Tiger’s Pond

Directed by Natesh Hegde
India
2025
87 mins

Synopsis

A crooked political campaign and a cross-caste romance fracture a superstitious village in southern India in this haunting, brutal crime thriller, shot on textural 16mm.

Like his directorial debut, Pedro, Natesh Hegde’s searing sophomore feature – the first Kannada film selected for the Berlinale – is set in the cloistered, deeply hierarchical village he grew up in. Prabhu, a small-fry businessman of questionable morals, is attempting to muscle his way into local politics with the assistance of right-hand man and enforcer Malabari. Prabhu’s dubious campaign is threatened firstly by the appearance of an idealistic but savvy rival, a working-class outcast, and then by an assault on his maid, Pathi, who is mute and possibly developmentally disabled. It is on her body that the cruel but hypnotic drama of this film is inscribed. Special Jury Mention, “Spirit of Fire” film festival.

Limited seats are available for patrons requiring access for wheelchairs, low vision and hearing loop. Please contact our ticketing team directly on 1300 733 733 or tickets@sff.org.au to complete your booking.

A restrained Indian political drama set on the edge of spirituality.
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety

Special Guests

Natesh Hegde
Director, Screenwriter

Natesh Hegde was born and brought up in Yellapura in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. He completed a master’s in journalism at the Karnataka University Dharwad. Pedro (2021), his debut feature film had its world premiere in the Busan New Currents Competition in 2021 and went on to win the Roberto Rossellini award for Best Director at the 5th Pingyao International Film Festival. His Sophomore film Tiger's Pond had its World premiere at Berlinale 2025 Forum section.

Tickets

Sat 7 June 2025, 8:15pm
Event Cinemas George Street - Cinema 3
WheelchairSubtitledAssisted Listening
Sun 8 June 2025, 5pm
Palace Central Cinemas - Cinema 1
WheelchairSubtitledAssisted Listening
  • Program Strand
  • Original Title
    VAGHACHIPANI
  • Year
    2025
  • Classification
    Unclassified 15+
  • Country
    India, Singapore
  • Language
    In Kannada and Malayalam with English subtitles
  • Director
    Natesh Hegde
  • Producer
    Anurag Kashyap, Ranjan Singh, Natesh Hegde
  • Cast
    Dileesh Pothan, Achyut Kumar, Natesh
  • Screenwriter
    Natesh Hegde
  • Cinematographer
    Vikas Urs
  • Editor
    Natesh Hegde, Paresh Kamdar
  • Genre
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    World Sales: Loco Films
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