Family (2023 film)
| Family | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Film poster | |
| Directed by | Don Palathara |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Newton Cinema |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Jaleel Badusha |
| Edited by | Don Palathara |
| Music by | Basil C J |
Production company | Newton Cinema |
Release dates |
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Running time | 111 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
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]
Plot
[edit]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
[edit]- Vinay Forrt as Sony
- Divya Prabha as Rani
- Nilja K Baby as Neethu
- Mathew Thomas as Nobi
- Abhija Sivakala as Jaya
- KK Indira as Nun
- Hridesh TB as Subin
- Jolly Chirayath[3]
- Sajitha Madathil[3]
- Aarsha Chandini Baiju as Sony's bride
Release
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]| Year | Event | Category and award | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Halicarnassus Film Festival,Turkey | Best Film | Family | Won | [6] |
| 2023 | Indian Film Festival of Melbourne | Best Indie Film 2023 | Nominated | [6] | |
| 2023 | Indian Film Festival of Melbourne | Best Director | Don Palathara | [6] | |
| 2023 | Melbourne Cineverse Festival | Best Film | Family | ||
| 2023 | International Film Festival of Kerala | Best Film,International Competition | [7] | ||
| 2023 | International Film Festival Innsbruck | Best Picture | [8] | ||
| 2024 | Ajantha Ellora Film Festival | Best Film | |||
| 2024 | Indian Film Festival Bhubaneswar | Best Film | |||
| 2024 | Third Eye Asian Film Festival | Best Film | Family | Won | |
| 2023 | Soul Place Film Festival | ||||
| 2024 | Sevilla Indie Film Festival | ||||
| 2024 | Stockholm Independent Film Festival | [9] | |||
| 2024 | FIPRESCI India Grand Prix 2023 | Best Film | Family | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ "Family". IFFR EN. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ "Don Palathara's Family to be screened at the Bengaluru International Film Festival". The Indian Express. 16 March 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Don Palathara's Family wins Best Film award at Halicarnassus Film Festival, Turkey". Cinema Express. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Home - Family". www.donpalathara.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Vinay Forrt starrer 'Family' wins Best Film at Halicarnassus Film Festival in Turkey". English.Mathrubhumi. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 12 September 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Vinay Forrt's Family wins big at Stockholm Independent Film Festival". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 31 May 2024. Retrieved 31 May 2024.
External links
[edit]- Family at IMDb
- Family at Rotten Tomatoes