Family (2023 film)

Last updated

Family
Family (2023 film).jpg
Film poster
Directed by Don Palathara
Written by
Produced by Newton Cinema
Starring
CinematographyJaleel Badusha
Edited by Don Palathara
Music byBasil C J
Production
company
Newton Cinema
Release dates
  • July 2023 (2023-07)(Halicarnassus)
  • 22 February 2024 (2024-02-22)
Running time
111 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Family is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed, written, and edited by Don Palathara, with co-writing credits to Sherin Chatherine. The film premiered at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam [1] on 28 January 2023. It was also screened at the14th Bengaluru International Film Festival [2] 2023. Produced by Anto Chittilappilly through his production company, Newton Cinema, the film features Vinay Forrt, Divya Prabha, Abhija Sivakala, Nilja K Baby and Mathew Thomas in pivotal roles. Family was theatrically released on 22 February 2024.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Plot

Sony, a Catholic man in his late twenties from rural central Kerala, initially appears to be a do-gooder and a well-wisher. However, beneath his public persona lies a different character. Even as some of his family members become aware of his deeds, they are silenced by a system that mindfully and actively protects men, their delinquencies, and secrets. The family thus becomes a sturdy closet where skeletons of the past are kept unknown and unseen by the outside world. The film seeks to understand why the family system operates like the mafia when it comes to crimes from within.

Cast

Release

The film premiered at the 52nd International Film Festival Rotterdam in January 2023. Family was also screened at the 14th Bengaluru International Film Festival. It was selected as one of the five contenders for the “Young Jury Prize” at the 68th Cork International Film Festival in Ireland. [4]

Family was also chosen as one of the two Malayalam films in the International Competition section of the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), held in December 2023. Additionally, it was included among the Top 10 Indian films curated by  the FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2023. [5]

The film was theatrically released on 22 February 2024 and began streaming on Manorama Max and Simply South from 6 December 2024.

Reception

Since its premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, Family has enjoyed sold-out screenings and immediate acclaim from audiences and media worldwide. It has been hailed as a riveting exposé, skillfully crafted with a thought-provoking and provocative filmmaking style by director Don Palathara. [6]

Awards and nominations

YearEventCategory and awardRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2023Halicarnassus Film Festival,TurkeyBest FilmFamilyWon [6]
2023 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Best Indie Film 2023Nominated [6]
2023 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne Best DirectorDon Palathara [6]
2023Melbourne Cineverse FestivalBest FilmFamily
2023 International Film Festival of Kerala Best Film,International Competition [7]
2023International Film Festival InnsbruckBest Picture [8]
2024Ajantha Ellora Film FestivalBest Film
2024Indian Film Festival BhubaneswarBest Film
2024Third Eye Asian Film FestivalBest FilmFamilyWon
2023Soul Place Film Festival
2024Sevilla Indie Film Festival
2024Stockholm Independent Film Festival [9]
2024 FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2023Best FilmFamilyNominated

References

  1. "Family". IFFR EN. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  2. "Don Palathara's Family to be screened at the Bengaluru International Film Festival". The Indian Express. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Don Palathara's Family wins Best Film award at Halicarnassus Film Festival, Turkey". Cinema Express . 26 July 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  4. "Don Palathara's Family to be screened at 68th Cork International Film Festival in Ireland". The Indian Express. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  5. "Home - Family". www.donpalathara.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Vinay Forrt starrer 'Family' wins Best Film at Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey". English.Mathrubhumi. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
  7. Praveen, S. R. (9 December 2023). "IFFK 2023: Don Palathara's 'Family' clinically uncovers the hidden dark spots in an idyllic community". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  8. "Don Palathara's Film Family Selected For 32nd International Film Festival Innsbruck". News18. 4 May 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  9. "Vinay Forrt's Family wins big at Stockholm Independent Film Festival". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.