Strand Releasing Acquires Sundance Winner ‘Cactus Pears’ for North American Distribution
A poignant Indian gay drama set to captivate U.S.audiences this fall.
Published: 2025-04-03
A sundance Sensation finds a Home in North America
Strand Releasing, a distributor known for it’s dedication to art house adn queer cinema, has secured the North American rights to Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s film, “Cactus Pears.” The film, which garnered the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, is poised to make waves in the U.S. market.
The film’s historic Sundance premiere marks a significant moment for Marathi cinema.It’s not just the first Marathi language film to debut at the prestigious festival, but also the first Indian fiction film to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film. this recognition underscores the film’s powerful storytelling and universal themes.
Storyline: Love, Family, and identity in Rural India
“Cactus Pears” delves into the life of Anand (Bhushaan manoj), a young man from the city who returns to his ancestral home in the Indian countryside after his father’s death.Forced to confront his family about his unmarried status, Anand finds unexpected solace in a relationship with a farmer, Suraaj Suman, who understands his predicament.
This narrative resonates with many in the U.S., where conversations around LGBTQ+ rights and family expectations continue to evolve. The film offers a glimpse into a different cultural context while exploring universal themes of love, acceptance, and self-discovery.
Strand Releasing’s Vision for “Cactus Pears”
Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “We’re thrilled and proud to have ‘Cactus Pears,’ it’s a film with universal appeal, one that we thing will resonate here with audiences in North America.” This statement reflects the company’s confidence in the film’s ability to connect with viewers across cultural boundaries.
The deal between Strand Releasing and Neeraj Churi of Lotus Visual Productions signals a strategic move to bring self-reliant films with strong narratives to a wider audience. Strand plans to actively showcase the film at various festivals before its theatrical release in the fall of 2025. Film festival appearances, including the San Francisco festival and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria festival, are planned. This approach is common for independent films aiming to build buzz and garner critical acclaim ahead of their wider release.
The Producers’ Viewpoint: A Story That Transcends Borders
The producers of “Cactus Pears” lauded Strand releasing, acknowledging “their distinguished history of distributing Oscar-nominated films and official submissions for the best International Feature Film category,” adding that it “underscores their commitment to remarkable cinema.”
In a joint statement, the producers shared their vision: “This story began in a quiet corner of India, and it’s moving to know it will now reach audiences around the world, in cinemas where it belongs.” This sentiment speaks to the power of film to bridge cultural divides and foster empathy.
Global Appeal: International Sales and critical Acclaim
Paris-based MPM Premium has successfully sold “Cactus Pears” in key international territories, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland (Salzgeber), and Spain (Filmin). This widespread interest underscores the film’s universal themes and its potential to resonate with audiences worldwide.
Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, the director, expressed his excitement: “The feeling of knowing that a film so personal and special to us will be experienced by audiences worldwide is beyond words.” He added, “When my producers and I set out to make this film, we had no idea what the future held for us, but we were hopeful.” This candid statement highlights the passion and dedication behind the project.
Kanawade also acknowledged Strand Releasing’s legacy in queer cinema: “Strand Releasing has long been a champion of art house and queer cinema, bringing the works of filmmakers I deeply admire—like Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Céline Sciamma—to audiences. Having them come on board to distribute ‘Sabar Bonda’ (‘Cactus Pears’) in North America is one of the best things to happen after the Sundance win.”
MPM Premium’s Commitment to Queer Cinema
MPM Premium, founded by Marie-Pierre Macia and Jean-Charles Mille, has a strong track record of supporting queer cinema. Their previous projects include Kenyan drama Wanuri Kahiu’s “Rafiki” and the Portuguese choral film “Wolf and Dog” by Cláudia Varejão. The company is currently in negotiations to close deals for “Cactus Pears” in France, the U.K.,and Scandinavia.
According to Worthington, MPM Premium’s head of sales, “‘All We Imagine As Light’ and ‘Santosh’ have created a momentum for Indian independent cinema that has the interest from international buyers, but it’s truly because ‘Cactus Pears’ is a touching and hopeful great modern love story that international audiences will respond to it.”
Production Details and Collaborative Efforts
“Cactus Pears” is an India, UK, Canada co-production. The producers include Neeraj Churi, Mohamed Khaki, Kaushik Ray, Naren Chandavarkar and Sidharth Meer; with Jim Sarbh as co-producer and Ilann Gigard as Executive producer. This international collaboration highlights the global nature of independent filmmaking.
Strand Releasing’s Current Slate
Strand Releasing’s current films in release include Christophe honore’s “Marcello Mio,” Rithy Panh’s “Meeting With Pol Pot,” and trương Minh Quý’s “Viet And Nam,” among others. this diverse selection reflects the company’s commitment to showcasing unique and thought-provoking films from around the world.
The Future of Independent Film Distribution
The acquisition and distribution of “Cactus Pears” highlight several key trends in the independent film industry. As major studios increasingly focus on blockbuster franchises, independent distributors like Strand Releasing play a crucial role in bringing diverse voices and stories to audiences.
The success of “Cactus Pears” could also pave the way for more international collaborations and increased visibility for Marathi cinema on the global stage.The film’s themes of identity, family, and love are resonant across cultures, and its distribution in North America offers an chance to connect with a wider audience.
However, independent films face numerous challenges, including limited marketing budgets and competition from mainstream releases. Strand Releasing’s strategy of building buzz through film festivals and targeted marketing campaigns will be crucial in ensuring the film’s success.
How has acquiring ‘Cactus Pears’ impacted Strand Releasing’s strategy, specifically regarding marketing and distribution moving forward?
Q&A: Strand Releasing on Acquiring Sundance Winner ‘Cactus Pears’
Archyde: welcome, Marcus Hu, to Archyde.Thanks for joining us to discuss Strand Releasing’s acquisition of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner,”Cactus Pears.” This is a significant moment, not just for your company, but for Marathi cinema. Can you tell us what specifically drew Strand Releasing to this particular film?
Marcus Hu (Strand Releasing): Thank you for having me. We were promptly captivated by “Cactus Pears.” The film’s storytelling is incredibly moving, and the themes of love, family, and self-discovery are universally relatable. Furthermore, Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s direction is masterful; it’s an artful film that we know will resonate with North American audiences, a film that we’re incredibly proud to distribute.
Archyde: The film explores the life of Anand, a young man navigating his identity in rural India. How do you see this story resonating with a North American audience, even with the cultural differences?
Marcus Hu: While the setting is India, the core human experiences are universal. The struggles with family expectations, the search for love and acceptance… these are issues everyone can understand. “Cactus Pears” offers a window into a different culture while exploring these themes in a very intimate and personal way. And it has a great deal of hope for queer audiences, creating more visibility.
Archyde: Strand Releasing has a strong reputation for distributing art house and queer cinema. How does “Cactus Pears” align with your company’s overall mission and vision?
Marcus Hu: It aligns perfectly! We’ve always aimed to bring diverse and thought-provoking stories to light. “Cactus pears” is a beautiful example of independent cinema, and queer cinema at its finest.It’s a film that not only tells a compelling story but also champions representation, inclusivity and diversity. It’s a crucial film for us to represent.
Archyde: Can you tell us more about Strand’s strategy for the release? Will it hit film festivals first?
Marcus Hu: Absolutely. we’re planning a strategic festival rollout, starting with some key events like the San Francisco festival and others, to build buzz and critical acclaim. Theatrical release is the target for the fall of 2025, after the film has generated enough attention to engage audiences.
Archyde: MPM Premium has already secured international sales. How does that partnership with Strand Releasing influence the film’s overall global distribution potential?
Marcus Hu: MPM Premium’s international sales success is incredibly encouraging. It underlines the film’s global appeal and the universal power of its story.Because many international markets have already picked up the film, we predict that “Cactus Pears” will gain lots of exposure across the world.
Archyde: Considering the rise of franchise films, what role do independent distributors like Strand Releasing play in today’s film landscape?
Marcus Hu: We play a crucial role. While the mainstream studios focus on blockbusters, we spotlight unique voices and diverse stories. We help create a platform that allows for independent films such as “Cactus Pears” to reach audiences. We are a crucial component of a more diverse and rich landscape of filmmaking.”
Archyde: “Cactus Pears” has the potential to have a big impact.Do you think it’ll increase visibility for Marathi cinema on the world stage? And what are you hoping audiences take away after they watch your film?
Marcus Hu: It’s a powerful moment for Marathi cinema, yes. We hope its success will pave the way for other Indian films to reach international audiences. Ultimately, we want audiences to be moved by the humanity of the characters and the beauty of the story. And we want it to encourage empathy, understanding, and conversations about love, family, and identity.
Archyde: Thank you for your time and for providing this inside look at the release of “Cactus Pears.” What will audiences need to do in order to watch the film, once it’s available?
Marcus Hu: Thank you for having me. Audiences shoudl look out for announcements and details on our website and social media channels. We’ll be sure to make it available as soon as we can. Please be sure to follow us and the film to stay updated!
Archyde: And what do you think have been the moast impactful queer cinema films of the past few years and how has this shaped your vision for this film?
Marcus Hu: I was a massive fan of ”Portrait of a Lady on Fire” by Céline Sciamma. The vision for this film is to create a space for others to create similar masterpieces through storytelling and visibility, the same way that portrait of a lady on fire has accomplished.
Archyde: Thank you again,Marcus.It’s been a pleasure.
