Odisha-born producer's film to be shown at Cannes fest

Bhubaneswar, April 29 (IANS) English movie "Desires of the Heart", produced by Odisha-born Solila Parida, is set to be premiered during the Cannes International Film Festival in France May 14-25, the movie's associate producer Jitendra Mishra said Tuesday.

The movie will be shown May 17, at 4 p.m. in Screen-Gray 5 theatre at Cannes as part of the market screening section of the 67th edition of the festival, Mishra, who is also from Odisha and who will attend the event, told IANS.

The festival offers 34 screening rooms separately to the registered participants under the market screening section for those whose films are not selected in the official categories.

It provides them opportunity to screen their films so as to showcase their creations to the global audience, he said.

"Desires of the Heart" has already received best film award this year in LA Femme International Film Festival, and received critical acclaim in festivals like Sedona International Film Festival and Macon Film Festival.

The movie, produced last year, is a love story that focuses on 'Sati' practice followed in certain Indian communities in which a widowed woman would immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre.

The practice was banned several times, with the current ban dating to 1829 by the British.

The film, which deals with the 'Sati' practice in a light manner with a good dose of drama, suspense and great music, was shot in Savannah, Georgia, as well as in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

The cast includes Hollywood stars Val Lauren and Alicia Minshew and Bollywood actors Gulshan Grover and Harsh Mayar.

Award-winning director James Kicklighter went behind the camera to narrate the story and Rajesh Rathi has directed the India portion of the film. Anthony Guerrero edited the film.

Born in Berhampur town of Odisha, about 180 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, Solila Parida is a multi-talented professional settled in the US for over two decades and has been making international movies for the global market in English with both Hollywood and Bollywood stars.

"Desires of the Heart" is her fourth feature film after producing "Vishkanya", "Koi Hai" and "Bandit Lovers".