Beyond the Clouds (2017 film)

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Beyond The Clouds
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMajid Majidi
Screenplay by
Story byMajid Majidi
Produced by
  • Shareen Mantri Kedia
  • Kishor Arora
Starring
CinematographyAnil Mehta
Edited byHassan Hassandoost
Music byA. R. Rahman
Production
company
  • Namah Pictures
Distributed byZee Studios
Release dates
  • 20 November 2017 (2017-11-20) (IFFI)
  • 20 April 2018 (2018-4-20) (India)
Running time
120 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Beyond the Clouds is a 2017 Indian

Gautam Ghose). The film story is centred around the bonding between the siblings, a take on human relationships in general. The sibling's bond is tested when Tara lands in jail for a crime Amir committed, which forms the film's crux. The film is a grown-up version of Majidi's previously directed Children of Heaven
(1997).

The casting for the project began in August 2016, with principal photography commencing from January 2017 in Mumbai, continued in Sambhar near Jaipur, and concluded in Mumbai on 6 May 2017. Before theatrical release, the film premiered at International Film Festivals between October 2017 and February 2018. It was screened at International Film Festival of India on 20 November 2017. Beyond the Clouds is the second collaboration between Majid Majidi and film score composer A. R. Rahman, after Muhammad: The Messenger of God (2015).

The film was released in India on 20 April 2018 to generally positive reviews. It was praised for the performances of the lead characters and cinematography but criticized for the direction, film score, and predictable storyline.

Plot

The film begins with Aamir (Ishaan Khatter), a young man who lives under a road bridge where numerous impoverished families live, grabbing a bike and carrying out a series of drug deliveries all over the city.

A police bust interrupts Aamir, who is chased into the laundry workplace of Aamir's sister Taara (Malavika Mohanan). With the help of an older male colleague Akshi (Goutam Ghose), Taara conceals her brother and his stash of drugs. But in Akshi's mind, his help means that Taara is now somehow beholden to him. He assaults her, but Taara defends herself by hitting his head with a rock.

Taara finds herself facing life in prison unless Akshi recovers and can be persuaded to admit his role in the incident. But although he regains consciousness, Akshi is unable to talk. Both Taara and Aamir find hope in their desperate situation through connections with other children. Taara befriends Chotu, the child of an ailing prisoner, while Aamir initially considers selling Akshi's eldest daughter to a local brothel. But Aamir grudgingly warms to Akshi's mother and two daughters.

Cast

Production

Development

Malavika Mohanan, one of the film's leads

In August 2016, director Majid Majidi landed in Mumbai for a reconnaissance. He met the casting director Honey Trehan, who stated that the film will be an Indian story to be shot in Mumbai, Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Kashmir.[4] Trehan was told to scout at least eight to ten of the principal characters drawn from across the country.[4] A. R. Rahman's inclusion in the project was confirmed.[4] In an interview with The Hindu, Majidi stated, "It is the story of a brother and sister, just like that of Children of Heaven (1997), with the difference being that the siblings are grown-ups and tackle greater conflicts, with the bustling city of Mumbai serving as the backdrop."[5]

In November 2016, photographs of actress Deepika Padukone were published through Deccan Chronicle[6] where she was seen participating in a day long shoot for Majid Majidi's next untitled project that reported by the media by the titles Floating Gardens and Kashmir Afloat.[7]

A conference held in Mumbai on 23 January 2017, the film was officially titled "Beyond the Clouds". Majidi stated the film will be in Hindi language. Ishaan Khatter was confirmed to play the male lead.[8] On the departure of Padukone from the project, Majidi reasoned that Padukone wasn't fitting for this film and his team decided not to opt for a mixture of experienced and new faces but either of the two (experienced or new faces), thus, settling for an all-new star cast.[9] Kangana Ranaut rejected the offered role citing it as submissive.[10] Majidi stated: "Beyond the Clouds could have been set anywhere in the world, but it also needed to be located in India. India gave me the proper feeling I had envisaged for the story." Malavika Mohanan was signed to play the role of the female lead in March 2017.[11] Khatter and Mohanan share were reported to play the roles of siblings in the film.[12] Mohanan plays the character Tara, a poor girl from a dhobi ghat.[13]

Filming

Principal photography commenced without a lead female on 23 January 2017.

Filmistan Studio in Mumbai. Ninety percent of the film was shot on outdoor locations.[17] The filming was completed on 6 May 2017.[19][20]

Talking about the filming, Majidi said: "Filmmakers like Satyajit Ray, whose work I adore, have represented India's culture, rich heritage and the lives of common people to a global audience. These visions and images have stayed in my mind for years and cajoled me to make a film in India. Finally, I'm in Mumbai with a lovely team to narrate a story woven around the lives of common people".[19]

Soundtrack

Main article: Beyond the Clouds (soundtrack)

The

LPs on 30 May 2018.[21]

Release

The first look poster of the film was released at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival.[12] The second poster was released in 2017 Cannes Film Festival.[22] The film premiered at the 2017 BFI London Film Festival.[23] It was screened at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival, 14th Dubai International Film Festival, 5th International Bosphorous Film Festival, 29th Palm Springs International Film Festival and was the opening film at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on 20 November 2017.[24]

The theatrical release of the film was planned in two phases. In the first phase, the film was released in 34 territories by Zee Studios International. The countries covered in phase one are Iran as well as over 70 screens in the GCC region including Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar. Towards the west, USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Maldives, Luxembourg, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, East West & South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan.[24]

The second phase of release includes the countries Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Taiwan, China, Japan, Korea and Russia.[24][25]

Beyond the Clouds was released in India on 20 April 2018.[26][27]

Reception

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 55% of 20 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6/10.[28]

International

Simon Abrams of

Screen Anarchy stated: "A stranger in a strange land, Majidi's film attempts to use the rhythms of Bollywood without fully committing to the form, leaving this film as a bit of a half-baked effort that, while certainly worth watching, is far from a masterpiece".[35] Anisha Jhaveri of IndieWire, graded the film B+ and noted: "Heartrending one minute and heavy-handed the next, "Beyond the Clouds" is in equal parts beautiful and frustrating."[36]

India

Film critic Komal Nahta reviewed: "Beyond The Clouds is a beautifully shot and beautifully made human drama with some sterling performances. But it has limited appeal at the box-office because of the way in which it has been treated. Its difficult English title and lack of recognisable faces will further restrict its commercial chances."[37]

Devesh Sharma of

Film Companion gave the film 3 stars out of 5, stated: "Beyond the Clouds is a mixed bag.  It is likely to be a footnote in Majidi's rich filmography. But the film is worth seeing as an intriguing experiment."[41] Critic Rajeev Masand who wrote for News 18, reviewed by assigning 3 stars out of 5, "Ultimately the film offers comfort in the familiar…for those that seek it. It's Majid Majidi-lite at best; a bittersweet, inoffensive drama that runs, but never flies".[42] NDTV's Saibal Chatterjee gave the film 2.5 stars out of 5, calling it "overheated and underwhelming".[43] Reviewing the film for Hindustan Times, critic Rohit Vats assigned 2.5 stars out of 5 and stated: "Despite excellent symbols and good performances in patches, Beyond The Clouds remains something we have seen before."[44] Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express reviewed that the film is good-looking yet hollow, assigning it 2 stars out of 5.[45] Namrata Joshi of The Hindu pointed: "The film just doesn't manage to throb with the authenticity of experience. It feels like an artificial world – virtuous but curiously inert."[46]

References

  1. ^ Lodge, Guy (13 October 2017). "Film Review: 'Beyond the Clouds'". Variety. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Beyond The Clouds' sandalwood connection". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  3. ^ IANS (1 March 2017). "Heeba Shah to star in Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Bhattacharya, Roshmila (18 August 2016). "Majid Majidi comes to Mumbai". Mumbai Mirror. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived
    from the original on 23 February 2025. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Exclusive: Majid Majidi rejects Deepika after look test for upcoming film". Deccan Chronicle. 23 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  7. ^ Express Web Desk (11 November 2016). "Why Deepika Padukone did a screen test for Majid Majidi, see pics". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  8. ^ Sahadevan, Sonup (23 January 2017). "Deepika Padukone not doing Majid Majidi's next, film to mark debut of Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  9. ^ Images Staff (26 January 2017). "Deepika isn't working with Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi after all". Images. Dawn. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  10. Daily News & Analysis
    . Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  11. ^ News Agencies (17 March 2017). "Majid Majidi seemed far too distant: Malavika Mohanan". Catch News. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. ^ a b IANS (14 March 2018). "Malayalam actor Malavika Mohanan to play leading lady in Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  13. ^ Prakashi, Asha (16 March 2017). "It didn't matter to Majid Majidi whether I was a star or a newbi: Malavika Mohan". The Times of India. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  14. ^ Lovana, Avinash. "Shahid Kapoor's brother Ishaan kicks off Majid Majidi's film today". Mumbai Mirror. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  15. ^ Shackleton, Liz. "Zee launches sales on Majid Majidi's first Indian film 'Beyond The Clouds'". Screen Daily. Screen International. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  16. ^ Sharadaa, A. (15 March 2017). "I am happy to work with geniuses: Malavika Mohanan". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
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    Penske Business Media. Archived
    from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  18. ^ IANS (25 April 2017). "Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi spotted shooting in Mumbai for Beyond The Clouds". Showsha. Firstpost. Archived from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  19. ^ a b Iyer, Sanyukta (6 May 2017). "Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi wraps up his shoot in Mumbai". Mumbai Mirror. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  20. ^ Bollywood Hungama News Network (6 May 2017). "Majid Majidi wraps up his film 'Beyond The Clouds'". Bollywood Hungama. Hungama Digital Media Entertainment. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  21. ^ A. R. Rahman (2 April 2018). "Beyond the Clouds (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. Apple Inc. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  22. ^ IANS (18 May 2017). "Cannes 2017: Second poster of Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds to be unveiled at film fest- Entertainment News". Showsha. Firstpost. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  23. ^ "LFF Official Competition spotlight: Beyond the Clouds". British Film Institute. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  24. ^ a b c "Zee Studios' 'Beyond the Clouds' to release in 34 territories". www.televisionpost.com. Archived from the original on 14 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  25. ^ "Ishaan Khatter's 'Beyond the Clouds' to be released in China on THIS date". Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  26. ^ Zee Studios (29 January 2018). "Beyond The Clouds | Official Trailer | Ishaan | Malavika | Releasing 20th April". Zee Studios. YouTube. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  27. ^ Subramanian, Anupama (8 June 2017). "Majid Majidi's Beyond The Clouds in Tamil". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  28. ^ "Beyond the Clouds". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 24 July 2022. Edit this at Wikidata
  29. ^ Abrams, Simon. "Beyond the Clouds Movie Review (2018) | Roger Ebert". www.rogerebert.com. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
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  32. ^ Young, Deborah (22 January 2018). "'Beyond the Clouds' ('Ansooy-e Abrha'): Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  33. ^ Ide, Wendy (13 October 2017). "'Beyond The Clouds': London Review". Screen Daily. Screen International. Archived from the original on 15 February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  34. ^ Kumar, Shyama Krishna (7 December 2017). "Diff 2017 review: 'Beyond the Clouds' unlocks Mumbai". Gulf News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
  35. ^ "Review: BEYOND THE CLOUDS Finds Human Compassion In Times Of Antagony". ScreenAnarchy. 22 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  36. ^ Jhaveri, Anisha (20 April 2018). "'Beyond the Clouds' Review: Iranian Auteur Majid Majidi Reaches for Familiar Themes in the Slums of Mumbai". IndieWire. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  37. ^ "BEYOND THE CLOUDS". Komal Nahta's Blog. 21 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Movie Review: Beyond The Clouds". filmfare.com. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  39. ^ "Beyond The Clouds Movie Review: Display Of Humane Emotions At Its Best!". Koimoi. 18 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  40. ^ "Beyond The Clouds Review {3.5/5}: As Right As Rain", The Times of India, retrieved 26 April 2018
  41. ^ "Beyond The Clouds Movie Review – Film Companion". Film Companion. 19 April 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2023. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  42. ^ "Beyond The Clouds Movie Review: A Bittersweet Drama That Runs But Never Flies". News18. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  43. ^ "Beyond The Clouds Movie Review: Ishaan Khatter, Malavika Mohanan Do The Heavy Lifting In Majid Majidi's Film". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  44. ^ Vats, Rohit (19 April 2018). "Beyond The Clouds movie review: Not Majid Majidi's best, Ishaan Khatter shines". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  45. ^ "Beyond The Clouds movie review: The Ishaan Khatter starrer is good-looking yet hollow". The Indian Express. 21 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  46. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived
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