Director: Murali Nair
Script: B. Narakkal
Cinematographer: M. Radhakrishnan
Editing:
Sound:
Music:
Cast: L. Raman, V. Njarakkal, S. Thayat, J. Mitva
Production: Preeya Nair
Distribution: Mondo Films
Year: 1999
35 mm, Colour, 61 min,
OV Hindwith French Subtitles
Caméra d'Or - Cannes 1999 - Un Certain Regard
Krishnan and his family, who have been seasonal labourers for generations, live in a small island community in Kerala. Driven by desperation because he is out of work, Krishnan steals a bunch of coconuts from his landlord. He is caught, imprisoned and suddenly finds himself accused of a murder which happened on the island several years ago. The people on the island are shocked.
It is election time and the politicians take up his cause to win votes. A new technology for killing people is introduced in the country: the "Electronic Chair". Developed with a loan from the World Bank and technological help from America, the Chair is seen as the epitome of a glorious death. The islanders and politicians join hands to demand that Krishnan be the first in the country to die by Electronic Chair.
This debut feature from a young director from Kerala, who never thought directing a movie, has won Caméra d’or at Cannes Film Festival din 1999.