Freida Pinto returns to India with her next film Trishna, which releases in the U.S. on July 13. Co-starring Riz Ahmed, this powerful look at the tension between ancient privilege and modern equality comes from acclaimed filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, director of the Angelina Jolie-Irrfan Khan film A Mighty Heart. The film had its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival last year and now will premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York City ahead of its July release in theaters.
Trishna is based on Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the D’Ubervilles. Directed by master filmmaker Michael Winterbottom, from what we have heard Freida Pinto soars as Trishna in her most revealing performance yet. The story follows Trishna, who lives with her family in a village in Rajasthan. As the eldest daughter, she works in a nearby resort to help pay the bills. Jay (Riz Ahmed, FOUR LIONS) is the wealthy son of a property developer. When he takes up managing a resort at his father’s request, he meets Trishna at a dance and their fates cross. Jay finds every opportunity to win Trishna’s affection and she accepts his efforts with shy curiosity. But when the two move to Mumbai and become a couple, Jay’s deep family bond threatens the young lovers’ bliss. Shot with Winterbottom’s agile camera, Trishna is a powerful look at the tension between ancient privilege and modern equality, between codes of urban and rural life and ultimately a hymn to both the glory and the tragedy that comes with beauty in all forms.
Talking about the character Freida said in a recent interview, “Freida and Trishna are very, very different people, and that’s why the character was even more intriguing for me to take on, because it’s so opposite me.”
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