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'Sara'S' review: Anchored by a powerful script, this simple film breaks the conventions of the feel-good template

Jude Anthany Joseph's third feature, after Ohm Shanti Oshana and Oru Muthassi Gadha, released on Prime Video at midnight today. This seemingly feel-good film, also seemingly made in limited spaces and with a shoestring budget, tackles a concept and issue never tested before in Malayalam cinema  circles. In Sara'S, we follow the life of Sara Vincent (Anna Ben), a young, bubbly, yet unapologetic filmmaker who struggles to make it big in the industry. She continuously assists male directors and is in the scripting works of her dream film. Sara has decided, from her school days, that she would not bear any kids. This is when she meets Jeevan (Sunny Wayne); her relationship with him subsequently brings her ideology and decision into a confrontation with the established norms of society, family and child-rearing.  Anna Ben in Sara'S The best aspect in which Sara'S has excelled, without doubt, is its hard-hitting taut script. Debutant Akshay Hareesh deserves praise for managin

Joaquin Phoenix lashes out at 'systemic racism' in Hollywood

In what seemed an appropriate show of support to the criticism by cine lovers on the instances of racial prejudice in the industry, actor Joaquin Phoenix lambasted the 'systemic racism' currently prevailing in the industry, while accepting his Best Actor statuette during the BAFTA Awards ceremony on Sunday. In his critical speech, he pointed out that while he felt "honored" with the recognition from the British Film Academy, he also felt "conflicted" as actors of his stature failed to get the necessary and worthy recognition for their performances. The British Academy received flak over two weeks ago, as its nominations list contained only white actors and actresses, while it snubbed performers of color. Cynthia Erivo, Awkwafina, Antonio Banderas and Jennifer Lopez were some of the performers from diverse backgrounds, who had been snubbed for their acclaimed performances in the past year. The Academy had also failed to recognise women directors in their n