New Delhi: The 95th Academy Awards had three nominations from India, 'The Elephant Whisperers', RRR’s 'Naatu Naatu' and 'All That Breathes'. While 'Naatu Naatu' and 'The Elephant Whisperers' won an Oscar, 'All That Breathes' failed to win in the Documentary Feature category.
Guneet Monga, the producer of 'The Elephant Whisperers', took to Twitter to pen a note for 'All That Breathes' director Shaunak Sen. In a series of tweets, she wrote, “Dear Shaunak, it’s been such a pleasure learning from you! I love @allthatbreathes. In this last month, knowing you as a filmmaker has been an absolute honour. The world needs to see the brilliance of the cinema you create. #Oscar”
She continued, “Thank you for your contribution to Indian cinema and for reminding us of the beauty and importance of preserving our world. All That Breathes will always boast of both Oscar and BAFTA nominations, while it has already won global accolades by winning at the Cannes Film Festival, Cinema Eye Honors Awards, American Society of Cinematographers USA, and Asia Pacific Screen Award.”
“I would always put Shaunak Sen’s name as one of the most important filmmakers from India for the world to watch.”
“Yesterday's Oscars may have passed, but the impact of 'All That Breathes' and its visionary director will continue to inspire and touch hearts. #AllThatBreathes #Oscar,” she concluded.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shaunak Sen took to Instagram and said he has been flooded with messages of "encouragement/support"
Sen said his "brain is still to wrap around the fact that this is the end of this chapter" for the film, which was nominated in the Documentary Feature Film segment.
"So many chin-uppy messages of encouragement/support since yesterday. We were low for about an hour, but we're soon distracted into equanimity amidst the whirl of glittery people and things. Brain is still to wrap around the fact that this is the end of this chapter," the director wrote on Instagram alongside pictures with his team.
"All That Breathes" is a Delhi-set documentary that follows two siblings, Mohammad Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, who have devoted their lives to rescuing and treating injured birds, especially black kites.
The critically-acclaimed documentary previously won the 'World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary' at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and the Golden Eye award for the best documentary at the 2022 Cannes.
The film is yet to release in India and Sen said his next agenda is to figure out the distribution in the country.
"Next we'll be working hard to figure India distribution (HBO has ended it's deal in India with Hotstar it appears, and we're figuring out which platform it'll come out on now). For now, very very nice to share this bizarre, swollen day with the brothers, and so many members of our crew. Hugest congratulations to all the winning films from India!" he wrote.