Shubhashish Bhutiani | 2016 | India | 102’

In this heart-warming drama about people facing the end of their lives, the Hotel Salvation, perched on the banks of the holy river Ganges, is where Hindu believers come to spend their final days. Faith and family become intertwined as a slightly frayed 77-year-old suddenly senses his time is up and prevails on his hard-working son to drive him to Varanasi so he can peacefully pass on. Gentle humour and the quirky habits of the elderly soften the tone as the father’s hopes don’t exactly pan out as planned. A leisurely, wise and ultimately affecting meditation on the benefits of letting go.