little time for his own wife, Saubaghya. Indeed, the only activity that husband and wife do together is taking care of Kempanna's invalid mother. Otherwise, Kempanna seems to prefer the company of his childhood friend, Hanuma, in the quiet and private setting of Hanuma's farm. Meanwhile, Saubaghya's only companion is the neighbour's teenage son Mahesha, who delivers the milk and can't quite control his hormones. The now long married couple's inability to conceive is a concern for Saubaghya's mother who goes to the local deity and prays for the boon of a child. However, without Kempanna's participation, prayers have little effect.

When Saubaghya insists on getting a life insurance policy and disappears to her mother's house, Kempanna has to face what is really wrong with their marriage. For behind every frustration there seem to lurk burning desires. Who is concealing the greater secret - husband, or wife? While society watches, will a child be born?

Awards

YearCountryFestivalCategoryResultComments
2018Brazil! International Film Festival in São Paulo [7] Competição de Novos Diretores

(New Directors Competition)

India Dharamshala International Film Festival
Mumbai Academy of the Moving Image IndiagoldIndian Premier
Japan Fukuoka International Film Festival, [8] JapanJapanese Premier
Poland Transatlantyk Festival,Poland [9] New Cinema
Australia Asia Pacific Screen Awards Achievement in Cinematography Nominated [10]
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Nominated [11] Australian Premiere
South Korea Jeonju International Film Festival [12] World Cinemascape
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film Festival
Canada International Film Festival of South Asia, Toronto [13] Canada Premiere
UK East End Film Festival [14] UK Premiere
USA New York Indian Film Festival [15] Best filmNominatedUS Premiere
Best directorNominated [16]
Netherlands International Film Festival Rotterdam FIPRESCI Award Won [17] "For its subtle and delightful portrayal of a universal theme against the background of a rich local culture."
2017India NFDC Film BazaarWork-in-Progress LabWon [18]

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References

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