International Competition

Section

Invitation

In a remote mountain village of Darjeeling, ten-year-old Tashi and his old grandma live next to a family who helps them to fend for their livelihood. Their job is to look after the cardamom orchard at night from the wild animals. An approaching wedding event at their patron’s house finds Tashi excited and restless. Will they be invited?

Japanese Premiere

Screening Dates, Times, and Venues

Guest Talk Session After Screening

Online
Screening

Director:Saurav Rai

  • India
  • 2019
  • 85min
  • Color
  • DCP
  • Nepali
  • JPN & ENG Sub.

Writer: Saurav Rai | Main Casts: Master Pravesh Gurung, Chandra Dewan, Sunil Rai, Kamala Lepcha, Teresa Rai, Dig Bijay Singh Rai | Producer(s): Sanjay Gulati & Neeraj Panday | Cinematographer: Appu Prabhakar | Sound: Ankita Purkayastha | Editor: Jishnu Sen | Mix: Sudeepta Sadhukhan | Music: Lokesh Kanithi

World Premiere : Rotterdam International Film Festival 2020

Saurav Rai is an alumnus of the Satyajit Ray Film and T.V Institute, with a degree in Film Direction & Screenplay Writing. His graduation film Gudh/Nest was in the official selection at the 69th Cannes Cinefondation (2016) . His debut feature film, Invitation, premiered at the Rotterdam International Film Festival, 2020 in the Bright Future Main Programme.

Director’s Statement

I always consider the power of compassion to be the greatest virtue in our life. The film is inspired by a true event at a wedding, an uninvited local small boy was accused of being guilty by people. He could be innocent but became a vent for the stressful day. This incident gave me an insight of the class struggle between the ‘Haves’ and the “Have-Nots”.

Director

Trailer