Prashant Pethe is the happiest man today. His Marathi film ‘Gabhricha Paus’ (The Damned Rain) or Maudite Pluie! in French, has been selected in Cannes Cinnephilles, a part of the Festival De Cannes 2011. With this news, Marathi cinema has also received a recognition from France.

Cannes Cinephiles (Cannes film Enthusiasts) is an event organised by Cannes Cinema and the Festival de Cannes to provide public screenings from the Official Selection, as well as films from the parallel sections.

Gabhricha Paus is selected as a part of Cannes Cinephiles, Screens Junior section, in which 8-10 movies are selected in competition for a young audience, because they develop themes or depict worlds that may constitute for these young people some thought. The jury, composed of a class ‘cinema’ College Gerard Philipe de Cannes, will determine the outcome of the event, a work they wish to study in class. There will be 2 or 3 public screenings of ‘Gabhricha Paus’ in this section. Other movies in this section are from all over the world including movies from France, Italy and Israel. ‘Gabhricha Paus’ will be presented with French subtitles.

Other than the documentary about Indian films by Shekhar Kapur, this is the only Indian film with a presence in Cannes this year.