Christo Tomy Explained

Christo Tomy
Birth Date:1987 9, df=yes
Birth Place:Kochi, Kerala, India
Years Active:2013-present
Alma Mater:Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute
Sainik School Kazhakootam
Website:https://www.christotomy.com/

Christo Tomy is an Indian filmmaker known for his impactful work in both short films and feature films. He is a two-time National Film Award winning director.[1] [2] In 2016, he won the Swarna Kamal for Best Director (non-feature film) for his short film Kamuki (Sweetheart). He also won the National Award for Debut Director in the non-feature category for his short film Kanyaka (Virgin).[3]

Early life and education

Christo Tomy is an alumnus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata and Sainik School Kazhakootam, Kerala.[4] [5] [6]

Career and achievements

National Film Awards

Christo Tomy gained national recognition with his short films, which have won him two National Film Awards. In 2016, he won the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) for Best Director for his short film Kamuki (Sweetheart). His debut short film Kanyaka (Virgin) earned him the National Award for Best Debut Director in the non-feature category, receiving the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus). Kanyaka was also screened at the 44th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Jury member

In recognition of his expertise and contributions to Indian cinema, he served as a member of the jury for the non-feature films at the 65th National Film Awards.[7]

Notable works

Short films and documentaries

Christo Tomy's first notable short film was Kanyaka (2013), which earned him a National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director.[8] He directed Odvojen in 2014. His next short film, Kamuki (2015), was showcased at various international film festivals and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Direction.[9] His work is known for its depth, creativity, and emotional resonance.

Curry & Cyanide: The Jolly Joseph Case

In 2023, Christo Tomy directed the Netflix documentary .[10] This documentary, based on the Koodathayi cyanide killings, achieved significant acclaim.[11] The show reached the Global Top #2 position and remained in the Global Top Ten for three consecutive weeks. It amassed over 10 million views worldwide within three weeks of its release and featured in the Top Ten lists of more than 30 countries.

Ullozhukku

Christo Tomy's first feature film Ullozhukku (Undercurrent) was released in 2024 to positive reviews.[12] [13] Produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Honey Trehan, and Abhishek Chaubey, the film stars Parvathy Thiruvothu, Urvashi, and Arjun Radhakrishnan.[14] Ullozhukku has been part of several prestigious programs, including the Film Independent's Global Media Makers LA Residency, the NFDC Co-Production Market - Film Bazaar, and the NFDC Screenwriters Lab.[15] [16] The project won the Cinestaan India's Storytellers Script Contest, India's largest feature film script contest, judged by eminent filmmakers Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Hirani, Anjum Rajabali, and Juhi Chaturvedi.[17]

Filmography

Documentaries and short films

YearTitleWritten byNotes
2013Kanyaka (Virgin)Himself
2014Odvojen (Apart)Himself
2015Kamuki (Sweetheart)Himself
2019Dallas[18] Himself
2020A Window of Time - Lockdown DiariesHimself (among others)
2023Shalini Ushadevi

Musical videos

YearTitleWritten byNotes
2014You are Rot[19] Himself
2014Madakkam (Return)[20] Himself

Awards and accolades

AwardYearWorkCitationReference
National Film Award for Best First Non-Feature Film of a Director2013Kanyaka (Virgin)"For its wholly convincing mise-en-scene set in a convent run by Malayali nuns, wherein the grief and guilt of the young protagonist is presented in a manner that leaves a lot to the imagination of the viewer."[21]
Best music video award at the 7th International Short Film & Documentary Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).2014You are Rot[22]
National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Direction2015Kamuki (Sweetheart)"A sensitive portrayal of a young woman's determination to uphold her dignity against odds."[23]

See also

References

  1. Web site: Christo Tomy Director, Writer . 2024-07-04 . IMDb . en-US.
  2. News: Nagarajan . Saraswathy . 2024-07-03 . ‘Ullozhukku’ director Christo Tomy interview: ‘I did not want black and white characters in the movie’ . 2024-07-04 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  3. News: 2016-07-24 . Malayalam filmmaker Christo Tomy breaks fresh ground in filmmaking . 2024-07-04 . The Times of India . 0971-8257.
  4. Web site: Staff . Maktoob . 2016-09-16 . On the non-linear track: an interview with Christo Tomy - Anamika Aami . 2024-07-04 . Maktoob media . en-US.
  5. Web site: Sainik School Old Boys Association . 2024-07-04 . sskzmoba.org.
  6. Web site: Madhu . Vignesh . 2024-06-21 . Christo Tomy's eight-year journey culminates in Malayalam feature film 'Ullozhukku' . 2024-07-04 . The New Indian Express . en.
  7. News: Venugopal . Vasudha . 2018-05-22 . Jury distressed over flick on Arvind Kejriwal . 2024-07-04 . The Economic Times . 0013-0389.
  8. Web site: Ramachandran . Arjun . 2024-06-21 . EXCLUSIVE: I have a dream cast for my first feature film, says 'Ullozhukku' director Christo Tomy . 2024-07-08 . The South First . en.
  9. Web site: Service . Express News . 2016-06-14 . A teen's struggle to uphold dignity . 2024-07-08 . The New Indian Express . en.
  10. Web site: 2023-12-22 . Curry and Cyanide movie review: Netflix’s dissatisfying true crime documentary inelegantly exhumes Jolly Joseph serial killings case . 2024-07-04 . The Indian Express . en.
  11. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2023-12-13 . ‘Curry & Cyanide - The Jolly Joseph Case’ trailer: Netflix unveils documentary on Koodathayi murders . 2024-07-04 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  12. Web site: 2024-07-01 . Ullozhukku: Of womance, parental paternalism, physical touch, the role of patriarchy in Indian families and cinematic brilliance . 2024-07-04 . The Indian Express . en.
  13. News: Praveen . S. R. . 2024-06-21 . ‘Ullozhukku’ movie review: Urvashi’s powerhouse performance carries this haunting drama . 2024-07-04 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  14. Web site: 2024-06-21 . Ullozhukku movie review: A subtle and profound drama backed by incredible Urvashi and Parvathy . 2024-07-04 . The Indian Express . en.
  15. Web site: Undercurrent . 2024-07-04 . IFFLA . en-US.
  16. Web site: Film Independent Launches Fourth Year of Global Media Makers . 2024-07-04 . Film Independent . en-US.
  17. News: Bureau . The Hindu . 2024-06-27 . ‘Ullozhukku’ to be screened at Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles . 2024-07-04 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X.
  18. Web site: Dallas . 2024-07-11 . ashleymonti . en.
  19. Web site: Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute . 2024-07-11 . srfti.ac.in.
  20. Web site: Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute . 2024-07-11 . srfti.ac.in.
  21. Web site: 16 April 2014 . 61st National Film Awards . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140416181218/http://www.dff.nic.in/List%20of%20Awards.pdf . 16 April 2014 . 16 April 2014 . Directorate of Film Festivals.
  22. Web site: Service . Express News . 2014-07-23 . 'Chronicles of a Temple Painter' Bags Award for Best Long Documentary . 2024-07-11 . The New Indian Express . en.
  23. 63rd National Film Awards . Directorate of Film Festivals . 28 March 2016 . 28 March 2016 . 7 October 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161007194418/http://dff.nic.in/writereaddata/Winners_of_63rd_NFA_2015.pdf . live.

External links