It’s difficult to portray Assamese society in films, say film critics

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, January 3: Can the Assamese films portray what Assamese society is? Film–makers and film critics say it is not an easy task, yet there have been some spontaneous and deliberate efforts.

The 28th Guwahati Book Fair organized by Publication Board, Assam had a discussion on ’Chalochitra’ aru Jibon Poriborton (cinema and change in social life). The discussion was moderated by film director and critic Charu Kamal Hazarika.

Speaking on the occasion, film director and critic Sanjib Sabapandit said: “Reflecting the greater Assamese society is not an easy task. This is because the social diversity in Assam is vast, and the Assamese cinema simply can’t reflect such a diverse social picture. However, to an extent Assamese society is being reflected in the Assamese films as there are some efforts, spontaneously or consciously.”

Sabapandit, however, said: “Most of the Assamese films produced after 1990s are devoid of elements of their own.”

Film critic yan Prasad said: “Indian cinemas are more peculiar than cinemas elsewhere in the world. This is because we’ve films on diverse languages.”

On the survival of Assamese films, Prasad said: “Hindi films are cannibal in ture. They  have posed a serious threat to the survival of regiol films. The amount they can spend for a film and the technology they use are simply beyond the reach of the producers of small–fund regiol films like that of Assamese.”

Prasad rued the fact that no producer of the state did any film on the Assam Movement in the state and the activities of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). “This is because, a film will either be against the activities of the two bodies or in their favour, and neither of them is free from risk for the producers,” Prasad said, and added: “The Assamese film industry now has many directors. What sort of films they will make is still not clear.”

Charu Kamal Hazarika said: “Film production is a serious matter that seeks the right degree of seriousness in their making.”

Meanwhile, Shillong pop singer Lu Majaw enthralled those present at the book fair with his numbers in the evening.

Tomorrow, the visitors to the book fair will witness an interaction with Assam Valley Literary Award–winning poet Hirendra th Dutta at 12 noon.