Animation films powerful medium to get community voices out to the larger audience: Debjani Mukherjee
Film makers from North East are concerned about passion for films rather than profit: James Khangembam
Though a niche area, animation films are a fantastic and powerful medium to get community voices out to the larger audience, said Debjani Mukherjee, curator of Yangon Film School package at MIFF 2022. She was talking at the #MIFF dialogue held in connection with the 17th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival. James Khangembam, director of the opening documentary film ‘Meiram-The Fireline’, and Vaishali Vasant Kendale, director of the Hindi documentary ‘Investing Life’ also joined the discussion.
Debjani Mukherjee an award-winning independent animation filmmaker and author also elaborated on the process she adopted in mentoring student films under the themes ‘gender-based violence and ‘stories of friendship’. “We picked up students from the community who belongs to various social, political, economic and religious backgrounds. They have absolutely no prior experience or training in arts or film making. We worked two to three months together to make animated documentaries. Students recorded the audio narratives of the contributors from the community and they are converted into animation films”, she added. Debjani also expressed confidence that platforms like MIFF will help in better marketing and distribution of animation films.
James Khangembam, director of the opening documentary film ‘Meiram-The Fireline’ said that filmmakers from North East are concerned more about the passion for films than profit. “Since it is a documentary on the environment I have to wait for a long time to record it. Around 10 lakhs is spent on the production of the film but I haven’t gotten monetary returns from it. I am getting a lot of kindness and appreciation, but no money”, he explained.
‘Investing Life’ is a film about survival: Vaishali Vasant Kendale
Recalling the message conveyed by the protagonist of his film Moirangthem Loiya, James Khangembam said that expectation of humans from nature never ends and this has to stop. He further detailed the events that lead to his transformation from a journalist to a filmmaker.
Vaishali Vasant Kendale, director of the Hindi documentary Investing Life’ said that her film is about the survival of all species including humans. “ Idea of the documentary is to talk about the actions to be carried out after unpredictable adverse situations rather than enquiring about the causes”, she added. The film follows the lives of three ordinary individuals from different localities in Maharashtra who work single-handedly and on a daily basis for the survival and welfare of fellow human beings, animals and the environment. The protagonists of ‘Investing Life’ Majid and Raghavendra Nande were also present on the occasion.
PIB MIFF Team | BSN/AA/DR/MIFF-21
| We believe good films go places through the good words of a film-lover like you. Share your love for films on social media, using the hashtags #AnythingForFilms / #FilmsKeLiyeKuchBhi and #MIFF2022. Yes, let’s spread the love for films! |
| Which #MIFF2022 films made your heart skip a beat or more? Let the world know of your favourite MIFF films using the hashtag #MyMIFFLove |
| If you are touched by the story, do get in touch! Would you like to know more about the film or the filmmaker? In particular, are you a journalist or blogger who wants to speak with those associated with the film? PIB can help you connect with them, reach our officer Mahesh Chopade at +91-9953630802. You can also write to us at [email protected]. |
| For the first post-pandemic edition of the festival, film lovers can participate in the festival online as well. Register for free as an online delegate (i.e., for the hybrid model) at https://miff.in/delegate2022/hybrid.php?cat=aHlicmlk The competition films can be watched here, as and when the films become available here. |
Disclaimer : This is an official press release by PIB.
