Chidananda S Naik with Anupama Chopra | Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know... | FC At Cannes'24

Director Chidananda S Naik speaks to Anupama Chopra about making Sunflowers Were the First to Know, which was selected for La Cinef at the 77th Cannes Film Festival out of 2,623 submissions. Naik has wanted to tell this story, based on folklore from Karnataka, from a very young age. He opens up about how his friends from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) came together to make this film, the importance of meticulous pre-production, the story behind the title, and what he’s looking forward to at the Festival this year.

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00:00 - FC at Cannes'24 with Chidananda S Naik
00:28 - Being selected at Cannes’24
00:54 - The story of the film being derived from a common idiom in the Kannada region
02:02 - The key hands involved in making the film
02:52 - Shooting the film, and the process involved
03:34 - Pulling this off with limited resources and how!
04:38 - The one thing that challenged them the most
05:31 - Creating particular images for the film
06:21 - Chidananda’s next film
07:42 - What is Chidananda looking forward to the most?

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[anuragap]

The beginning of Kannada Industry in global level by Chidananda 😍

[supr]

ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹೆಮ್ಮೆ! I am happy to see Chidananda say he will prioritise the storytelling and emotions over other aspects of filmmaking. I'll be keenly awaiting news of his next upcoming projects.

[lathanarayanan]

Just now watched it. Brilliant. So proud of it.❤

[vinaygunavante]

Chidanand you have made Kannadigas Proud .. All the best for your future endeavors ✌

[Rolexsir]

We had a kannada chapter in primary school, "Ajjiya Jambha" ( grandma's arrogance) that's where he got idea, the famous folk tale in kannada ❤💛🇩🇪

[saimaiqbal]

The constant smile on his face and I regained my faith that no matter what, 'Movies will be magic' always ❤

[samrao]

We are very proud of you Mr. Chidanand Naik. Congratulations 🎉. Continuing the awards like peers, Girish kasaravai, karnad, karanth, TS Nagabharana, P Seshadri

[nainadargan]

SO SO SO happy that this is the first interview from Cannes. Chidaaa is outstanding and I can’t wait for the world to see his cinema 🥺🌈

[miheelparmar]

TV wing represent!! Congratulations to the team sunflowers 🌻🌻🌻🌻

[praveenv]

Thank god..someone from Kannada industry, getting appreciation ❤

[prabha]

So proud of you Chidanand Sir keep growing and keep the flag high of both Karnataka and India 👏 🙏 👍 all the best for your future endeavors.

[divyakharnare]

This brings a smile to our face! Really proud!!!

[KarthikBeerappa]

And the film won first place in Cannes 🥳
Proud moment for us ❤❤

[anjuaa]

Wow….this is gold standard..Congratulations Chidanand and team 🌻🎥💛❤️🇮🇳

[sreerampattathil]

Making the entire department and insti proud 🎉🎉

[PokhrajRoy.]

Congratulations to them on being selected for La Cinef.

[vg]

I remember this story as part of a kannada movie song 'suvarna sethuvae' where kids perform on school stage and it is beautiful that kannada folklores are being introduced to the world audience...Congratulations

[adarsh_adi]

Best Short Film at Cannes Film Festival 👍👏

[raveendrakulkarni]

Hearty Congratulations. ಅಭಿನಂದನೆಗಳು ಚಿದಾನಂದ ಅವರಿಗೆ 💥

[lathanarayanan]

Excellent!! Golden days of kannada movies are coming back ❤