Classic Malayalam Film ‘Amma Ariyan’ to Grace Cannes After Four Decades

Nearly forty years after its original release, the film has been restored to a stunning 4K resolution by the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF). It stands out as the only Indian feature film selected for the festival this year. The narrative follows a group of friends on a journey to inform a mother of her son's death, capturing the essence of political disillusionment and memory in 1970s Kerala.

The restoration process was a painstaking effort, transforming damaged 35mm prints into a high-quality digital masterpiece. Teams in Chennai and Bologna carried out extensive manual interventions—especially in sound restoration—to preserve the film's original soul. Regarded as one of the most revolutionary voices in Indian cinema, John Abraham created this film through a unique community-funded model. The screening at Cannes will be attended by FHF director Shivendra Singh Dungarpur along with the film’s lead actor and technical crew, marking a proud moment for Indian cinematic heritage.