Malyalam Film ‘Ee. Ma. Yau’ Bags Prestigious Critics Award
In what could be a favorable move for cinema of Malayalam, Ee. Ma. Yau, a morbid satire by auteur filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery has garnered over half the votes polled by 23 film critics from all over India to bag the prestigious FCCI “Best Indian Film of 2018” Citation Award.
In earlier years, this citation instituted by the Film Critics Circle of India to encourage the production of cinema of high artistic & aesthetic value had been awarded to Village Rockstars (Assamese), Thithi (Kannada) & Court (Marathi / Gujarati / Hindi / English); in 2018, 2017 & 2016, respectively.
In this year’s nomination list, Rahi Anil Barve’s Tumbbad (Hindi), Aditya Vikram Sengupta’s Jonaki (Bengali / English) & Rima Das’ Bulbul Can Sing (Assamese) were the 3 other films that found a place. Also recommended were Andhadhun, Ashwatthama, Badhaai Ho, Bhayanakam, Ek Je Chhilo Raja, Ghode Ko Jalebi Khilane Le Ja Riya Hoon, Love Sonia, Maassab, Manto, Mulk, Olu, Pariyerum Perumal, Poomaram, Raazi, Soni, Sudani from Nigeria, Vada Chennai & Uronchandi; in the preliminary round.
Pellissery’s Ee Ma Yau had earlier bagged major awards at the Kerala State Film Awards & at IFFI & IFFK. He made his debut as a filmmaker with the critically acclaimed Nayakan in the year 2010 & followed it up with City of God in the year 2011, Amen in the year 2013, Double Barrel in the year 2015 & Angamaly Diaries in the year 2017.
