#IFFI Wood, 24 November 2022

 

IFFI 53’s showpiece section celebrating ‘50 years of Manipuri Cinema’ opened yesterday. The Secretary of Manipur Film Development Society, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said it was a long-cherished dream they have realised, and thanked Ministry of I&B and NFDC for the support, and the healthy relationship which culminated in this proud moment of a showcase section for Manipuri cinema at IFFI.

Mr. Bachaspatimayum, along with Chairperson, Film Forum-Manipur, L Surjakanta Sarma, Director Ashok Veilou and Creative Producer Alexander L Pou was interacting with the media and delegates during IFFI “Table Talks” organized on the side-lines of IFFI 53 in Goa.

A package of 10 films – 5 each in the feature and non-feature segments – will be screened at IFFI this year to celebrate the golden jubilee of Manipuri cinema. The opening films yesterday were non-feature film Ratan Thiyam: The Man of Theatre and feature film Ishanau.

Mr. Bachaspatimayum spoke about the genesis of Manipuri cinema in 1972 with the release of Matamgi Manipur, and subsequently Brojendragee Luhongba. He spoke about the issues filmmakers face in Manipur – from low-budgets to political turmoil – and yet churn out around 45-50 feature films annually, some of which are now even part of OTT platforms like Netflix – which is a testament to the maturing of the film industry in Manipur.

Filmmaker Ashok Veilou and his brother Alexander L Pou, both alumnus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute Kolkata, spoke about their film having a significant personal touch. Their feature film on political turmoil, named Look at the Sky portrays the right to vote and other constitutional rights and bears strong influences of events associated with their family in their native village.

He also spoke highly of all non-professional yet extremely talented actors who were part of Look at the Sky, and their work that has earned them a screening here at IFFI. Producer Alexander L Pou and others highlighted the fact that their movies are reflections of the unique cultural life and politics in their State. Mr Sunzu Bachaspatimayum also highlighted the strong influence of rich tradition of theatre in Manipur – the first feature film Matamgi Manipur being an adaptation of the play Tirthayatra.

Mr. Sunzu Bachaspatimayum also said that despite closure of cinema halls for many years, recently 2 PVR theatres with around 200-capacity were opened in Manipur. Alongside this, the keen interest of OTT platforms in Manipuri cinema is expected to give a thrust to local filmmakers to showcase their works locally and internationally.

 

* * *

PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Nadeem/ Parikshit/Panthoibi/Darshana | IFFI53 - 107

सोशल मिडियावर आम्हाला फॉलो करा:@PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai  pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com  /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai

(Release ID: 1878760) Visitor Counter : 541