Balekempa (translation: The Bangle Seller) is a 2018 Kannada drama film written and directed by Ere Gowda. Produced by Zoo Entertainment Pvt Ltd, the film is about the relationship between a travelling bangle seller and his wife. The film was included in the list of the ten most notable films at the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Plot Kempanna, the bangle seller, roams the countryside adorning the hands and faces of women with beauty products. Yet he seems to have little time for his own wife, Saubaghya. Indeed, the only activity that husband and wife do together is taking care of Kempanna's invalid mother. Otherwise, Kempanna seems to prefer the company of his childhood friend, Hanuma, in the quiet and private setting of Hanuma's farm. Meanwhile, Saubaghya's only companion is the neighbour's teenage son Mahesha, who delivers the milk and can't quite control his hormones. The now long married couple's inability to conceive is a concern for Saubaghya's mother who goes to the local deity and prays for the boon of a child. However, without Kempanna's participation, prayers have little effect.
When Saubaghya insists on getting a life insurance policy and disappears to her mother's house, Kempanna has to face what is really wrong with their marriage. For behind every frustration there seem to lurk burning desires. Who is concealing the greater secret - husband, or wife? While society watches, will a child be born?
Awards YearCountryFestivalCategoryResultComments2018Brazil!International Film Festival in São PauloCompetição de Novos Diretores (New Directors Competition)IndiaDharamshala International Film FestivalMumbai Academy of the Moving ImageIndiagoldIndian PremierJapanFukuoka International Film Festival, JapanJapanese PremierPolandTransatlantyk Festival, PolandNew CinemaAustraliaAsia Pacific Screen AwardsAchievement in CinematographyIndian Film Festival of MelbourneAustralian PremiereSouth KoreaJeonju International Film FestivalWorld CinemascapeLas Palmas de Gran Canaria International Film FestivalCanadaInternational Film Festival of South Asia, TorontoCanada PremiereUKEast End Film FestivalUK PremiereUSANew York Indian Film FestivalBest filmUS PremiereBest directorNetherlandsInternational Film Festival RotterdamFIPRESCI Award"For its subtle and delightful portrayal of a universal theme against the background of a rich local culture."2017IndiaNFDC Film BazaarWork-in-Progress Lab
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