Bay Area Premier

Lyrical and poetic, this unique cinematic experience was one of the most celebrated Indian films on the international festival circuit last year. Set in Calcutta against a crumbling industrial landscape, Labor of Love delves into the lives of an ordinary couple whose competing work schedules keep them apart. Sengupta gracefully alternates between their daily routines, and observes their solitude with such intimacy that the simple act of preparing a meal becomes an act of love. While the film has no spoken dialogue, the resonant soundscape and retro-Bollywood score fill the silences with deep emotional textures. Sengupta’s arresting visuals and rhythmic editing build into to a beautiful, dreamlike crescendo. An ode to so many labors of love, including that of cinema, this film is a must-see for cinephiles. Winner, Best Debut Director, Venice Film Festival.