The Festival Director paid rich tribute to the pioneers of Manipuri cinema who have inspired a generation of storytellers of not only Manipur but of the entire country
KRC TIMES Manipur Bureau
Screening of Manipuri films under the Special Manipuri Cinema section titled “Golden Jubilee of Manipuri Cinema” featuring in the ongoing 53rd edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began on the 4th day of the festival on Wednesday with the screening of Manipuri films at Maquinez Palace-I, with an introduction by the Festival Director and Managing director of NFDS, Ravinder Bhaskar.
The Festival Director paid rich tribute to the pioneers of Manipuri cinema who have inspired a generation of storytellers of not only Manipur but of the entire country.
The Section was opened with the films – Ratan Thiyam The Man of Theatre directed by Oken Amakcham and Ishanou, directed by Aribam Syam Sharma. Oken Amakcham and Kangabam Tomba Singh, the male protagonist who was presented at the opening ceremony were felicitated with a shawl and memento each. MSFDS officials, Secretary, Sunzu Bachaspatimayum, and Executive member and Film Forum Manipur Chairman, Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma were also felicitated before the screening of the two films.
Other feature films featuring in the special Manipuri cinema section of the 53rd IFFI include the first film directed by a Manipuri “Brojendragee Luhongba” directed by S.N. Chand, “Loktak Lairembee” by Haobam Paban Kumar, first Manipuri film “Matamgi Manipur” directed by Debkumar Bose, “Phijigi Mani” directed by Oinam Gautam.
Meanwhile, in the non-feature category, films such as “Ilisha Amagi Mahao” directed by Ningthouja Lancha, “Look at the Sky” directed by Ashok Veilou, “The Silent Poet” directed by Borun Thokchom, and “The Tainted Mirror” directed by Romi Meitei will be screened in the coming days.
Prior to the screening of Manipuri films under the Golden Jubilee of Manipuri Cinema, the Manipuri documentary film “Beyond Blast” directed by Saikhom Ratan was screened at INOX, Panaji.
Director Saikhom Ratan and producer Konjengbam Sushila Leima of the film were honoured ahead of the screening.
Notably, this year’s edition of IFFI also recorded the highest number of delegates from Manipur, over 20 in number, with many filmmakers, critics, and officials coming for the film extravaganza.
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