by admin | Jul 11, 2024 | Festival Circuit
Assamese film Pai Tang, meaning ‘Step of Hope’, has been selected for the 10th Shimla International Film Festival, which will be held from August 16. It is based on a true story of the endangered Tai Phake people who live in Assam.
Revealing the backstory, Prabal Khaund, the director, says, “Knowing very well that ethnic groups face the danger of going extinct along with their language, culture and heritage, I began researching on whether any such threatened ethnic entity existed in Assam, and discovered that one such ethnic group called Tai Phake had migrated as early as 1775 from the Hou Kong valley of Myanmar to Assam.
“As per the latest census, their population is only around two thousand. UNESCO has declared the status of their existence as threatened. The followers of Buddhism, the Tai Phake people brought along with around 400 manuscripts in 1775. These are preserved in their Monastery library. However, many in the young generation cannot read or write in their language, and do not even know the meaning of the texts of their 400 odd manuscripts.
“Pai Tang (this word, taken from their mother tongue, means ‘a step of hope’) depicts the real life of the Tai Phake people. The shooting location is their picturesque Namphake village of Naharkatiya, and many of the actors are from that ethnic group. I pray that this film will create sufficient awareness of the Tai Phake people and address their dilemma.”
Pai Tang had previously been screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival, the Bangalore International Film Festival, the Darbhanga International Film Festival, and the Northeast International Film Festival. It has been honoured with several prizes.
Director: Prabal Khaund
Screenplay: Prabal Khaund and Meenakshi Deka
Actors: Jnanapal Mahather, Hum Chen Winken, Nuk Chen Winken, Paim Thi Gohain
Cinematography: Papu Deka
Editor: Ramen Bora
Sound designer: Devjit Gayan
Music composer: Rajiv Kashyap
Singers: Ai Cha Thamaung and Je Hum Hailong
Producer: Nav Kumar Bhuyan
EP: Sangeeta Nath Bhuyan
Banner: Ans Entertainment
by admin | Jul 9, 2024 | Festival Circuit
Bearing testament to the burgeoning talent in Assamese cinema, five films from the State have been selected for the 17th SiGNS International Film Festival, to be held at Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Kerala, in early August. The films are Kaankhowa by Hira Das, Son of the Soil by Akanshya Bhagabati, Maya by Susmita Talukdar, Pickles and Orange by Tridisha Goswami, and Ekaki by Rupam Jyoti Malakar.
The director of Kankhowa, which had won the House of Illusions award for Best Short Film by a Woman Director at Chalachitram 2023, says, “I am very happy for our film Kaankhowa’s selection in this prestigious film festival, for it’s a filmmaker’s dream to reach as wide an audience as possible.”
SiGNS, a pioneering festival in India for digital videos, is home to the prestigious John Abraham National Award. This national-level competition for documentaries and short fiction, named in memory of John Abraham, adds a layer of significance to the festival. The John Abraham Award was instituted in 1999 by the Kerala Region of the Federation of Film Societies of India in memory of John Abraham.
In 2005, the competition was extended to the national level, and the festival was renamed SiGNS. It focuses on documentary and short fiction films in video format. SiGNS has carved a niche for itself in the festival map in India and is entering its 17th edition this year. The festival is organised by the Kerala region of the Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI) in association with Malayalam University.
by admin | Jul 7, 2024 | Announcements
A former senior officer of Assam police, Dilip Bora, who is also an author, recently announced the title of his proposed debut film. Mr Manik Roy will be the co-director of the film. The film’s title is ‘Prastabana’ and is supported by an additional English title, ‘The Preamble’. The word Prastabana means ‘Introduction’ in English. The word Preamble refers explicitly to the Preamble of a constitution, likely the Indian Constitution. This Anglo-English title immediately creates an impression of a political film.
The screenplay is by Dilip Bora himself. Anmol Raj Saikia and Bhaskar Dutta will be assistant directors. Bitul Bora will be the Director of Photography. A. Srikar Prasad will edit the film. Arnab Bora designed the sound. Golok Saha has been given the responsibility of art direction. Additionally, Suman Phukan will handle the costume design aspect of the film, and Uttam Kumar Deka will be the production controller. Satyaranjan Bhuyan and Hiteswar Roy wrote and composed two songs for the film. Tapan Das will act as the main character. Other important characters will be played by Parbi Baruah, Hillol Kumar Pathak, Ashwini Bhuyan, Abtosh Bhuyan, Kaushik Nath, RK, Simanta Raj Sharma Kandali, Antara Choudhury, Kalpana Baruah, Rashmirekha Sharma, Suraj Kalita, Mukut Nath, Reena Choudhury, Samar Bora, Nilotpal Das, Chitra Bhowmik, Siddharth Roy, and several other actors and actresses.
The filmmakers, Dilip Bora and Manik Roy, expressed their confidence that this film will provide a unique cinematic experience to Assam’s audience.
by admin | Jul 6, 2024 | Festival Circuit
The 30th edition of the Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), organised by the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, Government of West Bengal, is scheduled to be held between 4 – 11 December 2024 in Kolkata, the cultural capital of the State. Accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Association (FIAPF), KIFF promises to be more exciting, appealing and satisfying to cinema lovers as they will continue to feel the charm of world-class cinema in the City of Joy.
The film world of Assam feels a close connection with Kolkata. Earlier, Assamese films were made in Kolkata’s studios. Assam’s first Government film studio started in 1960, and after that, this relationship came to a halt. Later, the relationship was revived with the KIFF. Thirty years ago, Assam had no proper film festival. Film lovers love to visit KIFF, which is not so far from Assam. Later, It became a habit for a few film lovers. Many filmmakers submitted their films for the festival; many films were screened, and a few bagged awards.
Filmmaker Produyt Kumar Deka says, “My film ‘Samiran Baruah Ahi Ase’ was screened at KIFF, and it was a big support for the team. I observed that KIFF always promotes films with new content and narrative.”
A documentary titled ‘Challenge’, directed by Sibanu Bora and Ramen Bora was awarded Best Documentary at KIFF, which has boosted the filmmaker duo’s zeal for filmmaking. Ramen Bora says, “Our film had Indian Premier in KIFF, which was a great encouragement for us. We, my co-director and our cinematographer, attended the festival, and we returned. Later, we learned that our film had been selected for the Best Documentary Award. We stood speechless.’
Competition Category
International Competition: Innovation in Moving Images
Competition in Indian Languages
Asian Select (NETPAC Award)
Bengali Panorama
National Competition on Documentary
National Competition on Short Fiction
Non-Competition Category
Cinema International
by admin | Jul 5, 2024 | Screenings
Assamese film Emon, Ashim Baishya’s latest directorial venture, produced by Vipul Kumar Das’ Emon Film Creations, released in 50 screen all over Assam, today.
Lyricist-music composer Ibsonlal Baruah, who contributed four songs says, “I had a beautiful experience working for this movie as the director and producers had given me complete liberty to work with the lyrics and music.
“Somimudi Jopiyam , a romantic song sung by the golden voice of Zubeen Garg has the musical notes that i will always love to be romantic with.
“Bagurumba, an interpretation of two different cultures merging into one, flowing through the stream of music has been beautifully sung by popular singer Neel Akash & a fresh voice Emon Kashyap.
“The song Mor Sohoror was described to me to be the entry song of the hero of the slums. I tried to keep it powerful as it was a dance track, where I blended Assamese ethnic instruments like Nagara & Bhortaal. Popular singer Dikshu Sarma has sung it very well as it was a total different melody & scale that it was composed on. Fresh voice Emon Kashyap has also done justice to the playback.
“Emon, the title song had my vocals only as the film was about to release, though I had some particular voice in my mind while composing. I’m very happy for all the songs of this movie as I have been getting nice feedbacks from the audiences & the songs are spreading to their audiences day by day.”
The screenplay was penned by Mridul Kumar Bora based on the director’s story. The principal actors of the films are Debjit Majumdar, Bedangshi Priyadarshini Saikia, Siddhartha Sharma, Munmi Phukan, Snigdha Gogoi, Deepjyoti Keot, Siddhant Kalita, Arnab Ayan, and Madhurima Choudhury.
by admin | Jun 29, 2024 | Events
The Film Association of Nagaland (FAN) recently hosted a groundbreaking cinematography workshop featuring renowned Assamese cinematographer and film director, Asutosh Kashyap. The event, sponsored by Canon, took place at the LG Conference Hall, CIHSR Hospital, attracting over 50 aspiring filmmakers and photographers from local colleges.
Kashyap, a mentor with Canon India boasting 17 years of experience in photography and seven years as a cinematographer, shared his expertise with the eager participants. “The key aspect of this workshop is enabling participants to perceive a film before its completion,” Kashyap stated, emphasising the importance of pre-visualization in filmmaking.
The workshop addressed unique challenges faced by Northeastern cinematographers and highlighted the need for independent film avenues and specialised training. Kashyap stressed the importance of staying current with technological advancements to resonate with modern audiences.
Athe Rhi, FAN’s General Secretary, highlighted the workshop’s pioneering nature in Nagaland, aimed at raising local filmmaking standards. Letminthang Kipgen, President of the Dimapur Photography Club, lauded Kashyap’s expertise and issued a compelling call for increased support from both government and private sectors. This call to action is designed to make the audience feel responsible and motivated to contribute to the growth of filmmaking as an art form and vocational pursuit.
Participant Noku Rikha from St. Joseph University described the workshop as a transformative experience that broadened perspectives and practical skills. “The workshop significantly altered our cinematic viewpoint,” Rikha said.
FAN extended heartfelt gratitude to Kashyap for his unwavering dedication to inspiring the next generation of filmmakers. His commitment potentially sets a new standard for Nagaland’s emerging film community, leaving the audience feeling appreciative and inspired.
