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Every Vetrimaaran Film Ranked

Tamil filmmaker Vetrimaaran belongs to one of those breeds of director whose tight scripts, apt casting, and realistic treatment of storyline has made fundamental changes to the very nature of mainstream filmmaking. His films are made for a multi-cultural audience and backed by the strength of their storytelling and sculpted dialogue, which has reinvigorated the art of popular cinema with a breath of fresh air.

Related Read to Vetrimaaran Films: Every Lijo Jose Pellissery Film Ranked

Each of the films is imbued with a powerful, coherent aesthetic that guides viewers through a dark matrix. At its best, it augments a captivating narrative and sinks viewers into a world of social realism of rural Tamil Nadu. Even urban reality is being depicted showcasing more fallible and life-like characters. The cinema of the carnivalesque with its larger-than-life characters, melodramatic orientation and highly romanticized canvas is something that does not whet his appetite for creativity.

With a filmography of five features and one short film as a director, he has earned his reputation as the most one of the most accessible filmmakers of the last decade. His style involves artistically thriving with a soothing pace lending itself to an atmospheric work filled with oneiric undertones. Some viewers may find his films brutal and gut wrenching as it gets; yet, despite its ruthless depiction, it’s also surprisingly heartwarming.

5. Polladhavan (2007)

Vetrimaaran’s debut feature film opens up with a gruesome and brutal fighting sequence and then using the device of flashback, the filmmaker takes us into the dynamic world of contemporary Chennai, where an educated young man, Prabhu ( Dhanush ) fight injustice and in the process is forced to unleash the animal within him.

Also, Read: Every Sriram Raghavan Film Ranked

The protagonist of the film is an uneducated youth who due to turn of events confronts his father (Murali) and an argument regarding the responsibilities of parents towards their offspring ensues. As a result of this conflict, Prabhu gets a hefty amount from his father and he uses the money to purchase a Bajaj Pulsar bike. This appears to be a wise investment because owning the vehicle enables him to get a job and earn respect in society. But the situation takes a drastic turn when a gang of anti-socials steals his bike. Thereafter the film presents the viewers with the transformation of resilience into power and its hold over the life of an individual’s struggle to maintain his position in the harsh reality of everyday life.

The plot of the film has similarities with Wang Xiaoshuai’s Bejing Bicycle (2001). But the well worked out mise-en-scenes of Polladhavan makes it an entertaining tale of a casual urban carefree person’s conversion into a person of genuine worth and true dignity. Polladhavan was remade in Kannada as Punda, in Telugu as Kurradu starring Varun Sandesh, in Sinhala as Pravegeya, in Bengali as Borbaad (2014) and in Hindi as Guns of Banaras (2020). But none of them could achieve the excellence earned by the original version.

4. Visaranai (2016)

Based on the Tamil novel Lock Up by M. Chandrakumar, Vetrimaaran’s third outing in its first half has such brutal scenes of police torture that one could genuinely feel the bestial act of police torture. The viewers are compelled to cringe as well as empathize with the plight of four helpless souls. The narrative of the film can be divided into two sections-before and after the intermission. Four migrant workers are falsely accused in a burglary case that has taken place at a rich and affluent man’s bungalow. The police beat these four characters in black and blue and want them to confess. Not able to withstand the pain they agree to accept the charges. Once they are produced in the court the narrative of the film takes a twist and the viewers are presented with one shocking surprise after the other.

Related Read to Vetrimaaran Films: Salt Of The Earth (1954) : A Landmark American Independent Cinema On The Working Class  

The filmmaker displays superb craftsmanship and commitment to an engaging dramatic tale that ends in a tragedy. The film subtly depicts that the characters in the film become a victim because of the system that protected the criminal over the accuser. It is a deeply troubling film that is devoid of cathartic and healing moments. Vetrimaaran does not feel hesitant in constructing the brutal scene with ease and he is neither afraid to carve out its own unique style.

The film had its world premiere at the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Amnesty International Italia Award. Back home it had won three National Film Awards- Best Feature Film in Tamil, Best Supporting Actor and Best Editing.

Watch Visaranai (2016) on Netflix

3. asuran (2019).

What becomes the last resort for a farmer who goes on the run with his family as he is compelled to protect his son, who has murdered a wealthy upper-caste landlord in a fit of vengeance? The reply should be to fight with the oppressing forces and reclaim his identity. That is exactly what Sivasaami (Dhanush) does to break away from the uncomfortable social status he has inherited. Based on the novel Vekkai by Poomani, Vetrimaaran’s screen adaptation is so watertight that every occurrence in the screenplay feels alluring.

Related Read to Vetrimaaran Films : Asuran (2019) Review: Rise, Asuran, Rise!

With Asuran Vetrimaaran continues his excellent cinematic flair as a director enhancing his commendable grasp on the tropes of mainstream cinema. The film also benefits from technical polish – the cinematography, background score and editing are all top-notch. Asuran too has gut-wrenching violence and prepares the viewer for the edge-of-seat tension. The narrative follows a rhythm where the plot is revealed without wasting much of the screen time. The film belongs to the genre of revenge saga told from the perspective of a lower caste protagonist.

It’s one of those mainstream films that fulfill a social purpose, for it’s hard to imagine anyone viewing Asuran and not abhorring the evil practice of casteism in our country and how it voluntarily degrade human values and status. At the Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards, 2020, Vetrimaaran won the award for best director. The film had won two National Film Awards- Best Feature Film in Tamil and Best Actor.

Read the Complete Review of Asuran (2019) Here

Watch asuran (2019) on prime video , 2. vada chennai (2018).

A tale of criminal activities narrated in a non-linear pattern over the span of more than a decade is the perfect recipe for a crime sage. Vetrimaaran’s narrative takes the viewers on a journey that lasts for nearly a hundred and sixty-four hours and introduces them to the world of guilt, regret and vital decisions leading to loyalty turned into betrayal. The protagonist of the film Anbu (Dhanush) is an expert carrom player but his life gets entwined into the world of crime. He gets pulled into the vortex so deeply that penitence alludes to him after a point in time.

Related Read to Vetrimaaran Films : Top Tamil Movies of 2018 and Where To Watch Them

With a multiple cast the story of the film is set in the underbellies of North Chennai as the title of the film implies and the theme of the film is more nuanced than the conventional black-and-white morality tales where evil is punished by good at the end. The film blatantly showcases the graphic world of crime and violence, investigates the nature of friendship, the ethics of vigilantism, and the nature of unhappiness. Vetrimaaran delves deeply into the minds of his tortured characters and explores how the men and women he depicts grapple with moral codes and their emotions.

He further engages with many of the most basic questions about our humanity and how we relate to one another in a complex world. The stylistic elements in the film earn comparisons, bearing marked connections to several of Vetrimaaran’s other films. The film won the Best Film (People’s Choice Award) at the Pingyao International Film Festival, 2018. At the Filmfare Awards South, Dhanush won the trophy for the Best Actor.

Read the Complete Review of Vada Chennai (2018) Here

Watch vada chennai (2018) on disney hotstar, 1. aadukalam (2011).

As the roosters combat in the arena with each other, it becomes a fight of the egos of the individuals who own the fowl. So, when Karuppu’s rooster emerges victorious he not only earns a lot of money but also the enmity of his boss Periyasamy (V. I. S. Jayapalan) and Rathnasamy (Naren). And from then onwards the life of our protagonist will be filled with one hurdle after the other as the tale of loyalty, self-esteem, deception, and honor unfolds.

Related Read to Vetrimaaran Films : 10 Great Tamil Movies You Can Stream On Netflix Right Now

In his sophomore, Vetrimaaran presents a varied cultural pattern of rural Tamil Nadu and uses realism, tradition, and contemporaneity, soaked in local flavor within the narrative structure of his tightly structured screenplay. The conflicts introduced within the plot points create tension by employing smart conventions that are able to sustain the viewer’s anticipation. The editing pattern of the film creates a commendable pace and multi-layered visual design that heightens the impact of the film. Though the filmmaker has openly admitted that he was inspired by the dogfighting scene of Amores Perros (2000), Vetrimaaran has infused his own style and poise within the film, which is anything by blatant copy.

Despite having strong content and potential for box-office success, filmmakers from another region could not dare to remake the film until now. The reason being the milieu of the film is so rooted in the soil of Tamil Nadu and that makes it the best film in the oeuvre of Vetrimaaran’s impressive career. At the 58th National Film Awards, the film won five awards-Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Choreography and Special Jury Award for Acting.

Special Mention: Oor Iravu (2020)

Oor Iravu is a part of the Tamil anthology drama Paava Kadhaigal (2020). Owing to its shorter running time, I have included it in the category of special mention. On the surface level of its narrative, the film depicts the tale of a daughter Sumathi (Sai Pallavi) who had eloped from her village and now she has reunited with her father Janakiraman (Prakash Raj). But as the story of the film moves forward we discover the sensitivity and intricacies of the complex human psyche of individual characters within the film.

Also, Read: Paava Kadhaigal (2020) Netflix: Sinful Filmmaking under the Garb of Hard Hitting Social Drama

Vetrimaaran treated the film with a style that is bold and innovative with the choice of a subject in which the form and content merge into one. The pacing is not fast like his other films rather it is a slow study of how Sumathi’s drastic decision had impacted the lives of various members of his family. Vetrimaaran did not deviate from his usual style of narrative exploration but he has brought an understated rhythm to the unfolding of the events.

There is a kind of freshness in his approach and courage displayed in choosing to build a film around the brutal concept of associating the honor of the family with the sanctity of a woman. The film ends on a depressing note as we realize that such evil things are a reality and will continue to happen unless and until the evils of casteism are not obliterated from our society.

Watch Oor Iravu (2020) on Netflix

Vetrimaaran links : imdb , wikipedia, trending right now.

Dipankar Sarkar is a freelance writer on various topics related to cinema. His articles have appeared in Scroll, The Hindu, Livemint, The Quint, The Tribune, Chandigarh, Upperstall, and vaguevisages.com amongst others.

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VIDUTHALAI MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

Viduthalai is a huge triumph of conviction. Vetri Maaran successfully brings out the hero who was hidden within Soori all this while. On the surface, Viduthalai is an unconventional tale of the underdog. There is lots of drama, emotions, and simmering tension. We wait for the hero to explode for the unfair treatment meted out to him, but he is willing to grind it out to hold onto his principles. It isn't just but the discriminatory system treats him like he's merely a pawn in a game of one upmanship. Soori is like us - A man of hope. A man looking forward with hope. But the system sucks his blood out like a leech.

Soori abstains himself from his usual antics and transforms into Vetri Maaran's faithful disciple. A restrained yet compelling performance. You root for his triumph despite knowing the obvious. And when his moment of glory arrives, you can't hold back from clapping for him. Bhavani Sre gets her big break as the leading lady. An endearing performer with a lot of promise. Chetan is the biggest surprise of the film. As the face of police brutality, he is relentless and cruel. He isn't in your face, the torture handed out to the hero is an everyday habit for Chetan. It's part of the rigidness that defines him.

At the other end of the spectrum is Gautham Vasudev Menon, who balances out the brutality by being a bit more humane when compared to the other cops in the film. He is on the good side. Or is he? Let's wait and watch in the next part. Every character in the film is neatly fleshed out. Even the smaller supporting characters do their bit in elevating the film.

The last but most important piece of this puzzle is Vijay Sethupathi as Vathiyar. Not much is revealed about him. But we are given a glimpse of what awaits us in the second part. We know that he stands for the oppressed. And the glimpse create enough hype for the Vathiyar character, giving us a terrific non-conventional cliff hanger.

Ilayaraja's background score is haunting and pulls us into the film. Velraj's cinematography and Jacki's art direction lend to the authenticity of the film. It almost feels like we are stuck within a rigid and flawed system without any redemption. 

As was the case with Visaranai and Jai Bhim, Vetri Maaran doesn't hold back in showcasing the brutality of the police force. It's raw, real, and gritty. The good thing is that there is more to come in the next part. Viduthalai 1 is yet another great attempt by Vetrimaran spearheaded by a wonderful performance by Soori.

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பிரேக்கிங் சினிமா செய்திகள், திரை விமர்சனம், பாடல் விமர்சனம், ஃபோட்டோ கேலரி, பாக்ஸ் ஆபிஸ் செய்திகள், ஸ்லைடு ஷோ, போன்ற பல்வேறு சுவாரஸியமான தகவல்களை தமிழில் படிக்க இங்கு கிளிக் செய்யவும்      

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Soori acting-ல பின்னிட்டாரு 🔥 ரெண்டு வருஷம் உழைப்போட வெற்றி...viduthalai - vetrimaaran interview videos, "soori-யை comedian-ஆ பாத்துட்டு இப்படி பாக்கும்போது.."😨viduthalai movie one minute review🔥 videos, other movie reviews.

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Vetri Maaran: A vital link between Tamil cinema and literature 

On his birthday, let's take a look at how vetri maaran is sustaining the trend of film adaptations in tamil cinema.

Tamil filmmakers have seldom recognized the untapped potential of Tamil literature. The argument that Tamil cinema is too ‘masala’ for it to borrow from literature doesn’t hold water because Tamil literature doesn’t just have ‘serious’ and ‘deep’ books. It has a humongous repository of pulp fiction. For every intense work like Pa Singaram’s Puyalilae Oru Thoni, there’s one gripping page-turner like Sujatha’s Ratham Orae Niram or Rajkumar’s Kaatrin Niram Karuppu. Thus, it is dumbfounding when stars complain about the paucity of good stories from filmmakers.

However, novel adaptations in Tamil are not entirely nonexistent. It is an age-old phenomenon. Films like Jayakanthan’s Unnaipol Oruvan (which received a National Award in 1965), Rajinikanth ’s Priya (1978), Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo (1981), and Kamal Haasan ’s Vikram (1986) are some of the notable examples. Yet, these are just flashes in the pan. A sustained trend of film adaptations hasn’t happened in contemporary Tamil cinema. But filmmaker Vetri Maaran seems to be giving some hope.

The National Award-winning filmmaker has so far directed five feature films of which two are adaptations of Tamil novels. His upcoming films Viduthalai and Vaadivasal are also based on Tamil literary works, which makes Vetri Maaran, a vital link between Tamil literature and cinema. Not just that, he has also cracked the formula of using serious literature for making commercial films.

Literature and Vetri Maaran

The relationship between literature and Vetri Maaran should have begun way early in his childhood as his mom Megala Chitravel is a noted Tamil novelist. On top of that, the director also studied English literature at Loyola College, Chennai. When he wanted to work with his mentor, prolific filmmaker Balu Mahendra, it was his knowledge of literature that aided him to get the opportunity. In an interview with Tamil magazine Anandha Vikatan, Vetri Maaran shared that Balu Mahendra asked him to come up with a synopsis for a novel as part of his interview process for the assistant director role. Though only his third film, Visaaranai (National Award-winning film and official Indian entry to the 89th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film) turned out to be his first adaptation, one can see that his tryst with written words has been an integral part of his journey.

Making literature mainstream

One of the criticisms against Asuran, Vetri Maaran’s film adaptation of Poomani’s Vekkai (Heat), is that the story was commercialised and unfaithful to the source material. Yet, his mainstream treatment of the novel is what contributed to the film’s commercial success. Vetri Maaran gave a ‘Baasha’ twist to Poomani’s novel, which turned the layered novel into a story of an underdog.

Vekkai is about Sivasamy and his 15-year-old son Chidambaram, who are on the run from the police after the latter kills an upper caste man Vadakooran to avenge the murder of his elder brother. As the dad and son spend around eight days in the forest hiding, the story of oppression and caste politics unfolds. The novel is devoid of heroism and deals with everyday people and their excruciating pain. Vetri Maaran made a significant change in his film by making Sivasamy the ‘hero’ of the film, while in the book, Chidambaram is the ‘protagonist’. Also, Dhanush ’s Sivasamy is an entirely different person from the one we find in Poomani’s book. In addition, the entire backstory of Sivasamy, which depicts him as a rebellious young man, is absent in the novel. This made Dhanush’s Sivasamy a familiar trope of mainstream cinema – a man with a violent past. This vital change made the film accessible to all sections of the audience.

However, critics of Vetri Maaran are also not wrong. A faithful remake of the film aided by Vetri’s brilliant cinematic language would have yielded a far better cinema, but it would have been a gamble when it comes to the business aspect of the film. One should only look at Vetri Maaran’s attempts as a small step in the right direction.

Challenges ahead with Vaadivasal

I am looking forward to seeing what he does with CS Chellapa’s novella Vaadivasal. The story of the novel doesn’t have enough meat for a typical Tamil feature film as it is just a story of events happening in one day at a Jallikattu event. A guy named Picchi arrives at a neighbouring village for the jallikattu event. He wants to tame the frightening bull named Kaari, which killed Picchi’s father years ago. That’s all there is to the story of the novella. Yet, it stands as a brilliant literary piece for its dialect and the depiction of caste politics in the sport of jallikattu. It would make up for a great cinema if Vetri Maaran recreates everything faithfully on screen.

Yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if the director opts for an entire flashback portion for Picchi’s father (Reports, already suggest that Suriya is playing a dual role in the film).  Despite the commercialisation, such adaptations continue to sustain the importance of literature. I mean without the film adaptations, the mainstream would have remained unaware of these literary gems.

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Deepak Tijori, a veteran actor and filmmaker, spoke about his 30-year journey in the industry and the challenges faced by independent producers. He discusses the impact of the star system on film distribution and his preference for unconventional stories. Despite having superstar connections, he prioritised charting his own path.

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Why Vetrimaaran is the most interesting director in Tamil films today

Vetrimaaran is arguably among the most interesting filmmaker working in the tamil film industry. here’s documenting his rise and what it takes to be a talent like him..

His production house’s name, Grass Root Film Company, is a clear pointer to Vetrimaaran’s worldview. This Deepavali’s biggest release in Tamil Nadu is, arguably, Kodi (Flag), a political thriller he has produced that stars Dhanush in his first double role, as twin brothers. The twins may be identical but their natures are mutually exclusive. Refreshingly, Kodi casts Trisha as a feisty woman politico, giving Dhanush’s eponymous hero a run for his money.

“For a hero movie, it’s pretty decently written,” pronounces Baradwaj Rangan, film critic and associate editor at The Hindu. “There’s a conflict, there are surprises and even within a commercial film, it’s properly written and directed. It’s not some random moments strung together to get people whistling.”

The film’s premise is how politics and political interests shape communities and the quality of their life. In this case, it involves skullduggery surrounding a factory emitting toxic effluents. It could be happening not too far away from our backyards.

At the Oscars

Vetrimaaran himself, however, was conspicuous by his absence during Kodi’s promos. He has a bigger task on hand. Visaaranai (Interrogation), the part-docudrama, part-crime thriller he directed, is India’s official entry to the 89th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. So he is in the US persuading jurors take note of his film, which has some truly hairy torture scenes. The last Tamil film that made it to the Oscars was 16 years back: Hey Ram starring Kamal Haasan.

Usually, the choice of any film to represent the country at the Oscars polarises critics, but Visaaranai remains largely unchallenged. Rangan agrees. “Visaaranai was a fantastic film.”

It tells the story of innocent migrant labourers picked up and tortured by the police to extract a false confession for a fatal robbery at an influential man’s house. How the film, shot in 42 days on a Rs 2-crore budget and eventually wining three National Film Awards, got made is interesting. After his Aadukalam in 2011, Vetrimaaran had busied himself with his production ventures, Udhayam NH4, Poriyaalan and Kaaka Muttai. When he was prepared to shoot his next, the script he picked was Soodhadi, a story on gambling, proposing Dhanush in the lead role. However, the actor had to take time off to work in Balki’s Shamitabh, being shot in Mumbai.

Vetrimaaran was mooting a book adaptation when director Balu Mahendra’s assistant serendipitously presented him with Lock Up, a riveting, partly autobiographical book written by M Chandrakumar, a former autorickshaw driver. The book, which took five years to write and another four to publish, narrates his harrowing experience while in jail in (then) Andhra Pradesh.

“When I pitched the story to Dhanush, who later produced the film, I said I can only guarantee you a three-day weekend run at the box office. But it’s a low-budget venture; you’ll get your investment back,” Vetrimaaran laughs. “Dhanush was amused, but agreed to fund the project. [I thought] it’s the kind of film that would not bring in repeat audiences. I was proved wrong and it got a good three-week run.”

The author, Chandrakumar, was incarcerated for a fortnight way back in 1983. “Yet his experiences are relevant even today,” points out Vetrimaaran. “Visaaranai reflects a stark reality from which you cannot shut yourself out: that is its success. It was challenging to find the right kind of actors and locations. We employed real stuntmen who could exercise restraint while beating up the actors.”

“What was unique was that there were a lot of first-time actors in the film; that added rawness to it,” says K Hariharan, filmmaker and critic. “Actors like Samuthirakkani and Kishore were entirely on the sidelines. That made it an interesting watch.”

Astutely, the team decided to send it to international film fests right away, confident it would work with foreign audiences. Visaaranai premiered at the Orrizonti section of the 72nd Venice Film Festival, a first for a Tamil film, and won the Amnesty International Italia Award. Crucially, the European audience was exposed to a hitherto unexplored form of Tamil cinema that dealt with grim reality in a non-dramatic but powerful way.

“Europeans have a different policing system. They found my narrative a bit harsh, though they were moved,” explains Vetrimaaran.

A rooted voice

It is Vetrimaaran’s preoccupation with sometimes gritty, sometimes heartwarming reality that makes this 41-year-old one of the best filmmakers of our times.

“The best thing about the regional filmmakers is that they bring in a very ‘native’ feel,” says Rangan. “Like if I watch Nagraj Manjule’s Sairat for instance, I find [elements] that remind me of Vetrimaaran. But that’s more because these filmmakers do these ‘rooted’ things very well. They give you the sense of the atmosphere, the rhythms of life in that particular environment, they take care to bring them alive.”

His critically acclaimed debut venture, Polladhavan (Ruthless Man) in 2007, followed a lower middle-class young man’s search for his stolen bike, an exercise that takes him through the seamy underworld. Four years later came Aadukalam (Arena), a Pongal release that raked in six National Film Awards. The cockfight arena was where love, ego, honour, friendship and betrayal were played out in the rustic backdrop of Madurai.

Says Manimaran, long-time friend and assistant, “Vetri used to like watching cockfights in the neighbourhood in our hometown. So he thought we could develop a story around them.”

There was no doubt about who would play the lead. “I wrote Aadukalam keeping Dhanush in mind,” says Vetrimaaran. “As an actor, he delivers exactly what I need and sometimes more. As a producer, he offers me complete freedom and does not interfere at all. He trusts me completely.”

Rangan explains the Vetrimaaran touch, “There is a world of difference in the way he uses the song and dance elements in Polladhavan and Aadukalam. They have become more organic and rooted; they’re not fantasy elements.”

“I personally prefer Aadukalam to Visaaranai, but it’s like comparing apples and oranges,” says Hariharan. “Aadukalam had a certain kind of warmth and spontaneity. Visaaranai, to me, looked rather staged.”

He explains, “Visaaranai’s [appeal across the world] is that for the first time in Tamil cinema, you see this kind of brute reality without the director taking recourse to a love story or family drama. It’s also interesting that a country like India allowed such a strongly critical film on the system. There’s no doubt that Vetrimaaran is a bold filmmaker.”

Vetrimaaran’s productive chemistry with Dhanush has paid rich dividends. The two went on to produce Kaaka Muttai (Crow’s Egg) in 2015, a subversive film poking fun at what is regarded as cool - pizzas, in this case. This little gem, premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival, tracks two brothers from a Chennai slum dying to taste a pizza. Directed by M Manikandan with wit, not once is the children’s dignity compromised. Their family struggles in a heartless and corrupt city and soon we find ourselves cheering for our little heroes. Kaaka Muttai pocketed two National Film Awards.

“There is a stamp of quality that people have begun to associate with Vetrimaaran, because even the films he produces are pretty decent,” says Rangan, adding that he looks for, and gets, that certain quality.

Vetrimaaran’s genius lies in shining a light on people we would not even glance at in our rat race. His films show us that ordinary people often lead extraordinary lives if only we stop to talk to them.

Smitten by cinema

Born in Cuddalore near Puducherry and raised in Ranipet, a suburban town in Vellore district, two and a half hours from Chennai, Vetrimaaran was smitten by cinema even as a child. His mother, a writer, ran a school in the area, while his father was a veterinarian. Friends remember him as a film buff who watched every movie that came to town.

“He would bunk classes and watch them, each three or four times. Then he would come to the school ground where we used to hang out until 7:30 in the evening and would retell the whole story to us. My friends and I have actually walked out of the theatre at times because the film was nowhere as good as his narration. He still has that quality,” says Manimaran, his assistant.

Vetrimaaran was in his second year of Masters in English Literature in 1999 when the now-deceased filmmaker Balu Mahendra was invited to judge a short film contest at the Loyola College, Chennai. Shortly afterwards, he attended a seminar conducted by the director and was inspired enough to assist him in Julie Ganapathy, Athu Oru Kanaa Kaalam and the television series Kadhai Neram.

Athu Oru Kanaa Kaalam cemented his friendship with the lead actor, Dhanush, whom he describes as his best friend. While still assisting Balu Mahendra, Vetrimaaran pitched the story of Desiya Nedunchalai, and the actor readily agreed to play the lead.

Recalls Manimaran, “Producers were not hard to come by because we had Dhanush. But a few had misgivings about how Vetri would handle the project as a newcomer. So we tossed aside that script, which I later made into Udhayam NH4.”

The initial years proved to be rough. “I was pitching different scripts to different people for three years and it was the sixth producer who okayed Polladhavan,” says Vetrimaaran on his directorial debut.

Adds Manimaran, who assisted him in the project, “After the film was edited, we were really scared to show it to the producer. We kept stalling the screening telling him it may not have come out as he expected. Finally, when he saw it, he was satisfied. We were relieved and gradually grew confident.”

Pushing for excellence

When Manimaran himself forayed into direction with Udhayam NH4 in 2013, Vetrimaaran returned the favour by stepping in as producer under his banner, Grass Root Film Company. As he puts it, “I want my production house to be a platform for good, interesting ideas. I can find a producer for my films, but others, who may be first-time filmmakers, might have innovative scripts that mainstream producers might not understand. Like Kaaka Muttai for instance.

“I produce films in partnership as I may not be able to afford the entire budget. Dhanush ends up co-producing some of them as our tastes are similar. None of my producers ever ask me for the budget. I always make sure it is within their means and I can give the desired returns.”

For someone who has been successful both commercially as critically, Vetrimaaran has directed only three films in nine years. “For me, every film is a learning process. After each, I take time to unlearn. Then I find new content, learn it completely and then execute it.”

Manimaran describes his working process thus, “Many directors make changes to the script on the spot. But Vetrimaaran is different because he pays attention to detail. He puts in a lot of effort, so there may be last-minute adjustments with lighting and locations. Unlike working with other directors, you need to be available 24 hours.”

Outside of work, the father of two, who met his wife Aarthi while at college, likes to race pigeons, pretty much like the characters he portrays. His rootedness has also led him to voice the germ of an idea: setting up an organic farm eventually.

Rangan describes grit as the definitive quality of Vetrimaaran’s films, and praises his skill in animating the atmosphere in terms of the integrity of the characters, the plot, and the texture. “The way he shapes the characters and writes them, you feel that these are not [just] individual people; you get a sense of where they come from, where they belong. [They’re] not just some random characters floating around.”

His fans are already talking about his fourth film, Vada Chennai (North Chennai), an ambitious gangster trilogy he has been planning since 2003. After undergoing several changes of scripts and stars, Dhanush, Vijay Sethupathi, Amala Paul and Samuthirakkani are among those confirmed on the project that is currently under way. Slated for release next year, Vada Chennai is also bound to have the by-now classic Vetrimaaran stamp.

(Published in arrangement with GRIST Media.)

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Vetrimaaran

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Where to watch

Polladhavan.

Directed by Vetrimaaran

Prabhu is dejected when he learns that his bike has been stolen. He decides to find the people who stole the bike, but lands in trouble when he realises that his bike has been used to transport drugs.

Dhanush Kishore Divya Spandana Daniel Balaji Sentrayan Karunas Daniel Annie Pope Chetan Pawan Bhanupriya Santhanam Anju Prabhakar Brinda Parekh

Director Director

Vetrimaaran

Producer Producer

S. Kathiresan

Writer Writer

Editor editor.

V. T. Vijayan

Cinematography Cinematography

Composer composer.

G. V. Prakash Kumar

Songs Songs

Vairamuthu Kannadasan Na. Muthu Kumar Yugabharathi Kabilan

Group Company

Alternative Title

Ruthless Man

Drama Action

Releases by Date

Theatrical limited, 25 jan 2018, 08 nov 2007, releases by country.

• Theatrical U

Netherlands

• Theatrical limited International Film Festival Rotterdam

150 mins   More at IMDb TMDb Report this page

Popular reviews

Review by Michael James ★★★½

Vetrimaran stamps his mark right away with his debut directorial, delivering a stylishly gripping narrative with well written characters. Dhanush is perfectly apt in the lead role and is well complemented by each n every cast member. It does have its set of commercial compromises, with few unnecessary songs hampering the flow. However, the strong conflict and the intense sequences, make the solid action drama thoroughly engaging.

Review by ananya 🍉 ★★★★★ 7

days until dhanush’s birthday: 0!

rajini sir was so smart to get dhanush and aishwarya married before this movie came out because GODDAMN dhanush in this had me weak in my knees (i say this for every movie but trust me the effect is still the same). is this REALLY a 5 star movie? no, but i love the romance, the songs and the podra scene too much okay so let me live. 

HAPPY BDAY DHANUSH! i can’t wait for captain miller and D51 🫶🏽🫶🏽

Review by ananya 🍉 ★★★★★ 6

i need the engeyum eppothum remix injected in my veins listening to it is not enough

Review by Holmes221 ★★★★★ 3

Podra. - Dhanush (2007)

Review by Vasanthan ★★★★

Antha paiyanukku bayam illa avana laam apdiyae poga vitrukkanum.

The Birth of Vetrimaaran or as Dhanush wud say, the real Polladhavan. Thank you Vetri for the meta moment of naming Dhanush's character after his real name and making it a memorable role in one of his iconic films. And yeah Selvam Supremacy ✨️.

Review by BigDeePee ★★★★ 1

Ippo Hema polla life la vandha enna panva theriyum aa? Kella....Ni Kella.....Aye ni kella...ni kellu machi

Review by Ajinkya Ghatol ★★★½

This could have been a masterpiece,if it would have more elaborate and developed storywise and character wise. Still a great watch.

Review by chantelle

im obsessed with vetrimaaran's brain like i need to be inside it

i've already seen his more recent movies but watching this for the first time it's really interesting to see where/how he started

Review by v1kash ★★★★½

If this film had avoided the compromises that this had, probably wud have been vetri s best, sad that it had to be his first film

He went all inventive with editing in polladhavan but refuses to even think about it in viduthalai

Review by ananya 🍉 ★★★★★

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

how does gv prakash sleep at night knowing he made the best song remix ive ever heard

(the kiss before prabhu loses his bike…🫣)

Review by 8357895738 ★★★★ 3

i love this film; do NOT watch it on sunnxt.

Review by Lathish ★★★★½

this man never misses goatmaaran

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• Here's Vetri Maaran's plan for his film with Vijay

Here's Vetri Maaran's plan for his film with Vijay

Visual Stories

15 years of Polladhavan: A film that defined many things for me, says Dhanush

As the Dhanush-starrer Polladhavan completed 15 years recently, the cast and crew of the film reunited to celebrate the milestone. The film which marked Vetrimaran's debut featured Divya Spandana as a female lead.  Polladhavan 's music was composed by GV Prakash Kumar and all four of them were present at the celebratory event. Divya Spandana shared a series of pictures from the celebration on her social media handles and wrote, "Polladhavan 15 years to the date and thanks to the film I met my longest standing friend Dhanush (he suggested me for the film) through thick & thin Vetri sir it was a pleasure, I learnt so much from you. GV Prakash best BGM  look forward to Polladhavan 2."

Quote-tweeting this, Dhanush noted that he loved catching up with the Polladhavan team and some of his best friends. "15 years of polladhavan. A film that defined so many things for me  Balumahendra sir .. thank you," he wrote.

The action-thriller film was released on November 8, 2007. It revolves around Prabhu (Dhanush), who is disappointed after he finds out that his bike has been stolen. He decides to chase down the thieves but gets into trouble when he learns that his bike was used to smuggle drugs.

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Vetrimaaran

Producer, Writer, Director, Actor

Born September 4, 1975 in Cuddalore, Tamilnadu, India

Vetrimaaran is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer, who works in the Tamil film industry. Vetrimaaran made his directorial debut with the Polladhavan. His second feature film Aadukalam won six National Film Awards. He produces films under his production company, Grass Root Film Company. His movie Visaranai (2016) was selected as India's official entry to the Academy Awards.His film Asuran (2019) was named as the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil.

Filmography

Connections

Aadukalam Naren

Aishwarya Rajesh

Samuthirakani

Andrea Jeremiah

Kishore Kumar G.

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Here’s everything we know about the dark comedic thriller and its take on suburban domesticity.

What is it Nightbitch about?

The official logline states that Adams stars as a woman “thrown into the stay-at-home routine of raising a toddler in the suburbs, who slowly embraces the feral power deeply rooted in motherhood, as she becomes increasingly aware of the bizarre and undeniable signs that she may be turning into a canine.”

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Who is in the cast of Nightbitch ?

Adams plays the main character with Scoot McNairy playing her husband. The rest of the cast includes Arleigh Patrick Snowden, Emmett James Snowden, Zoë Chao, Mary Holland, Archana Rajan, and Jessica Harper.

“Rachel Yoder’s book took my breath away,” said Heller. “I haven’t felt this way about a book since I read The Diary of a Teenage Girl many years ago. Rachel’s darkly hilarious tale of motherhood and rage made me feel seen. And adapting it with Amy Adams in mind has been the thing that has kept me going through the pandemic.”

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Netflix ‘s upcoming comedy series from Erin Foster , starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody , has gotten a title, release date and a first-look photo. FKA Untitled Erin Foster Show, the series is now titled Nobody Wants This . It’s slated to premiere on the streamer September 26. You can see a first-look photo of Bell and Brody above. Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria announced the news Wednesday during the streamer’s Upfront presentation in New York City.

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“This show is based on the only good decision I ever made: falling for a nice Jewish boy,’ Foster said in a statement to Tudum. “But I realized that being happy is way harder than being miserable (there’s nothing to complain about). So, I created this show based on all the ways that finding the right person can be so hard. Nobody Wants This, but we do, and that’s all that matters.”

Cast also includes Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Stephanie Faracy, Tovah Feldshuh, Paul Ben-Victor, Michael Hitchcock, Jackie Tohn, Sherry Cola and Shiloh Bearman.

Additional, Emily Arlook ( Grown-ish ) joins in a recurring role in a recasting as Rebecca, Noah’s “perfect” Jewish girlfriend who has done “everything right” to get him to propose.

Foster serves as creator and co-showrunner with Craig DiGregorio. Foster and DiGregorio executive produce with Steven Levitan, Kristen Bell, Sara Foster, Danielle Stokdyk, Jeff Morton and Jack Burditt. Oly Obst is executive producer for 3arts. The series is produced for Netflix by 20th Television in association with Steven Levitan Productions.

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Kerry Washington’s ‘UnPrisoned’ Season 2 to Debut at the American Black Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)

World premieres include Wu-Tang Clan documentary 'Ol' Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys' and 'Down in the Valley,' inspired by 'P-Valley'

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The lineup for the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival continues to get more star studded with the world premiere of the second season of Kerry Washington ‘s Hulu series “ UnPrisoned .”

Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.

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“It’s an honor to return to ABFF and open the festival with the HBO Short Film Award Showcase,” said Dennis Williams, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Warner Bros. Discovery. “Now in its 27th year, the HBO Short Film Award Showcase is a defining example of our commitment to ABFF and to launching the careers of emerging Black filmmakers.”

The short film competition, sponsored by HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery has helped launch the careers of successful filmmakers, including Ryan Coogler (“Fig,” 2011 award winner), Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Stone Cars,” 2013 finalist), Rashaad Ernesto Green (“Premature,” 2008 winner), Frank E. Flowers (“Swallow,” 2003 winner) and Steven Caple, Jr. (“A Different Tree,” 2013 winner).

This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, Fla., followed by a virtual segment June 17-24 on ABFF PLAY. Winners of the film festival competition will be announced on June 15, during the “Best of ABFF Awards” hosted by Emmy nominee Dondré Whitfield.

HBO Short Film Award Showcase “Chocolate with Sprinkles” (World Premiere) On their 25th wedding anniversary, a bickering married couple is given one day to do something they haven’t done in 25 years – work on their marriage. USA | 19 min Director: Huriyyah Muhammad Writer: Huriyyah Muhammad Producer: Okema T. Moore, Yha Mourhia Wright, Cole Sanchez Cast: Reno Wilson, Keisha Thompson, Camron Jones, Lillian Gilbert

“Muna” A film about teenage dreams, dislocated grief and unexpected connection, following a British-Somali teen navigating a confusing mourning period for a family member she never met. United Kingdom | 19 min Director: Warda Mohamed Writer: Warda Mohamed Producer: Angela Moneke, Simon Hatton Cast: Kosar Ali, Raha Isse Farah, Elmi Rashid Elmi, Ahmed Nur

“Once Upon A Dime” (World Premiere) Nkosi plans and executes the perfect first date, but as the sun sets, we realize that things with Nkosi aren’t quite what they seem. USA | 12 min Director/Writer/Producer: Lauren Julia Cast: Quincy Chad, Anjali Khetan

“The Brown Dog” (World Premiere) Night after night, a watchman clocks into his lonely booth and spends hours composing endless security logs to stay awake, as he slowly descends into darkness. USA | 14 min Director: Nadia Hallgren, Jamie-James Medina Writer: Willis Earl Beal Producer: Nadia Hallgren, Jamie-James Medina, Michael Stirton Cast: Michael K. Williams, Steve Buscemi

“The Rebel Girls” The true story of the 1960s fight for Civil Rights through the eyes of the girls who reinvigorated the struggling movement through the power of magical thinking, friendship, faith, and fortitude. USA | 22 min Director: Felicia D Henderson Writer: Felicia D Henderson Producer: Felicia D Henderson, Katrina Kudlick Cast: Nika King, Kyanna Simone, Nia Sondaya, Honey Robinson, Asia Holiday, Josephine Lawrence, Avynn Crowder-Jones, Maxcianna Saintilus

Spotlight Screenings “Affion Crockett Presents Microphone Masters: Comedy, Community, and Collaboration” Moderated by Talitha Watkins, president & head of ColorCreative, with panelists Affion Crockett, actor, comedian and producer; Delmar Washington, director and producer; and Keesha Boyd, VP, entertainment products, Comcast and executive producer for the Black Experience on Xfinity. Enjoy a full episode screening and discussion centering on the creative process and collaborative work in bringing this 3-part stand-up comedy docuseries to life. Run time: 56 minutes Creator & Producer: Affion Crockett Courtesy of: Comcast NBCUniversal Black Experience on Xfinity

“Down In the Valley” (Premiere) A documentary series inspired by the vibrant world of “P-Valley,” set to air in 2024. The six, half-hour episode series, hosted and executive produced by Nicco Annan (“P-Valley”), will take viewers on a tantalizing tour of the Deep South, unveiling a complex South that is equal parts poignant, joyful, and magical. Run time: 25 min Host: Nicco Annan Courtesy of: STARZ

“Found” Be the first to see the heart-pounding season two premiere of NBC’s hit crime drama series “Found.” Following will be an intimate conversation with co-showrunner/executive producer Sonay Hoffman and stars Arlen Escarpeta (“Zeke”) and Gabrielle Walsh (“Lacey”). PR specialist Gabi Mosley (Shanola Hampton) and her team are dedicated to finding missing people. But Gabi has a chilling secret – she’s locked up her childhood kidnapper Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) in the basement to help her crack every case. Now Sir has escaped and is on the loose. And her biggest secret is now her biggest threat. Run time: 43 minutes Cast: Shanola Hampton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kelli Williams, Brett Dalton, Gabrielle Walsh, Arlen Escarpeta and Karan Oberoi Creator: Nkechi Okoro Carroll Showrunners: Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Sonay Hoffman Courtesy of: Comcast NBCUniversal and NBC

“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” (World Premiere) The definitive documentary on Wu-Tang Clan founding member Ol’ Dirty Bastard. The film explores how Russell Tyrone Jones created Ol’ Dirty Bastard, a Hip Hop alter ego superhero that would ultimately consume him. Featuring interviews with Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon and Ghost Requested Run time: 86 minutes Courtesy of: A&E

“UnPrisoned” (World Premiere) Join the world premiere screening of the second season of Hulu’s heartfelt dramedy “UnPrisoned,” starring Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo, followed by a fireside chat with executive producers Washington and Tracy McMillan. In season two, the Alexander family is still a mess. Paige’s therapy practice is in trouble, Finn’s anxiety is through the roof, Edwin is still figuring out how to get his life together outside of prison, and their relationships are more complicated than ever. The family needs help, and it’s time to call in a professional – OTHER than Paige. The Alexanders turn to a “family radical healing coach,” who throws out all the rules to free them of the issues, old wounds and family secrets holding them back. Run time: 26:42 Cast: Kerry Washington (EP/Star) and Tracy McMillan (Creator/EP) Courtesy of: Onyx Collective, ABC Signature and Hulu

Series A competitive section for short-form episodic television directed by and/or both written and produced by persons of African descent. Each series in this section will compete for the jury award for best series — a $2,500 cash prize presented by Comcast NBCUniversal’s Black Experience on Xfinity.

“ Mo Brown’s Bodega ” (World Premiere) Explore the bizarre world of a local NYC bodega owner as she attempts to rid herself of the family business against her father’s wishes, all in hopes to achieve her wildest dreams. USA | 8 min Director: Mo Brown Writer: Mo Brown, Xavier Francis, Tiffany Jordan Producer: Mo Brown, Xavier Francis, Patrice Waite Cast: Mo Brown, Vesta Walker

“On Second Thought” (World Premiere) Autumn, a married woman, finds herself entangled in a secret affair that results in her lover mysteriously turning up dead. USA | 20 min Director: Eric J. Dickens Writer: Eric J. Dickens Producer: Eric J. Dickens, Dawn Halfkenny Cast: Dawn Halfkenny, Lawrence Robinson, Andrea Lewis, Robert Gordon

“Unsolicited” (World Premiere) An opinionated misfit exposes the personal lives of his sister and new neighbors in a weekly column. USA | 29 min Director: Chazitear Martin Writer: Barshea Lowery Producer: Barshea Lowery, Aysia Moorer, Chazitear Martin Cast: Barshea Lowery, Seth Dousman, Aysia Moore, Shayla Love, Terrill Patterson, Todd Anthony Manaigo, Schwanda Winston, Caroline Avery Granger, Mac Wells, Brandon Dunn

Voices Of Culture This section celebrates diverse voices and perspectives within the filmmaking community.

“1 Up” (U.S. Premiere) Andrew searches for guidance and connection through his late father’s record collection. United Kingdom |16 min Director: Greg Francis Writer: Greg Francis Producer: Tobi Kyeremateng Cast: Lamar Waves, Mina Andala, Sean Earl McPherson

“32” (World Premiere) A woman realizes she’s the same age with the same ailment that her father had when he passed away and she finds herself trying to balance the ebb and flow of this bittersweet feeling and phase of her life. USA | 15 min Director: Stewart Yost Writer: Shakira Ja’nai Paye Producer: Shakira Ja’nai Paye & Stewart Yost Cast: Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Gail Bean

“Alliés” (U.S. Premiere) Back from a trip to Africa, Amaury wants to tell his friends that he wants to change his identity. France | 15 min Director: Salif Cissé Writer: Salif Cissé Producer: Walid Bekhti Cast: Guillaume Morel, Agathe Mazouin, Alexandre Auvergne, Clémence Coullon, Myriam Fitcher, Mikaël-Don Giancarli

“Baby Something” (World Premiere) A Ghanaian-American woman and a Ghanaian-Indian man embark on their journey of parenthood, but the universal politics of race quickly becomes a piercing obstacle for her to overcome. Ghana | 18 min Director: Nicole F. Amarteifio Writer: Nicole F. Amarteifio Producer: Nicole F. Amarteifio, Ramesh Jai Gulabrai Cast: Nicole F. Amarteifio, Ramesh Jai Gulabrai, Niyara Afua Gulabrai

“Definitely Not A Monster” After a beloved icon dies after being accused of rape, his devoted widow invites a journalist into their home to clear his name. USA | 19 min Director: Brea Cola Angelo Writer: Brea Cola Angelo Producer: Jaqueline Fabricius, Koury Angelo, Audra Todd, Stephen Enloe Cast: April Grace, Brea Cola Angelo

“Haven” (World Premiere) A man questions his notion of a safe place, then confronts disturbing beings that appear in his home. USA | 10 min Director: Corey Emanuel Jr. Writer: Corey Emanuel Jr. Producer: Lili Dessalegn Tegegn, Corey Emanuel Jr., Shellita Boxie Cast: Andre De’Sean Shanks, Kingston Zelaya, Dominique McCllelan, Shelitta Boxie

“How To Sue The Klan” The Legacy of the Chattanooga Five. USA | 35 min Director: John Beder Producer: John Beder, Benjamin Crump, Cameron S. Mitchell, Raji Ramanathan Cast: Ben Crump, Randolph McLaughlin, Juanita Toney, Nate Crumsey, Sonya Rollins, Connie Rollins, Betty Lawrence Lewis, Roberta Kaplan

“Lucille” A man’s overly talkative wife disrupts her elderly husband’s day of peace. USA | 13 min Director: Warren S. L. Burke Writer: Warren S. L. Burke Producer: Warren S. L. Burke, Rebecca Herrick Cast: Loretta Devine & Frankie Faison

“My Brother & Me” (World Premiere) A coming-of-age story about two brothers who attempt to rob their distant father of their overdue child support. USA | 17 min Director: Ryan DeForeest Writer: Ryan DeForeest Producer: Ryan DeForeest, Lexx Truss, Shandrea Evans Cast: Alexander Bello, Zechariah Eubanks, Rodney Hobbs, Katie Kelley, Micah Kobayashi, Riley Nelson, Thaddeus Newman

“Ninth Life” (World Premiere) A predominantly non-verbal drama series exploring the interconnections of a group of young BIPOC creatives in London. United Kingdom | 14 min Director: JOMO (Tajana Tokyo & Sannchia Gaston) Writer: JOMO (Tajana Tokyo & Sannchia Gaston) Producer: Alli Maxwell, Scarlett Anderson, Somesuch, Miriam Cast: Michelle Zan, Gabriel Goux, Yos Clark, Kikz Katika, Lisa Sainvil, Fatou Bah, Benjamin Williams, Robia Milliner, Tajorn Brown, Belen Leroux, Aahkilah Cornelius, Sweetny Ojule, Webster Opiyo, Keith Alexander, Tyrik Patterson, Genesis Lynea & Remi Black

“Promise” (World Premiere) Promise, a single mother facing deportation and John, an ex-con with a business idea, find their marriage of convenience becoming something more. USA | 21 min Director: D. Wilmos Paul Writer: D. Wilmos Paul Producer: Anuradha Srikanth, Ned Johnson and D. Wilmos Paul Cast: Artrece Johnson and Donnevan Tolbert

“The Origin” Tep, one of the only legitimate heirs of an ancient extraterrestrial power, finds himself forced to join forces with a wise sage and his tribal brother to fight off alien mercenaries sent to eliminate them. USA | 26 min Director: Jorge Sanchez Writer: Jorge Sanchez Producer: Jtasha St. Cyr, Morris Chestnut, Jorge Sanchez Cast: Morris Chestnut, Alimi Ballard, J.Chris Rouse, Lanre Idewu, Kearia Schroeder, Page Kennedy, Jayce Kennedy

“X: The Interview” (World Premiere) A canceled superhero facing eviction turns to his side hustle for survival. As he embarks on his journey, he discovers dark powers are conspiring against him… USA | 19 min Director: RJ Barnes, Anthony Rose Writer: RJ Barnes Producer: RJ Barnes, Anthony Rose, Anthony Baldino Cast: Brandon Broady, Stephanie Elyse, Jerah Milligan, Jacqueline Legrande, Christopher Hancock, Patrice Lakey, Kate McIntyre, Arayawna Moore, Leah “L” Knauer, Jeremy “Gumbo” Christian

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Alien: Romulus

While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

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• Trivia Director Fede Alvarez sought out special effects crew from Aliens (1986) to work on the creatures. Physical sets, practical creatures, and miniatures were used wherever possible to help ground later VFX work.
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• August 16, 2024 (United States)
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