As Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa-starrer Homebound moves closer to the Oscars, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese has said he was “deeply moved” by the story, which has earned a spot among the 15 films shortlisted for the International Feature Film category.
The Academy announced on X that “fifteen films advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category.”
India’s Homebound is competing alongside Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirât, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.
“Oscar nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22,” the post said.
As the Neeraj Ghaywan-directed film advances towards the Oscars, Scorsese took to Instagram to share a video of his conversation about the movie with the National Award-winning filmmaker.
In the caption, Scorsese wrote: “I’m very happy to be associated as an executive producer on Homebound (@homeboundthefilm), shortlisted in the Best International Feature category at this year’s Academy Awards. I was deeply moved by this true story of two young men whose friendship and search for dignity speak to the need for empathy and human connection in a divided world.”
In the video, Scorsese recalled reading the script for Homebound.
“I remember working on the script with you. In a way, I’ve been living with it for about three years. So for me, it’s very satisfying that it’s here. I’d love audiences in America to see this picture because it’s based on a real story, and what was interesting to me was that I didn’t know this story,” he said.
He added: “Beyond the tragedy — and aside from all of us suffering through COVID — you deal with the joy of these two characters, the joy of these two young men, and the joy of life. I’m impressed by how you related to the story and your approach to telling it, not as a ponderous lecture, but through humanity.”
“You approach it from the humanity of these two kids and their families,” Scorsese said.
Ghaywan said that while approaching the film, he realised the need to avoid “sloganeering, political grandstanding, sermons and statements.”
“I felt the vehicle of friendship is so potent that using it becomes an act of resistance. Connection is a form of resistance. There is a lot of hate around us. We label people and pigeonhole them — how they look, where they come from, what they eat or whom they pray to. That hate has gone too far,” the director said in the clip.
He added: “It’s time we sit across from our adversary and empathise with them. We may ideologically disagree or have different worldviews, but we cannot forget the humanity that exists between us. That was the intent of this film.”
Ghaywan later commented on Scorsese’s post, writing: “Sir, I will forever be grateful for your kindness and unswerving generosity. Your insights during the writing and editing have been invaluable and have shaped the film in ways that resonate with audiences across the world.”
Actor Ishaan Khatter also expressed his gratitude.
“As a young actor from anywhere in the world, to receive a nod of approval from your masterful gaze is a blessing to cherish for a lifetime. Thank you for your grace, sir. Your presence and contribution to our film are priceless. Only love and respect,” he wrote.
Homebound tells the story of Shoaib and Chandan, childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of becoming police officers in the hope that the job will bring them the respect they have long been denied. However, as they draw closer to their goal, mounting pressure and personal struggles begin to strain their friendship.
— IANS
