For ECHOES OF VISION: CONVERSATION WITH SIMON BROOK ON PETER BROOK’S THE MAHABHARATA go to: https://iffsatoronto.com/2025-pro-events/
SYNOPSIS
The legendary Peter Brook’s The Mahabharata is a landmark cinematic adaptation of the great Indian epic, distilling its vast scale and intricate layers into an ambitious three-hour feature that brings universal themes of duty, destiny, and moral conflict to vivid life. Filmed in a Paris studio with an international ensemble performing in English, Brook’s interpretation traces the rivalry between two branches of a royal family—the Pandavas and the Kauravas—whose struggle for power erupts into a cataclysmic war threatening the very order of the universe.
At its core, this is more than a tale of conquest: it is a profound moral and spiritual quest, where warriors, kings, and sages must confront timeless questions of justice, honour, loyalty, and sacrifice. Guided by the divine presence of Lord Krishna, the characters move through a world where every human choice resonates with cosmic consequence.
Celebrated for its audacious vision, cross-cultural cast, and sweeping storytelling, The Mahabharata stands as a groundbreaking achievement in world cinema. Its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, where it received a 20-minute standing ovation, cemented its place as both a daring artistic triumph and a milestone in cinematic history.