Kaaka Muttai

Kaaka Muttai, directed by M. Manikandan, is a Tamil film about two brothers living in a Chennai slum, their father in prison, who set their hearts on tasting a slice of pizza from a new pizzeria that has opened in their neighborhood. Their nickname comes from eating crow eggs stolen from nests. Lead actors J. Vignesh and Ramesh Thilaganathan were themselves living in a fishing slum in Chennai's Kasimedu area at the time; the director spotted them playing on the beach and cast them after reaching out to their families. According to the director, the idea for the film came from his own son's desire to eat pizza. The film won Best Children's Film and a joint Best Child Artist award for its two young leads at the 62nd National Film Awards, and had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Who it's for: anyone curious about a Tamil film starring two child actors who were themselves living in a slum, using a simple craving for a slice of pizza to explore class inequality. Who it's not for: those wanting a heavy, bleak drama, since despite its undercurrent of sadness the film's overall tone stays warm and accessible.