{{Short description|2021 film}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox film | image = Pebbles poster.jpg | caption = Poster | director = P. S. Vinothraj | producer = Vignesh Shivan<br/>Nayanthara<br/>Sai Devanand S |screenplay = P. S. Vinothraj<br/>Vignesh Kumulai | story = | based_on = | starring = {{plainlist| * Chellapandi * Karuththadaiyaan }} | narrator = | music = Yuvan Shankar Raja | cinematography = Vignesh Kumulai<br />Jeya Parthipan | editing = Ganesh Siva | production_companies = Rowdy Pictures <br /> Learn and Teach Production | released = {{film date|2021|2|4|df=yes|IFFR}} | runtime = 75 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil | budget = | gross = }} '''''Pebbles''''' (Tamil: '''''Koozhangal''''') is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by debutant P. S. Vinothraj.<ref name="Variety">{{Cite news |last=Meza |first=Ed |date=February 7, 2021 |title=Indian Drama 'Pebbles,' Argentina's 'The Dog Who Wouldn't Be Quiet' Win Top Rotterdam Awards fear |url=https://variety.com/2021/global/global/indian-drama-pebbles-argentinas-the-dog-who-wouldnt-be-quiet-win-top-rotterdam-awards-iffr-1234902643/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730064155/https://variety.com/2021/global/global/indian-drama-pebbles-argentinas-the-dog-who-wouldnt-be-quiet-win-top-rotterdam-awards-iffr-1234902643/ |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=Variety}}</ref> The film was produced by Vignesh Shivan and Nayanthara under the Rowdy Pictures banner and Co-Produced by Learn and Teach Production <ref>{{Cite news |title=Vignesh Shivan's next production is Koozhangal in Yuvan's music |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vignesh-shivans-next-production-is-koozhangal-in-yuvans-music/articleshow/79914177.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703172936/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vignesh-shivans-next-production-is-koozhangal-in-yuvans-music/articleshow/79914177.cms |archive-date=3 July 2023 |access-date=2021-04-02 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Featuring music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, the film had cinematography handled by Jeya Parthipan and Vignesh Kumulai and was edited by Ganesh Siva.
''Pebbles'' was screened at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam held in Netherlands on 4 February 2021, where it received the Tiger Award at the festival.<ref name="THR" /> It was selected as the Indian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, but was not nominated.<ref name="India">{{Cite web |date=23 October 2021 |title=Oscars: Tamil film 'Koozhangal' will represent India in the international feature film category |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1008382/oscars-tamil-film-koozhangal-will-represent-india-in-the-international-feature-film-category |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506121954/https://scroll.in/reel/1008382/oscars-tamil-film-koozhangal-will-represent-india-in-the-international-feature-film-category |archive-date=6 May 2022 |access-date=23 October 2021 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 December 2021 |title=India's official entry to Oscars, Tamil film Koozhangal, out of the race |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/indias-official-entry-oscars-tamil-film-koozhangal-out-race-159007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104134816/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/indias-official-entry-oscars-tamil-film-koozhangal-out-race-159007 |archive-date=4 January 2022 |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=The News Minute}}</ref> and was also screened at the 52nd International Film Festival of India in 'Indian Panorama' section, feature film category.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 November 2021 |title=Indian Panorama Announces Official Selection for 52nd IFFI, 2021 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1769681 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109053401/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1769681 |archive-date=9 November 2021 |access-date=9 November 2021 |work=PIB GOI |via=Press release}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 October 2023 |title=Koozhangal (Pebbles) To Premiere on Sony Liv on This Date |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/koozhangal-pebbles-to-premiere-on-sony-liv-on-this-date |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030105341/https://www.filmcompanion.in/news/koozhangal-pebbles-to-premiere-on-sony-liv-on-this-date |archive-date=30 October 2023 |access-date=30 October 2023 |publisher=Film Companion}}</ref>
The central theme of the movie is about retrieval. A father seeks to retrieve his wife. The son who accompanies him seeks to retain his childhood. The mother who remains unseen in the movie seeks to retrieve some water.
== Plot == An angry man barges into a school to retrieve his son. He takes the boy out of school and they get on a bus to the neighboring village. It turns out that the mother left them and went back to her mother's house and that is where the son and father are headed. When the pair reaches the village it turns out that the mother left early in the morning back to her husband's house. The husband fights with his wife's family and threatens to kill the wife upon going back to his house. The son tears up the paper money they have to prevent the father from going back by bus. So they walk back towards their village in the afternoon heat. During the walk the son loses a few things and finds a few things such as a pebble and a puppy. The father comes across certain elements that he can't explain. It makes him question his own mortality and dents his bravado. By the time they reach home the father is worn out. The father learns that the mother has gone to fetch water. He sits down to eat that which his wife has prepared for him. The son lets his baby sister play with his new puppy and places the new pebble on top of his collections of pebbles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pebbles {{!}} IFFR |url=https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2021/films/pebbles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116082932/https://iffr.com/en/iffr/2021/films/pebbles |archive-date=16 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=iffr.com}}</ref>
== Cast == * Chellapandi as Velu<ref name="The Hindu">{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=2021-02-04 |title='Koozhangal' movie review: A sensational debut from PS Vinothraj that is evocative, visceral and powerful |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/koozhangal-movie-review/article33750239.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730103359/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/koozhangal-movie-review/article33750239.ece |archive-date=30 July 2023 |access-date=2021-04-02 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> * Karuththadaiyaan as Ganapathy<ref name="The Hindu" />
== Production == The story of the film is based on a real incident of director Vinothraj's family which inspired him to direct the film.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Thinkal |title=Vinothraj on Koozhangal winning at IFFR |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vinothraj-on-koozhangal-winning-at-iffr/articleshow/80755102.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210003122/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/vinothraj-on-koozhangal-winning-at-iffr/articleshow/80755102.cms |archive-date=10 February 2021 |access-date=2021-04-02 |work=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> Vinoth stated that he spent a lot of time looking for an arid landscape, which was required for the story and was finally found in Arittapati, near Melur in Madurai. The whole film was shot at Arittapati in 30 days.<ref name=":0" /> The mountains in the 13 villages where the film was shot are thousands of years old and the villages which Vinoth explored, as a part of the story, too developed on its own. The biggest challenge of shooting the film is mostly the humid weather, for which he stated that "As sunlight was crucial for the story, we would start shooting every day after 10am and wind up by 3pm. We would watch the rushes in the evening and that would give us the motivation for the next day."<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2023 |title=I don't corner my characters, only place them in context: 'Koozhangal' director Vinodhraj |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/nov/15/i-dont-corner-my-characters-only-place-them-in-context-koozhangal-director-vinodhraj-2632844.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116162109/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2023/nov/15/i-dont-corner-my-characters-only-place-them-in-context-koozhangal-director-vinodhraj-2632844.html |archive-date=16 November 2023 |access-date=16 November 2023 |publisher=New Indian Express}}</ref>
== Reception == {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=100|count=11|average=8.6|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=July 18, 2022}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pebbles - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pebbles |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>
S. Srivatsan of ''The Hindu'' wrote in his review stating "There has never been a Tamil film that has captured the vastness of rural life in a more austere, art-house fashion. PS Vinothraj knows what are all the basics of filmmaking that is lacking, even in the works of celebrated filmmakers."<ref name="The Hindu" /> Baradwaj Rangan wrote for ''Film Companion South'', "Despite the many tragedies in the scenario (both natural and man-made), the film doesn't beg for our sympathies. Only at the very end do we feel a twinge."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-04 |title=Rotterdam 2021: PS Vinothraj Makes A Stunning Debut With Koozhangal (Pebbles), A Father-Son 'Road Movie' |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/tamil-review/rotterdam-film-festival-2021-iffr-pebbles-koozhangal-tiger-competition-ps-vinothraj-makes-a-stunning-debut-with-a-father-son-road-movie-nayanthara-vignesh-shivan-baradwaj-rangan/ |access-date=2021-04-02 |website=Film Companion |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Accolades== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Award ! Date of ceremony ! Category ! Recipient(s) ! Result ! class="unsortable"| {{nowrap|{{Abbr|Ref(s)|References}}}} |- |Asian Film Awards |8 October 2021 |Best New Director |rowspan="2"|P.S. Vinothraj |{{nom}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2021 |title=The Asian Film Awards Academy (Academy) today announced the finalists for the 15th Asian Film Awards. |url=http://www.afa-academy.com/page?mid=23&cat=144&post_id=1304 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909100749/http://www.afa-academy.com/page?mid=23&cat=144&post_id=1304 |archive-date=9 September 2021 |access-date=9 September 2021 |website=Asian Film Awards Academy |publisher=AFA}}</ref> |- |rowspan="2"|Asia Pacific Screen Awards |rowspan="2"|11 November 2021 |Achievement in Directing |{{nom}} |rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Valerie Complex |date=12 October 2021 |title=Asia Pacific Screen Academy Announces Nominees For 14th Annual Awards Ceremony |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/asia-pacific-screen-academy-announces-nominees-14th-awards-1234855082/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013032958/https://deadline.com/2021/10/asia-pacific-screen-academy-announces-nominees-14th-awards-1234855082/ |archive-date=13 October 2021 |access-date=17 November 2021 |work=Deadline |language=en}}</ref> |- |Achievement in Cinematography |Vignesh Kumulai and Jeya Parthipan |{{nom}} |- |International Film Festival Rotterdam |22 June 2021 |Tiger Award |P.S. Vinothraj |{{won}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="THR">{{Cite news |last=Roxborough |first=Scott |date=February 7, 2021 |title='Pebbles' Wins Top Honor at 2021 Rotterdam Film Festival |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/rotterdam-indian-winner-pebbles-4129130 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207185411/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/amp/news/rotterdam-indian-winner-pebbles |archive-date=7 February 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- | Independent Spirit Awards | 6 March 2022 | Best International Film | ''Pebbles'' | {{nom}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="NBP">{{Cite news |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=December 14, 2021 |title=The 2022 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2022-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129051620/https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2022-film-independent-spirit-award-nominations/ |archive-date=29 November 2023 |access-date=December 14, 2021 |work=NextBestPicture}}</ref> |- | South Indian International Movie Awards | 10th South Indian International Movie Awards | Best Debut Producer (Tamil) | ''Koozhangal'' | {{nom}} |style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2022 |title=SIIMA 2022: Check full list of winners |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/siima-2022-check-full-list-of-winners-1144404#1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922034205/https://www.deccanherald.com/dh-galleries/photos/siima-2022-check-full-list-of-winners-1144404#1 |archive-date=22 September 2022 |access-date=24 December 2022 |publisher=Deccan Herald}}</ref> |- |} ''Pebbles'' was premiered at the 50th International Film Festival Rotterdam held in Netherlands on 4 February 2021.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2021-02-05 |title=Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan attend 'Koozhangal' premier at Rotterdam film festival |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-vignesh-shivan-attend-koozhangal-premier-rotterdam-film-festival-142818 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430085316/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/nayanthara-vignesh-shivan-attend-koozhangal-premier-rotterdam-film-festival-142818 |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=2021-04-30 |website=The News Minute |language=en}}</ref> The film was officially selected at the North American premiere of New Directors New Films Festival which held on 28 April to 8 May,<ref name=":2">{{Cite tweet |number=1387057593869238278 |user=Rowdy_Pictures |title=With your support our film #Koozhangal has won yet another feather to {{as written|i|t's [sic]}} hat! Thanks for helping us out and sticking around despite the tough time! Much love to you all ❤️❤️ |author=Rowdy Pictures Pvt Ltd |date=27 April 2021}}</ref> and also selected at the Jeonju International Film Festival held in South Korea from 29 April to 8 May.<ref name=":3">{{Cite tweet |number=1387988027700498437 |user=Rowdy_Pictures |title=Another day, another laurel! So grateful for the recognition this film has been receiving |author=Rowdy Pictures Pvt Ltd |date=30 April 2021}}</ref> The film was also screened at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles held on 20 to 27 May,<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Rowdy Pictures's Instagram profile post: "And we are on! So grateful for all this overwhelming response ❤️ #stayhomestaysafe #rowdypictures #koozhangal #IFFLA2021 #rotterdam…" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CPGGKdrDmHx/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/therowdypictures/2577774944050897393 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=2021-05-29 |website=Instagram |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and at the Kyiv Molodist International Film Festival held from 29 May to 6 June.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Rowdy Pictures (@therowdypictures) posted on Instagram: "Sky is the limit ✨ #stayhomestaysafe #rowdypictures #molodistfilmfestival #koozhangal #IFFLA2021 #rotterdam…" • May 29, 2021 at 7:49am UTC |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CPcvXnljbTO/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/therowdypictures/2584148617443783886 |archive-date=25 December 2021 |access-date=2021-05-29 |website=Instagram |language=en}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''Pebbles'' is India's official entry to Oscars 2022. 14 films were shortlisted for this year's India's official entry to the Oscars 2022. Among the 14 films were ''Nayattu'', ''Mandela'', and ''Sardar Udham''. Shaji N Karun, the chairperson of the 15-member selection committee watched the 14 films in Kolkata. Reportedly, the decision to select ''Pebbles'' for the Oscars 2022 was unanimous.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=23 October 2021 |title=Tamil film 'Koozhangal' is India's official entry to the Oscars 2022 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tamil-film-koozhangal-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars-2022/article37137025.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024042646/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tamil-film-koozhangal-is-indias-official-entry-to-the-oscars-2022/article37137025.ece |archive-date=24 October 2021 |access-date=24 October 2021 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> However, the film was not nominated for the award.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=22 December 2021 |title=PS Vinothraj's Koozhangal out of Oscars race |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ps-vinothrajs-koozhangal-out-of-oscars-race/articleshow/88427121.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104144430/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ps-vinothrajs-koozhangal-out-of-oscars-race/articleshow/88427121.cms |archive-date=4 January 2022 |access-date=4 January 2022 |website=Times of India}}</ref>
==See also== * List of submissions to the 94th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film * List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title}}
{{Indian submission for Academy Awards}}
Category:2021 drama films Category:2021 films Category:2021 independent films Category:2021 Indian films Category:2021 Tamil-language films Category:Films about domestic violence Category:Indian drama films Category:Indian independent films Category:Tamil-language drama films Category:Tamil-language Indian films