Assamese transgender film all set to conquer the festival circuit: Sight & Sound

Assamese transgender film all set to conquer the festival circuit

Assam-born filmmaker Prakash Deka's 'Jonaki Porua' (Fireflies) has been selected to be screened at the Twin Cities Film Festival, Minneapolis, and the Indian Film Festival of Ireland this year, among other venues.

Based in a remote Assamese village, 'Jonaki Porua' is the story of resilience of Jahnu's journey to being Jahnavi, a transwoman, standing against the tide to be herself in a remote village in Assam.

The film will have its North American Premiere at the Twin Cities Film Fest, which is one of America's premiere celebrations of independent cinema, to be held from October 16 to 28, 2019. 'Jonaki Porua' is also an official selection for the Independent Prisma Film Awards, Rome, for the October edition.

The movie seems an adept fit to the festival's core belief of cinema challenging the status quo and shifting perceptions.

In November, 'Jonaki Porua' will travel halfway across the world to the Indian Film Festival of Ireland, which aims to introduce the Irish audience with the global vision of Indian Cinema.

The film is also scheduled to travel to Dialogues-Calcutta International LGBTQ Film And Video Festival, one of the most prestigious queer film festivals in India in November and then later at Bangalore Queer Film Festival next year in February.

An upcoming self-taught writer and filmmaker from Assam, Prakash Deka, who hails from a theatre background, makes his cinematic debut with this socially relevant film. Deka has been quite cautious in treading the film's sensitive subject, while shedding light on the hostile conditions transgenders are subjected to. The film could well change the way society think and feel about one of the most underrepresented and misunderstood community. Deka also has an ongoing feature film project, 'Broken Arrow' at the post-production stage. Deka's wife, Bitopi Dutta, a PhD research scholar based in Dublin, has also been a part of the creative process, apart from acting in the film.

The personal insights of Milin Dutta, the film's producer and a computer engineer by profession, also inject an intensely personal element to the film. A well-known transgender figure, the Assam-born social activist has tackled his challenging life quite fearlessly. From being born with a female body, to realising that he was different, to spreading awareness about different sexual orientations, his journey has been quite eventful. Dutta has contributed to spreading awareness about the LGBT community to the general public in the USA and India by being an active founder of various social groups such as 'Out in the Backyard' (USA) and 'Xukia' (Guwahati).

Currently a resident of the United States, 'Jonaki Porua' is Dutta's first production venture, and its critical acclaim is definitely a step forward in his philanthropic journey.

Made with a tiny budget, 'Jonaki Porua', which was filmed in Nalbari, Guwahati and Tezpur, is, perhaps, the first Assamese feature to confront homophobia and the stigma attached to being a transgender, enduring social discrimination and prejudice from the society. Featuring a cast of six actors, the role of the protagonist has been played by Benjamin Daimary, who is a member of the LGBTQ community. The whole process of getting involved in the film has been an empowering experience for him on a personal level.

Assamese filmmaker bags new york cinematography award 2019

Assam filmmaker Arunjit Borah has recently brought laurels to the State by bagging the New York Cinematography Award 2019 for his film 'Midnight Song'. Borah bagged the 'Best First Time Director' award for his film 'Midnight Song' as an August 2019 winner of the NYCA.

"I am delighted to have bagged the award for Best First-time Director at the New York Cinematorghaphy award for my film 'Midnight Song'. My film will have its live screening in New York on June 29, 2020. This award is for the entire team of Midnight Song," the filmmaker said.

Directed by Arunjit Borah and produced by Aparajita Bhuyan, 'Midnight Song' is a suspense drama based on relationship crisis and self-discovery of a woman Mou.

The film stars Rupam Chetia, Kalpana Kalita and Monuj Borkotoky in lead roles.

New York Cinematography AWARDS (NYCA) is a monthly film competition for independent filmmakers across the world.

The filmmakers are awarded in various categories after a comprehensive evaluation process by a panel of experts.

The NYCA film festival features live screenings of NYCA winning films, an exhibition and an award ceremony in New York.

Pratima pandey's statue to come up at gauripur

Foundation stone of a statue of famous Goalporiya folk singer Pratima Barua Pandey and a park was laid recently by Nizanur Rahman, MLA, Gauripur near the Hawamahal of the erstwhile zaminder of Gauripur Royal Estate, situated at Matiabag area of Gauripur town. The Government of Assam has sanctioned Rs 25 lakh for the purpose.

The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by Purabi Konwar, Executive Officer, Zila Parishad, Executive Engineer, PWD Dhubri. Hanif Ali Talukdar, Principal, PB College, Prabir Coomer Baruah, brother of Padma Shri Pratima Barua Pandey and a few others. Addressing the gathering, the MLA hoped that the statue and the park will surely keep the memory of Pratima Barua Pandey alive and young singers should try to follow her path to enrich the folk songs of undivided Goalpara district.

New bodo film released to popular appeal

'Gwthar' – a Bodo feature film, recounting the story of an innocent boy, who turns into a rebel, made under the banner of RB Film Productions, was recently released amidst a lot of fanfare in Ramfalbil.

The film's premiere show, held at the RN Brahma Memorial Field, Ramfalbil, was inaugurated by MLA of West Kokrajhar constituency Rabiram Narzary, in the presence of the film's unit, fans and other dignitaries.

An artistes' evening was also held in connection, where noted artistes like Helina, Fuji, Jenifer, Gemsri, Sukbir, Riya,Thaklai, among others, showcased their performances.

Addressing before the huge spectators, Narzary said that the film industry was one of the most important sectors to give career opportunities to the youths and aspiring artistes.

He said RB Film Productions has been playing an important role in the development of the film industry and it has always emphasised on adopting modern techniques at par with the Hindi cine world.

He also said that films should reflect the culture and traditions of the society. Narzary said there is no proper infrastructure for showing Bodo films in the region.

He also stressed on the need for developing the requisite infrastructures to boost the film industry in BTC.

The film's producer Riya Brahma said she is extremely happy to see a number of enthusiastic crowds in the premiere show. She also hoped that people of the region and cine lovers will inspire her efforts.

The story is written by Pankosh Lahary, while the direction has been given by Raja Narzary. 'Gwthar' is packed with ingredients like action, emotion, suspense, colourful dances and songs, among others.

The premier show was also attended by BTC MCLA Jatirindra Brahma, Chirang deputy commissioner G Talukdar, superintendent of police of Kokrajhar Rajen Singh, additional SP Rosy Rani Sharma, among others.

Prantik Deka