R Balki Reviews A Fly On The Wall: The documentary A Fly on the Wall, directed by Nilesh Maniyar and Shonali Bose, has captured hearts and praises following its premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival, where it received a standing ovation that echoed the collective admiration for its powerful storytelling.
Celebrity guests in attendance for the screening including Shabana Azmi, Fatima Sana Sheikh, Aparna Purohit, Sayami Kher, Swanand Kirkire, Gauri Shinde, Sayani Gupta, Soni Razdan, Mushtaq Sheikh, and R Balki, amplifying the excitement surrounding the film’s reception. At the Busan Jury press conference, acclaimed filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf praised the documentary, setting off a wave of enthusiastic responses from industry luminaries calling the film “poetic, philosophical, and deep”. Noted filmmakers, R Balki and Gauri Shinde took to social media to express their admiration for Bose and Maniyar’s latest work.
Filmmaker, Gauri Shinde’s moved by Maniyar and Bose’s powerful and personal documentary, took to Facebook and put a post that captured the documentary film’s emotional depth. She posted on the platform saying “As I watched A Fly on the Wall… I died!… What an incredible ode to death! No one has made dying look so beautiful, hopeful even. I cried. I laughed… I want to shout from the rooftops about this truly special piece of storytelling.”
Similarly, noted filmmaker R Balki shared his thoughts on social media making his debut on the platform, stating, “Finally I saw a star even bigger than Amitabh Bachchan! Thanks to Nilesh and Shonali. You just have to see A Fly on the Wall… I really experienced divinity in a theatre for the first time in my life. Nilesh Maniyar, Shonali Bose, and their editor Tushar have redefined movies…”
Garnering appreciation from all quarters, following the standing ovation, Mushtaq Sheikh, writer and producer, complemented the film by saying, “A Fly on the Wall artfully buzzes through the darkest corners of life and death, weaving a narrative that takes you to your grave and back… This is one cinematic experience you can’t afford to miss-silent, unnerving, and hauntingly unforgettable.”
As the filmmakers now prepare for a screening at the Dharamshala International Film Festival, A Fly on the Wall continues to gather momentum, proving to be a cinematic gem that resonates deeply with audiences.
In a joint statement, Maniyar and Nilesh reflected on the film’s impact: “It is so heartening to see our peers from the industry appreciate our work and In the days following our screenings at MAMI, we were deeply moved by the many young individuals who approached us to share how profoundly the film impacted them. They described it as a transformative experience that helped them come to terms with the losses they had encountered. Many expressed that they left the auditorium feeling a newfound peace and calm regarding a subject that had once filled them with fear. ”
This documentary is not just being watched-it’s being celebrated and cherished, marking a significant milestone in contemporary filmmaking.
