Jatla Siddhartha’s directorial ‘In the Belly of a Tiger’ to premiere at the Berlin Film Festival – Know what’s in store

Renowned Indian director and cinematographer, Jatla Siddhartha, has brought together some of the most prominent figures in global cinema for his latest project, In the Belly of a Tiger. Scheduled to premiere next week at the Berlin Film Festival, the film is described as a fusion of surreal horror and altruistic affection. It fictionalizes purportedly true occurrences in rural India, depicting a couple's decision to sacrifice themselves to a tiger to safeguard their family's economic well-being.

What is In the Belly of a Tiger about?

Penned by Siddhartha and Amanda Mooney, the narrative centers on two landless farmers, Bhagole and Prabhata, who come back to their village following unsuccessful endeavors in urban areas. Upon their return, they find their village in turmoil following the demise of a fellow farmer, a victim of a tiger attack. With their land gone, the family relies solely on the meager earnings of their son, toiling away in a brick factory. As their last glimmer of hope teeters on the brink of collapse, the elderly parents contemplate extreme measures in pursuit of a compensation payout.

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The Crew of In the Belly of a Tiger

The international production team boasts music crafted by Japan's Umebayashi Shigeru, sound design overseen by India's multi-Oscar-winning talent, Resul Pookutty, and color grading handled at the mainland Chinese studio owned and operated by acclaimed fantasy and action director Wuershan. Notably, Resul, recognized for his excellence in sound mixing, clinched the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing alongside Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp for their work on Slumdog Millionaire.

Sidharth spoke to Variety recently and outlined what he feels about the project. He said, “Speaking to the soul of India, my film uses Indian mythology as a signal of hope to tell a deeply personal love story designed to put these invisible lives at the center of human consciousness.”

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Filming in Hindi and predominantly featuring non-professional actors, Siddhartha, according to the report, resided in the village setting beforehand to conduct thorough research. During this time, he encountered numerous families grappling with escalating debts, ultimately leading them to forfeit their land. Stripped of their possessions, they resorted to unconventional means to sustain their families' livelihoods.

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