Anthany Joseph and Tovino Thomas' film '2018: Everyone is a Hero' is India's official entry to Oscars 2024

Multi-starrer survival drama “2018-Everyone is a Hero,” is India’s official entry to the Academy Awards 2024, the Film Federation of India announced here on Wednesday.

Addressing a press conference, Girish Kasaravalli, noted film maker and chairman of the selection committee announced that the Malayalam movie has been picked for its very relevant theme on climate change and the travails of people vis-a-vis what has been understood as development in the society.

Ravi Kottarakara, FFI President said a 16-member selection committee led by Kasaravalli screened films. As many as 22 films including The Kerala Story (Hindi), Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani,  Mrs Chatterjee Vs Norway (Hindi), Balagam (Telugu),Vaalvi (Marathi), Baaplyok (Marathi) and August 16, 1947 (Tamil) were considered before picking the Malayalam flick, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph.

The director shared a post on Instagram for the announcement, have a look:

 

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A post shared by Jude Anthany Joseph (@judeanthanyjoseph)

The Tovino Thomas, Kunchako Boban starrer film revolves around the 2018 floods that wreaked havoc in Kerala. Its cast include Tanvi Ram and Aparna Balamurali.

In its review of the film, Firstpost wrote- “2018 is less Aashiq and more Hollywood in its approach to a real-life drama. Revise that: it is an all-out embrace of a well-worn Hollywood template for disaster flicks, abjuring New Age Malayalam cinema’s famed penchant for understated, slice-of-life storytelling and immersive characterisation. And so, it begins with news of the background leading up to the deluge, introduces us to a bunch of charming people whose fates can be guessed with about 98 per cent accuracy not long into the running time, establishes a person with villainous intent and finds a handsome heroic figure in the midst of several good souls.”

With added inputs from agencies