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Time of India
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Deep Barot: The Rising Star of Independent Film Production in LA
Indian-origin production manager and filmmaker Deep Barot is quickly gaining recognition in independent film circles for his precise and emotionally resonant work, most recently with the short film Silent Cycle . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The 12-minute drama, directed by Smahi Anand, has quietly made waves on the international film festival circuit — from Beverly Hills to Ayodhya — earning praise for its restrained storytelling and psychological depth. But while audiences have connected with the film's meditation on loneliness and disconnection, much of its success is being credited to the man behind the scenes: Deep Barot. Barot, who is based in Los Angeles, has emerged as a key figure in cross-cultural indie productions, particularly for his ability to execute tightly-run, high-impact shoots on limited budgets. For Silent Cycle , he served as the production manager and producer, overseeing the film's five-day shoot in upstate New York with a lean crew and minimal resources. 'The story demanded more from stillness than it did from action,' said director Smahi Anand. 'And Deep was the one who made that stillness come alive on set.' Crew members have echoed that sentiment, describing Barot's meticulous planning as essential to the production's smooth execution. 'Every moment was scheduled to the second,' one team member noted. 'In minimalist cinema, even a small misstep can derail the tone. Deep ensured we never lost control.' The results have spoken for themselves. Silent Cycle has earned several accolades, including Best Original Screenplay at the Boston International Film Festival, Best Woman Director at the Ayodhya Film Festival, and the Audience Choice Award at the Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. It has also screened at the Beverly Hills, Chicago South Asian, Yellowstone, and Pasadena International Film Festivals, and is currently advancing in the selection process for the BAFTA Student Awards. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Beyond the awards, the emotional resonance of the film has struck a chord. At a screening in Chicago, an elderly couple reportedly approached the filmmakers to express how deeply the film had affected them. 'This was the first film in years that made me feel understood,' one of them said. Barot, who was seated at the back of the auditorium that evening, recalls the moment as a career-defining one. 'You don't always know if people will feel what you feel when you make something this small, this internal,' he said. 'But when they do — it stays with you.' Though Barot has previously worked on larger-scale productions — including music videos like VIBE (Guru Randhawa x French Montana) and Tell Me (Karan Aujla x OneRepublic ft. Disha Patani) — Silent Cycle marked a departure, demanding patience, sensitivity, and a willingness to step back from spectacle. 'This film asked us to breathe with the characters,' he said. 'Every shot had to carry the weight of the ones we didn't take.' Looking ahead, Barot has a packed slate, including an upcoming feature film and a high-profile music video with Diljit Dosanjh. Still, Silent Cycle holds a special place in his journey. 'It reminded me of why I got into this industry,' he said. 'Not for the noise. For the silences.' In an era dominated by visual effects and large-scale productions, Barot's work on Silent Cycle underscores a quiet truth in filmmaking: sometimes, less is more.
Daily Mirror
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Channel 4 quietly adds 'must-see' drama that leaves viewers 'thrilled'
The Shadow, a psychological thriller based on Melanie Raabe's novel of the same name, is now available to watch for free on Channel 4 after it was praised by viewers Channel 4 has made all six episodes of the gripping crime drama The Shadow available for free, much to the delight of UK viewers. The series, hailed as an unmissable addiction, is based on Melanie Raabe's 2021 novel and introduces us to journalist Norah, portrayed by Deleila Piasko, who seeks a fresh start in Vienna. A stranger's eerie prophecy that she will murder a man named Arthur Grimm within six weeks haunts her upon arrival. Despite initially dismissing the ominous prediction, Norah finds herself entangled in a web of memory gaps, anonymous threats, and mounting paranoia. She is tormented by questions about her sanity, her capacity for murder, and the reasons behind these events, reports the Express. Deleila leads a cast featuring Andreas Pietschmann, Luisa-Celine Gaffron, Vietha Luong, Julia Anna Grob, and Christoph Luser. The show's blurb tantalises with: "Journalist Norah hears a prophecy that she will kill a man, then unfathomable events begin to dog her steps. What is happening?" Following its premiere in Germany in 2023, the series was lauded for its "thrilling" psychological depth and quickly became a "must-see". Winning the Audience Choice Award at the German Seriencamp Festival in 2023, Channel 4's Walter Presents didn't hesitate to snap up the rights. One viewer was effusive in their praise, saying: "The story is gripping, thrilling, full of twists and turns, many facets, and surprises. Excellent entertainment, as tense as the daily heat in Vienna, which lasts for six weeks until August 13th, and creates a special atmosphere as the series culminates in its grand finale. You practically sweat along with it. The images and the camera capture the story excellently; you're an eyewitness yet still in the dark. Highly recommended!" Another chimed in with: "The story has many twists and turns, maintaining the suspense until the epic finale. I'm thrilled." "Wow! What a great psychological story for entertaining and exciting hours of TV. Mysterious moments and great actors make this series a must-see for all fans of the genre," enthused a third, while another added: "Super exciting! I couldn't tear myself away from the TV. The ending was completely unpredictable."
Metro
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
All six episodes of 'irresistibly creepy' crime drama available to stream now
Looking to escape the heat? Well, why not watch a new supernatural crime drama that's sure to send a chill down your spine? As of today (June 28), all six episodes of The Shadow are available to stream on Channel 4. This haunting crime drama follows a young journalist called Norah (Deleila Piasko) on assignment in Vienna. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, things take a sinister turn when a strange beggar warns Norah that she will kill a man sometime in the future. Not feeling particularly homicidal, the young writer ignores the warning, that is, until strange things start occurring. Can Norah avoid her murderous fate? Well, you'll have to watch to find out. First released in Germany back in 2023, the series is an adaptation of Melanie Raabe's internationally bestselling 2020 novel of the same name, which was branded 'irresistibly creepy' by Open Books. The TV series has similarly glowing reviews. In their 10/10 IMDb review one user described the show as 'a meticulously crafted psychological thriller, distinguished by its atmospheric storytelling and compelling performances.' Meanwhile, another user gave the series 9/10 and said The Shadow was a 'testament to the potential of television as a medium for nuanced, character-driven narratives.' High praise indeed! However, that's not the only accolade the show has earned; it won the Audience Choice Award at the German Seriencamp Festival in 2023, and Kino magazine gave it 4.5 stars. More Trending Meanwhile, DWDL's critic Timo Niemeier wrote in his review, 'the creators went to great lengths in the first five episodes to keep viewers guessing as long as possible about what actually happened, the story is resolved almost perfectly at the end.' If, however, The Shadows sounds a bit spooky for you, or if you like the heat, there are other streaming options available this weekend. Season 4 of The Bear has just dropped on Disney Plus. Season four has been called a return to form by critics, and it's currently sitting at a respectable 82% on Rotten Tomatoes. Our own valiant TV Editor Sabrina Barr reviewed The Bear season 4 for Metro, and in her three-and-a-half-star review, she wrote that while she enjoyed this fourth outing, she was 'left wanting more'. View More » The Shadow is streaming now on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Iraqi News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Iraqi News
Iraqi film The President's Cake wins Audience Award at Cannes Directors' Fortnight
Cannes, France ( – Iraqi film The President's Cake (كعكة الرئيس), directed by New York-based Iraqi filmmaker Hassan Hadi, has won the prestigious Audience Choice Award in the Directors' Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. This marks a significant achievement as Iraq's first official participation to gain such recognition at the renowned festival. Set in the mid-1990s during Saddam Hussein's rule and the era of sanctions, the film tells the poignant story of Lamia, a nine-year-old girl living in poverty with her grandmother in the southern Iraqi Marshes. She is compelled by her school to provide a cake for the dictator's birthday celebrations, highlighting the immense social and economic pressures faced by ordinary Iraqis. Filmed in the historic Marshes, 'The President's Cake' draws on Hadi's childhood memories. At Cannes, the director emphasized the resilience of the Marshes, stating The Marshes remained while Saddam is gone. The Iraqi-Qatari-US co-production has been celebrated for its powerful narrative, offering a window into one of Iraq's most challenging periods. This award signals a vibrant return for Iraqi cinema to the international stage.
Hans India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Hyderabad's Shreyas Ayaluri bags Audience Choice Award at UCLA Film Festival
Los Angeles-based screenwriter Shreyas Ayaluri, originally from Hyderabad, made waves at the prestigious UCLA Film Festival by clinching the Audience Choice Award for his absurdist short film The Serene Place. Formerly titled The Serene Place Where The Stars Poop, the film resonated strongly with festival-goers, who were captivated by its quirky humor and underlying social commentary. Written during the Writers' Strike, the short follows a film school graduate entangled in a surreal, Kafka-esque journey through the chaotic maze of the entertainment industry. As gatekeepers obstruct his path to success, the film cleverly blends comedy with critique, offering a unique take on ambition and disillusionment. The project was written by Ayaluri and directed by Shriya Rana. Ayaluri, known for his distinctive style that fuses magical realism with emotional depth, has penned over 30 award-winning scripts. His portfolio includes acclaimed features, pilots, and viral digital series, with several of his works amassing millions of views online. Some of his notable titles include A Mother's Battle, Eclipsed Innocence, and Cupid's Curse. Now a rising force in mainstream screenwriting, Ayaluri has multiple projects in the pipeline. His upcoming family horror feature, Casbah, is currently being packaged with producers on board and a director soon to be finalized. The recognition at UCLA cements Ayaluri's place as an emerging global storyteller, and marks a proud moment for Indian talent making an impact in international cinema.
