Pebbles directed by P.S. Vinothraj is India’s official Oscar submission for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards. In the film starring Chellapandi, Karuththadaiyaan, an alcoholic father embarks on a journey, dragging his young son along to fetch back his wife who had left him after his constant abuse.
Pebbles won the Tiger Award at the 50th anniversary edition of International Film Festival Rotterdam and is nominated for Best International Feature Film at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
An alcoholic abusive father Ganapathy drags out his young son Velu from school and embarks on a journey to fetch back his wife who had left him after a night of abuse. On reaching the in-laws house, he learns that his wife has already left to return to their home. In his frustration, he gets involved in a brawl with his in-laws earning the further disapproval of his son. The young boy dispels his frustration by tearing up the bus fare into bits. This leaves the duo with no choice, but to walk back home in the scorching summer beaten rural landscapes where the unforgiving barren land and the punishing Sun force them to confront their emotions. Towards the end, the nurturing nature of women assuages the hunger and anger of men. This vicious cycle of love and hate is bound to repeat itself.
Watch the trailer for Pebbles.