IFFK 2022: The best Malayalam titles that graced the festival this year

The International Film Festival of Kerala has been a place where cinephiles have been celebrating the best of cinema the silver screen has to offer from around the world, for more than a quarter century now. This year’s edition of IFFK, the 27th edition of the renowned festival, kicked off at Thiruvananthapuram on December 9, 2022. The festival saw over 180 titles from across 70 countries being screened across 14 screens, offering a wonderful array of titles spanning across genres and languages for cinephiles to soak in.

Among the sections were ‘Malayalam Cinema Today’, a category that offers a selection of contemporary thought provoking Malayalam films. The ‘International Competition’ section too witnessed some memorable Malayalam titles being screened, with some Malayalam films also having their debut Indian premiere at this year’s IFFK as well. Here are some must watch Malayalam titles which were screened at IFFK 2022, which should not escape your watchlist.

Vazhakk (The Quarrel)

Starring Tovino Thomas, Kani Kusruthi and Sudev Nair, Vazhakk had its Indian premiere at this year’s IFFK, in the Malayalam Cinema Today section. The Sanal Kumar Sasidharan follows the story of a man on the brink of divorce whose life changes after a fateful meeting with Sathi, and her mute daughter. In conversation with OTTplay, director Sanal had said “Vazhakku is an extension of my previous films. Quest for life is the central theme in all my movies. At its core, the film analyses how the small friction within our families spreads to the society”.

Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (Like an Afternoon Dream)

Lijo Jose Pellissery’s directorial was screened at IFFK as part of the International Competition section. The film stars Mammootty and tells the tale of a named James who, after stopping a bus full of Malayali natives who are on a return journey from Velankanni, starts to behave like a Tamil Native named Sundaram. The film, which marks the first collaboration of Mammootty and Lijo, also had its World Premiere at the film festival.

Pada

Pada is based on the true story of a group of radicals who plan a radical protest to voice their concerns about the amendments made by the Kerala Government to the Adivasi (Aboriginals) Land Act in 1996. Directed by Kamal K M and starring Kunchacko Boban, Joju George, Vinayakan, and Dileesh Pothan, Pada can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Pada was screened at IFFK as part of the Malayalam Cinema Today section.

Freedom Fight

This anthology film consists of five short films which revolve around the stories of individuals across different circumstances, connected by their struggle for freedom. The film’s directors include Jeo Baby, Kunjila Mascillamani, Jithin Issac Thomas, Akhil Anilkumar, Francies Louis. Freedom Fight, which was screened under the Malayalam Cinema Today section at IFFK, is available to stream on SonyLIV.

Ariyippu (Declaration)

Ariyippu and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam were both screened in the International Competition section. The film, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, follows the story of a Malayali couple working in a medical glove factory in Delhi, whose lives are upended when a mysterious video leaks. Not only does Ariyippu mark Kunchacko Boban and Mahesh Narayanan’s most recent collaboration since Take Off, the film also marks the actor’s first direct to OTT release. Ariyippu will be available to stream on Netflix from December 16 onwards.

Vettapattikalum Ottakarum’ (The Hounds And The Runners)

Directed by Rarish G, the film was screened in the Malayalam Cinema Today section. The film’s story revolves around the themes of violations in personal freedoms, which has become a common occurrence these days. Athira Harikumar , Adith U S , Shaji A John , Thomas George , Usha T T and Esha Reshu star in the film.

DhabariQuruvi

This Priyanandanan T R directorial’s title is in reference to a folk myth, about a sparrow who is unaware of their father’s whereabouts. The film’s synopsis reads “The story of a naive tribal girl, who rises to proclaim her solitary rights on her body and decisions upon it”. The film was screened in the Malayalam Cinema Today section.