“The film ‘Horn and Ivory’ has been selected for screening on the 16th of December 2023, in the category of Indian Panorama at the 21st Chennai International Film Festival. Says first-time producer Latha Warrier, “We are very grateful to the jury and are delighted at the selection. We are also proud to be sharing the same platform with other eminent filmmakers like Vivek Agnihotri’s ‘The Vaccine War’ among others.”
The film ‘Horn and Ivory’ is a psychological crime thriller, a ninety-three-minute feature that revolves around the story of an aspiring and struggling young actress determined to realize her dreams. The conflict arises when she can no longer distinguish between what she wants and what she thinks she wants out of her career in Tinseltown. Thus, the film’s name Horn and Ivory, derived from the Gates of Horn and Ivory, representing the gates of true dreams and false dreams.
‘Horn and Ivory’ was conceived by the writer and director of the film, Dr. Vineet Yadav, during a hike on the Lonavala-Rajmachi forest trail with friends. What started as an idea for a short film grew into a full-length feature film. The film underwent changes, including its name from the working title “My Rainbow, My Colors” to “Horn and Ivory.” The story initially featured an Indian protagonist, but fate brought the talented young Russian actress Daria Gavrushenko into the team. Daria fell in love with the story and her character, Myra, the central figure in the plot. Despite having a shoestring budget, the film used Red Helium 8K cameras, resulting in world-class cinematography. The idyllic location shots, including an island and vast forests, make the film a visual feast.
The producer, Latha Warrier, highlights the serendipitous nature of the film’s production. Chance conversations led her to Moscow-based Julia, another brilliant actress who helped organize shooting overseas, and contacts within the forest department who facilitated filming the movie’s climax. This allowed the team to focus on making a good film without being burdened by logistical concerns. The film’s selection for the Chennai International Film Festival adds to its recognition and showcases its journey from concept to festival acclaim.
