In Mumbai, a city teeming with life and challenges, two nurses - Prabha (Kani Kusruti) and Anu (Divya Prabha) - find themselves navigating through the turmoil. They strive to carve out a place for themselves amidst the bustling urban landscape. This narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a wave of feminist movies that have been grabbing attention, with each using its unique style to address difficult topics. All We Imagine As Light stands out as it offers a different perspective, reminding us that subtlety and sincerity can be powerful tools.

Grand Prix at Cannes and Its Impact

Indian director Payal Kapadia's second film, All We Imagine As Light, won the Grand Prix at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This significant achievement brought much-deserved recognition to a type of indie film that often poses marketing challenges. It is a thoughtful, naturalistic, and character-focused work with a poetic view of the bustling urban life. Kapadia's vision immerses us in the rhythms of the city, guiding us through moments of unexpected happenstance and beauty.

Documentary Background and Project Conception

Kapadia initially conceived this project while in film school when two of her relatives were hospitalized. Spending time with nurses and conducting interviews, she began to see the hospital as an ideal setting for a drama about women's work. Her documentary background is evident in the voiceover interludes where anonymous Mumbai residents share their perspectives on the city's identity. People from all over India come here in search of work, including the film's two protagonists. Prabha is responsible and selfless, always ready to help her friends and colleagues. Anu, on the other hand, is more fun-loving and rebellious, embarking on a secret romance with a Muslim boy while dealing with parental pressure for an arranged marriage.

Prabha's Marital Struggle

"How could you marry a total stranger?" Anu asks at one point, highlighting the contrast. Prabha did marry a man who works overseas and hasn't called home in a year. This has left her in a state of marital limbo, having to support herself financially while tied to a distant husband. Her story shows the constraints faced by working-class women in India.

Political Underpinnings of the Story

Every aspect of this story is deeply political. Anu's love life, Prabha's efforts to help an undocumented coworker keep her apartment, and the gender dynamics within the hospital's all-female nursing workforce all contribute to a complex narrative. Led by two nuanced and engaging performances, this film is an impressive achievement from a perceptive independent storyteller. It makes a clear statement about the challenges faced by working-class women and their determination to overcome them.Writer/director Payal Kapadia delivers a memorable and compassionate slice-of-life drama that leaves a lasting impact. It showcases the strength and resilience of these two nurses and the issues they face in their daily lives.