Lucknow: La Martiniere Girls’ College hosted a special screening of the internationally acclaimed, award-winning Malaysian film Memori, offering students a rare and enriching encounter with global cinema and deeply personal storytelling. The screening was organised as part of the institution’s ongoing effort to broaden cultural horizons and encourage thoughtful engagement with the arts.
Directed by Abid Hussain—an alumnus of La Martiniere College, Lucknow—Memori is inspired by the life of the director’s father. The film unfolds as a quiet yet powerful meditation on memory, identity, and emotion. Through its understated narrative and evocative visuals, Memori held the audience’s attention throughout, inviting viewers to reflect on the fragility of remembrance and the emotional bonds that shape human experience. Its subtle storytelling and emotional restraint resonated strongly with students, many of whom found the film both moving and thought-provoking.
The occasion was further enriched by the presence of Abid Hussain himself. Following the screening, he interacted with the students in an engaging and candid discussion, offering insights into the origins of the story and the creative choices that shaped the film. He spoke openly about the challenges of translating a deeply personal family narrative into cinema, touching upon issues of vulnerability, authenticity, and perseverance. His reflections provided students with a rare, first-hand glimpse into the realities of independent filmmaking and the determination required to bring intimate, lived experiences to the screen.
The interactive session encouraged questions and dialogue, allowing students to connect the film not only to cinematic technique but also to broader themes of culture, memory, and self-expression. For many, the interaction demystified the filmmaking process and underscored the power of cinema as a medium for personal and cross-cultural storytelling.
The event stood as a meaningful celebration of cinema beyond borders—where stories transcend geography and speak to shared human emotions. It reaffirmed La Martiniere Girls’ College’s commitment to fostering artistic appreciation, creative thinking, and global perspectives among its students, while inspiring young minds to view cinema as both an art form and a bridge between cultures.
