Cactus Pears + Two Black Boys in Paradise
<div>Set in rural Maharashtra, <i>Cactus Pears</i> follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a Mumbai call-centre worker who returns to his ancestral village to observe the ten-day mourning ritual following his father’s death. While navigating the pressures of family expectations and marriage, he reconnects with Balya (Suraaj Suman), a childhood friend facing similar struggles. Over the course of the mourning period, their bond deepens into a tender and intimate relationship, creating a quiet exploration of grief, identity and queer love within a traditional rural community.</div><div><br></div><div>Rohan Kanawade's debut feature film premiered in the World Cinema Competition of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. As well as being the first Marathi-language film to premiere at the festival, it also took home the Grand Jury Prize. <i>Cactus Pears </i>- <i>Sabar Bonda</i> in Marathi - also closed the 2026 Sands Film Festival in St. Andrews.</div><div><br></div><div>The feature will be screened alongside short film: <b><i>Two Black Boys in Paradise</i></b> (dir. Baz Sells, UK, 2025, 9m)</div><div><br></div><div><div>Based on the poem by Dean Atta and narrated by Jordan Stephens, <i>Two Black Boys in Paradise</i> is a short stop-motion film exploring the intimate and emotional world of Edan (19) and Dula (18), two young Black men navigating the nuances of love and identity. The film takes viewers on a poetic journey that echoes the emotional highs and lows of coming into oneself and out to the world. Here, paradise is not just a place, but a state of being—fragile and threatened by internalised fear, shame, and societal expectations.</div><div><br></div><div>When intrusive thoughts invade, the boys are pulled from their tender refuge into a dank, British market, where external forces encroach upon their freedom and their sense of self. This tender film invites viewers to witness Edan and Dula’s moments of doubt, courage, and transformation. Through striking visuals and lyrical storytelling, Two Black Boys in Paradise explores queer love, self-discovery, and the beauty of unapologetically embracing one’s true identity. It is a celebration of</div><div>what it means to belong and accept - each other, and most importantly, oneself.</div></div>DramaPT2H3M152026-06-29Bhushaan Manoj
Suraaj Suman
Jayshri Jagtap
Rohan Kanawade
Rohan Kanawade
Neeraj Churi
Kaushik Ray
Mohamed Khaki
Hareesh Reddypalli
Cactus Pears + Two Black Boys in Paradise"Cactus Pears + Two Black Boys in Paradise"Showtimes
June 29, 6:00 pm
June 30, 8:35 pm
July 1, 3:30 pm
July 2, 6:00 pm
July 3, 5:45 pm
July 4, 8:35 pm
Loading...