Shaunak Sen's All That Breathes, India's sole entry at Cannes 2022, wins L'Oeil d'Or

Shaunak Sen's documentary, All That Breathes, has won L'Oeil d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2022. It was India's only entry at the festival.

India's only entry at the 75th Cannes Film Festival, Shaunak Sen’s documentary All That Breathes, has won the 2022 L’Oeil d’Or, the event's top honour for documentaries. All That Breathes revolves around the lives of brothers Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, who rescue and deal with injured birds, particularly the black kites. Recently, the film was screened at Cannes.

The jury on the L'Oeil d'Or's official website said in a note, "L'Oeil d'Or goes to a film that, in a world of destruction, reminds us that every life matters, and every small action matters. You can grab your camera, you can save a bird, you can hunt for some moments of stealing beauty, it matters. It’s an inspirational journey in observation of three Don Quijotes who may not save the whole world but do save their world,". The winner's award includes a cash prize of 5,000 euros ( around Rs 4.16 lakh).

The documentary has been one of India’s most successful exports this year. After winning the World Documentary Grand Jury Prize at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, it has now won L’Oeil d’Or at Cannes 2022.

The jury that selected All That Breathes included Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland, Ukrainian writer-director Iryna Tsilyk, French actor Pierre Deladonchamps, journalist Alex Vicente, and Moroccan writer-filmmaker Hicham Falah.

Recently, All That Breathes' rights were acquired by HBO. After the film's release in the US later this year, the documentary will air on HBO and its streaming service HBO Max in 2023. The 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which began on May 17, concludes on Saturday, May 28.