And The Oscar Goes To… 2019

Issak Ebrahem is a passionate young man with dreams of becoming a film director. He sets out on a challenging journey to bring his vision to life by creating a movie inspired by the life of his native Moidukka. To fund the project, Issak mortgages the land he inherited, risking his property to gather the necessary resources. He then forms a team by convincing actor Aravindan and cinematographer Sivakumar that his story deserves to be brought to the screen, and they agree to collaborate on his debut film.

Despite facing financial difficulties during the filming process, Issak perseveres and successfully completes his debut movie, titled Sky of Fireflies. With the help of Sivakumar, he submits the film for a national award, doing so on the very last day of the deadline. The film garners critical acclaim, resulting in Aravindan winning the Best Actor award and Sky of Fireflies being honored as the Best Picture at the National Awards. The recognition extends further as the film is selected by India to compete for the prestigious Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Following this international acknowledgment, a foreign marketing company sends a representative named Maria, [Nikki Rae Hallow], to view Issak’s film. During a screening, Prince, a close friend of Issak who had gone abroad, is introduced to the film. Although some screenings are successful, issues arise when Maria becomes upset over not being paid immediately for her services, leading to a dispute with Issak and Prince over food and financial matters. The incident deeply pains Prince, highlighting the emotional toll of the filmmaking journey.

As the story unfolds, Issak learns that his film did not make it onto the final Oscar shortlist. Disappointed but undeterred, he prepares to leave for home. Before departing, Issak completes a new film titled The Oscar Goes To, drawing from his personal experiences during this tumultuous process. This last piece acts as a reflection on his journey, encapsulating his hopes, setbacks, and dreams.

Upon returning home, Issak visits Moidukka, where he reunites with his son Harshad at Moidukka’s house. The film concludes with the revelation that Harshad, who had been abroad, was not fully healed as initially believed. Moidukka confesses this, and Issak offers a heartfelt apology for the struggles and misunderstandings endured throughout his journey. The story ends on a poignant note, emphasizing themes of hope, reconciliation, and the bittersweet nature of dreams fulfilled and unfulfilled.