by admin | Aug 17, 2024 | Festival Circuit
Emuthi Puthi, a feature film by Kulanandini Mahanta, has been declared the recipient of the Rajat Kamal Award for best film in the regional language (Assamese). The film was commercially released and drew attention from the audience in all sections for its novel theme and unique presentation.
Assamese writer Parthiv Dhar received the Swarna Kamal for Best Writing in Cinema for his book Kishor Kumar, which he co-wrote with Anirudh Bhattacharya.
Nabapam Deka’s ‘Sunyata’ short feature under 30 months receives the Best Short Film award. He says- ‘Xunyota – The journey of Xunyota began at the Kolkata International Film Festival. From there, it screened at several Indian festivals before crossing borders to be shown at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. And now, as of yesterday, this film has brought home the National Award for Best Film. This film has completed a successful journey far beyond our imagination. In this moment, I want to extend my sincere thanks to my incredible team. Without your selfless contributions, none of this would have been possible.’
In the category of Best Feature Film in Each of the Language Other Than Those Specified In the Schedule VIII of the Constitution Dr. Bobby Sharma Baruah’s ‘Sikaichal’ won the award for Best Tiwa Film. In the non-feature category, Parthasarathi Mohanta’s documentary ‘Hargila’ and Aimi Barua’s documentary ‘Birubala: Witch to Padma Shri’ won special mention awards.
by admin | Aug 6, 2024 | Screenings
Upcoming filmmakers are attempting to widen the horizon of the content and concept of Assamese film with non-traditional form and content. PIKSHASH, a unique Assamese film, which released last Friday, stands out for its suspense and mystery genre.
Writer-director Amit Rag shares his intense journey with the characters. ‘The emotional journey and pain of Maya, Chaya, Mohit and Danuj were very excruciating indeed. I felt suffocated and stressed. My main aim in this film was to explore the psyche of each of them, and I tried to delve as deeply as possible into the minds of the characters. This challenge was not only during writing the film but also during the shooting, editing and post works. It was tiring and tough for me. But, overall, the experience was quite eye-opening.’
One of the Lead actors, Achinta, says, ‘The character I played in Pikhash is a dream role for any actor. It has the potential and scope to experiment and explore human psychology and behaviour. I am grateful to the director, Amitav Borah (da) and the producers for taking me on board with the project. To be honest. It was not at all easy. The profound scenes required a lot of energy, but what encouraged me was the enthusiasm of our young and energetic team. I am lucky to be a part of this fantastic team. Rest is up to the audience.’
Indrani Gogoi says, ‘I suffered a lot of mental pain while living the life of Chaya. The character I play taught me to be sensitive. If I had suffered so much mentally while playing that character, we wouldn’t even think how many such children are suffering around us.’
Lead actress Jeanette says, ‘Getting cast for such a character, with lots of work, was itself a privilege and equally a significant challenge in the first place. On top of that, it was my debut too. My debut experience with a character that has all the five flavours of sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami was overall a colourful experience of pleasure, pain, labour & victory. It felt good hearing the applauses at the end of long, intense sequences. And some of the scenes came out great in the very first take. I consider this a significant phase of my career.’
Word of mouth has so far helped the film in attracting a good audience.
by admin | Aug 5, 2024 | Announcements
An Assamese experimental short film “Rongali – Colors of Nature” directed by Pritam Patowary has secured a coveted spot in the final round of the WOWMOSCOW International Competition of Short Videos about Cities. The contest, jointly organised by the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the HSE Art and Design School in Russia, aims to showcase diverse urban perspectives through short-form cinema.
Nine finalists from across the globe will travel to Moscow for an intensive week-long filmmaking workshop. During this time, participants will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas for a Moscow-centric film project. The creator behind the winning pitch will receive total funding from the competition’s organisers to bring their vision to life on the streets of the Russian capital.
This selection marks a significant milestone for Patowary and opens doors for exciting international collaboration in the indie film scene. The competition highlights emerging talent and promotes cultural exchange through the lens of urban storytelling. “It’s a really big opportunity for me to showcase the Assamese landscapes on the world stage, and I’m still in awe,” says Patowary, who is from Tangla and studies at Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
by admin | Aug 2, 2024 | Announcements
A young filmmaker from Assam, Chinmoy Barma, has been honoured with the “Inspiring Youth Enterprise Award for Filmmaking” at the Global Leaders Awards 2024. This accolade acknowledges Barma’s contributions to the film industry, particularly his efforts in promoting Assamese folklore through his innovative films.
The award ceremony is set to take place on August 31, 2024, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Global Leaders Awards 2024 is an esteemed event organized by Bizox Media Network and powered by I-Novate Technology Ltd. It will host over 250 delegates, including business leaders and dignitaries from the USA, UK, India, UAE, Canada, Australia, and other countries, who will gather to celebrate excellence in entrepreneurship and enterprise across multiple sectors.
Chinmoy Barma has carved a niche for himself in the film industry with a diverse and compelling filmography that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Assam. Jokhini explores the mystical elements of Assamese folklore while Ghorapak blends storytelling with the melodious tune of Ojapali, a traditional Assamese art form. His other notable films are Ahalya, Tezor Tukura, Narakasur, Morome Ringiaai, and Aham. Barma expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “This award is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the vibrant filmmaking community in Assam and the incredible potential of young filmmakers. I am deeply honoured,” he stated.
by admin | Jul 31, 2024 | Screenings
In an unexpected turn of events, the Assamese film “Bidurbhai” has become the talk of the regional film industry, grossing an impressive 3.5 crore rupees in less than two weeks since its release on July 19. Trade analysts are now projecting the film could cross the 10-crore mark, a significant achievement for a regional production.
The success of “Bidurbhai” marks a triumphant return for director SUV, whose previous urban blockbuster “Sri Raghupati” had set high expectations. However, “Bidurbhai” represents a dramatic shift in both setting and style. Unlike its glitzy predecessor, this film is rooted in rural Assam, featuring a cast of relatively unknown actors and a storyline that celebrates the simplicity of village life.
Himangshu Prasad Das, a veteran of the Assamese film industry known for his multiple roles as a writer, director, and actor, shared his insights on the film’s success. “The gripping narrative flow, coupled with authentic performances and top-notch technical work, has clearly struck a chord with audiences,” Das remarked. He particularly praised SUV’s deft handling of the cinematic narrative, noting the director’s growth since his last venture.
However, the film hasn’t been without its share of controversy. Gender activist Rituparna has raised concerns about certain dialogues in the film, which she perceives as making light of issues related to the third gender community.
Adding to the buzz surrounding “Bidurbhai,” industry insiders hint at a potential collaboration between SUV and popular actor Ravi Sarma. Sources suggest that SUV may be in talks to direct a big-budget film featuring Sarma in the lead role, though no official announcement has been made.
The unexpected success of “Bidurbhai” is seen as a potential game-changer in the regional film circuit. It demonstrates that when told effectively, rural-centric stories can compete with and potentially outperform urban-centric blockbusters. This shift could herald a new trend in regional cinema, with more filmmakers potentially exploring stories from India’s heartland.
As “Bidurbhai” continues its successful run in theatres, all eyes are on the SUV’s next move. Will he return to the glitz and glamour of urban storytelling, or will he further explore the untapped potential of rural narratives? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: “Bidurbhai” has firmly established SUV as a director to watch in the evolving landscape of Indian regional cinema.
