Folktales review – taking on tyranny of social media as teens learn to live like hunter-gatherers

In this documentary, high schoolers camp out in subzero temperatures, making their own fires and driving sledges in the wild The Pasvik Folk high school in remote northern Norway teaches teenagers to grow as young adults and escape the pressures of toxic social media by challenging them to get back in touch with their “stone age brain” and live like hunter-gatherers in the snowy wild. This is the subject of a documentary from Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady. Over winter months of almost continuous darkness, the teens cleanse themselves with tasks such as camping out in subzero weather, making their own fires and driving sledges with huskies. Prior to all this of course is presumably a solemn promise to do without their phones, tablets and laptops, although there are no scenes of the kids actually having to surrender these gadgets (this isn’t rehab, after all). They have to swim in icy water; and they make it look like fun. What doesn’t look like fun is the camping out and there is one t...

Huma Qureshi starrer Bayaan selected for TIFF 2025 Discovery section; becomes only Indian film in line-up

Bayaan, a police procedural thriller headlined by Huma Qureshi, has been officially selected for the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film will have its world premiere in TIFF’s Discovery section, making it the only Indian title featured in the category this year.

Written and directed by Bikas Ranjan Mishra of Chauranga fame, Bayaan is a co-production between Platoon One Films and Summit Studios, with additional producers Kunal Kumar and Anuj Gupta, and Switzerland-based Sadik Keshwani (Guidant Films) as co-producer. Huma Qureshi also serves as an executive producer.

The film was developed through Film Independent’s LA Residency, part of the Global Media Makers (GMM) program. During the residency, Mishra was mentored by Craig Mazin (Chernobyl, The Last of Us), and received guidance from writer Jeff Stockwell and story editor Ruth Atkinson.

Mishra said, “It is my attempt to bear witness to a society in transition — and to the quiet courage of those who choose to speak. I'm deeply honoured to present my second feature, Bayaan, at the Toronto International Film Festival in the Discovery section — a platform that has launched the journeys of many filmmakers I admire and cherish.”

Huma Qureshi, who has starred in a number of Indian and international productions, described Bayaan as a "timely and powerful story" exploring themes of power, faith, and systemic injustice. "Bayaan gave me the opportunity to play the kind of character I’ve long been drawn to—someone within the justice system, yet up against forces much larger than herself. It was an absolute joy to work with a team so passionate and fearless in telling a story that feels both vital and universal," she shared.

The film also stars Chandrachur Singh, Sachin Khedekar, Paritosh Sand, Avijit Dutt, Vibhore Mayank, Sampa Mandal, Swati Das, Aditi Kanchan Singh, and Perry Chhabra.

Shiladitya Bora, founder of Platoon One Films, stated, "We firmly believe this is a film with global appeal, and TIFF is the perfect launchpad to start its journey around the world. As a producer, I’m always looking for that one script that can be a breakout film for everyone involved—and with 'Bayaan', I knew we had something powerful. At Platoon One Films, our ethos is to champion newer voices and newer stories that provoke, connect, and challenge. This film truly embodies that spirit".

Bayaan features cinematography by Udit Khurana along with editing by National Award winner A. Sreekar Prasad, music by Ajay Jayanthi, and costumes by Shilpi Agarwal. The film is supported by the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund.

Also Read: Huma Qureshi and Saqib Saleem unveil first film Baby Do Die Do under their banner Saleem Siblings; teaser attached with Maalik



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