by admin | Jun 21, 2024 | Screenings
Homeboys is an Assamese feature film presented by Arindam Entertainment. The theme of the film is drugs and their influence on present-day youth. The film’s lead actors are Arindam Sharma and Anurag Bitopan Gogoi. A few other actors are Rajib P Deori, Prakash Acharya, Arjun Lahon, Porosh Phukon, Sikha Sharma, Mukul Sharma, Pradip Bhagawati, Mukul Barman, Jeet Baruah, and Dr Satyen Deka
Bitopan feels proud to be associated with this film. Expressing his reaction, he says- ‘I am thrilled that I have been chosen to play one major character in this film. Earlier, I had acted in ‘Ahetuk’, and the character I played was a minor role. This is my first major role in film. I am grateful to the director. One thing I would love to mention here is that in this film, the director used many beautiful locations of Assam and Meghalaya, which is one of the major attractions of the film.’
Homeboys, a film that celebrates regional diversity, included actors from two bordering states, Kikumsangla Imchen from Nagaland and Pinky Marak from Meghalaya. Tonthoi, a leading Manpuri actress, was invited for two Assamese films, Utpal Borpujari’s ‘Ishu’ and Diganta Majumdar’s ‘Barsharanya’.
The film, a labor of love that took eight long years to complete, overcame significant setbacks including the Coronavirus pandemic. Producer-director Arindam Sharma’s dedication is evident in his multiple roles as the story and screenplay writer, Director of Photography, music director, editor, and colour gradation artist. The sound designer, Anirban Barthakur, also contributed to this cinematic masterpiece. Homeboys was released on 18 screens in Assam and has a runtime of 143.13 minutes. An important aspect of the film release is that it was released outside of Assam with English and Hindi subtitles. This will show a path of expanding the Assamese film market.
by admin | Jun 20, 2024 | Festival Circuit
On the sidelines of the ongoing 18th Mumbai International Film Festival, the Indian Documentary Producers Association (IDPA) organized an Open Forum on the topic ‘Creating new opportunities for documentary-funding’. Esteemed speakers from the film industry shared their insights, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions for the financial viability of documentary films in India.
Opening the discussion, Shri Sanjit Narwekar, a V. Shantaram Awardee and National Award winner, emphasized the importance of developing a paying audience for documentaries in India. He noted that until such a culture emerges, documentary films cannot be made financially viable. He pointed out that while people are ready to finance fiction films, the lack of a revenue model hampers funding for documentaries. “ Some filmmakers finance their own films which gives them artistic freedom. We have seen government, corporate and crowdsourcing funding for documentaries, but none has really worked for filmmakers. People who spend their money always have some strings attached to it,” he said.
The veteran filmmaker also added that new technology and streaming platforms like MUBI are providing more screening avenues for documentaries. He posed the question of whether Indian documentary filmmakers could conceive a project like ‘Commandant’s Shadow’ given the current financial constraints.
Shri Premendra Mazumder, a film critic, author, and organiser, echoed this sentiment by stating that Indian audiences do not have a widespread culture of watching documentaries and a paying audience base must be established first. He noted that film festivals like MIFF play a crucial role. Shri Mazumder highlighted the global scale of the documentary film industry, valued at around $12 billion, but lamented that India’s share is minimal. “With approximately 18,000-20,000 films receiving certifications annually in India, only around 2,000 are feature films. Rest are documentary films. But we are not seeing this whole chunk of films being screened anywhere. Organizations like NFDC go a long way in promoting work of new documentary filmmakers”, he opined.
Shri Dharam Gulati, a Producer, Director, Director of Photography and an academician, pointed out the need for OTT platforms dedicated to documentary films. He observed that modern technology has reduced the cost of documentary filmmaking, enabling filmmakers to self-fund their projects. Gulati stressed that commitment, not just financial gain, is crucial for documentary filmmakers. He proposed that the government provide tax deductions to corporates using CSR funds for documentaries and mandate multiplexes to screen documentaries in exchange for tax benefits.
Sharing a differing perspective, Shri Utpal Datta, a writer and professor of Practice at Assam Down Town University, highlighted the challenges of complex bureaucratic processes in obtaining government funding. Shri Datta emphasised that people value paid content over free offerings and suggested that documentary film festivals should always charge for attendance.
Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, an independent filmmaker and freelance writer, emphasised the need for documentary filmmakers to evolve and explore emerging platforms like YouTube and OTT services. She suggested seeking funds from organisations with specific themes and utilizing corporate funds. Dr. Thakur proposed institutionalising documentary filmmaking to attract funding and recommended that different stakeholders, such as IDPA and the Bitchitra collective, collaborate to finance documentaries and establish fellowships for aspiring filmmakers. She also highlighted the potential of crowd funding and the importance of creating compelling content to attract viewership. Thakur noted the increasing number of women documentary filmmakers, helping to close the gender gap in the industry.
The session was moderated by Ms. Maya Chandra, a film production entrepreneur, who observed that youngsters seem less passionate about documentaries than feature films. She called for discussions on establishing a separate body or ecosystem for documentary film promotion. Chandra mentioned that corporate funds have recently started flowing into documentary films in states like Karnataka and suggested that IDPA could partner with theatre chains like INOX and PVR to screen documentaries, thereby cultivating an audience culture.
(In Photo From right to left :Dr. Dev Kanya Thakur, Shri Dharam Gulati, Shri Sanjit Narwekar, Shri Premendra Mazumder, Shri Utpal Datta and Ms Maya Chandra participating in an Open Forum discussion at 18th MIFF)
by admin | Jun 18, 2024 | Announcements
Jyotiprasad Agarwala was a true renaissance man, leaving an indelible mark on various spheres of Assamese culture. As a literary luminary, he crafted works that continue to captivate and inspire readers. Beyond his literary prowess, Agarwala was also a dedicated freedom fighter, passionately advocating for India’s independence.
Agarwala’s creative talents extended to music, where he showcased his extraordinary artistic abilities. However, his most significant contribution was as the pioneering filmmaker of the first Assamese film, Joymati, which paved the way for the growth of Assamese cinema.
In a testament to Agarwala’s enduring legacy, acclaimed novelist Sayed Abdul Malik has written a novel based on his life. Now, renowned director Manju Bora is set to bring this story to the silver screen. The film will be produced by Sanjib Narain and Dr. Akshata Narain, with the talented Boloram Das portraying the lead character.
This cinematic adaptation promises to be a creative and insightful exploration of Jyotiprasad Agarwala’s remarkable life, capturing the essence of his multifaceted contributions to Assamese culture. This film will celebrate the enduring legacy of this literary giant, freedom fighter, and visionary artist.
by admin | Jun 17, 2024 | Festival Circuit
The award-winning documentary “Challenge,” co-directed by Sibanu Bora and Ramen Borah, has been selected for screening at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). The film, which recently clinched the Best Documentary award at KIFF 2023, offers a poignant portrayal of Princhi Gogoi, a physically challenged girl from Assam’s Sonari district.
At its core, “Challenge” is a testament to the unwavering spirit of Beauty Gogoi, Princhi’s mother, who defied financial, social, and emotional odds to support her daughter. The documentary highlights the struggles faced by an economically disadvantaged family in raising a child with severe physical limitations while celebrating the mother’s relentless efforts to ensure her daughter’s education and self-reliance.
The film’s narrative, beautifully crafted by Purbani Goswami, is brought to life through the masterful cinematography of Hiten Thakuria and the combined sound design and mixing talents of Debajit Changmai and Amrit Pritam. The voices of Pabitra Margherita and Jitendra Ramprakash add depth and resonance to the storytelling, showcasing the collective dedication and talent behind the film.
“Challenge” not only chronicles Princhi’s journey but also serves as a powerful testament to life’s inherent beauty and the strength of perseverance. Its selection for MIFF is a significant milestone, underscoring the documentary’s growing recognition and impact on the festival circuit.
by admin | Jun 16, 2024 | Screenings
Kenny Basumatary’s highly anticipated “Local Kung Fu 3” is slated for theatrical release on September 5, 2024, coinciding with Teachers’ Day. The third film of the popular Assamese Film Series ‘Local Kung Fu’ promises to deliver an enhanced cinematic experience while staying true to its roots.
Building on the success of the previous two films of the series, the film reunites the original cast from the first “Local Kung Fu,” including fan-favourites Bonzo, Dulu, Tansen, Montu da, and Charlie da. New additions to the ensemble include Rimpi Das as Charlie da’s love interest, with Rubul Boro and Javed Akhtar stepping into antagonist roles.
Director Kenny Basumatary emphasised the significance of the release date, stating, “Teachers’ Day is the perfect date for release because the teacher-student relationship is the most important part of our society.”
With a commitment to delivering a paisa vasool big-screen experience, the production team is set to elevate the film in various aspects. Expect enhanced production value, more intense action sequences, and improved costume design, all aimed at making ‘Local Kung Fu 3’ a visual treat.
Fans can look forward to promotional material in the coming weeks, including an action teaser and two musical releases. The first, a comedic track titled “Ek Peg Dui Peg,” features vocals by Ambar Das and the LKF gang. The second, “Tumare Saayate Soku,” is a romantic duet performed by Raaj Jyoti Konwar and Shashwati Phukan.
The “Local Kung Fu” franchise has become a cultural phenomenon in Assam since the release of its first instalment in 2013. The original film achieved cult status, with many dialogues becoming part of everyday conversation in the state. The sequel, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Comedy of Errors,” also garnered significant popularity.
As anticipation builds for this latest chapter, “Local Kung Fu 3” seems poised to continue the franchise’s tradition of blending action, comedy, and local flavour, while exploring new thematic territory centred around education and loyalty.
