Footprints on Water, director Nathalia
Syam’s critically acclaimed film, was awarded the Best Feature Film at the
eighth edition of Brahmaputra Valley Film Festival (BVFF) which concluded at
Jyoti Chitraban in Assam capital city Guwahati recently.
The film, starring Adil Hussain of
English Vinglish fame, is about an underground community of illegal immigrants,
who yearn for a better life in United Kingdom.
Regardless of the initial promise, protagonist
Raghu and his family grapple with shared accommodations, illicit visas, and
meager wages. Raghu, entangled in debt, compromises his values working for a
fraudulent solicitor, leading to a groom being chosen for his daughter Meera.
Meanwhile, the day commenced with a sombre
condolence prayer dedicated to the memory of late veteran actor Jayanta Das,
who left for heavenly abode on the night of December 16.
Reflecting on this loss, founder and
festival director Tanushree Hazarika expressed, “Today is a mournful day for
all of us, as we bid farewell to the region’s beloved Jayanta Das. His
indelible contributions to Assamese cinema and his unwavering dedication will
be fondly remembered by fans and well-wishers.”
The final day of the festival was
brimming with captivating cinematic showcases, enlightening masterclasses, and
engaging discussions that listed the festival’s commitment to encouraging cinematic
excellence and fostering meaningful dialogue within the film community.
An enthralling Cinematic Showcase,
featuring Harshad Nalawade’s thought-provoking film Follower, set the tone for the
day.
Following this was the screening of
director Haobam Paban Kumar’s impactful feature film Nine Hills One Valley,
which captivated the audience with its compelling narrative.
Renowned filmmaker Prakash Jha, an
esteemed figure in the Indian film industry, graced the festival with his
presence and led a masterclass session, providing cinema enthusiasts with
invaluable insights into the craft of filmmaking.
Later, he got engaged in a stimulating
discussion on Exploring Sociopolitical Narratives and Filmmaking Craft with BVFF
founder and festival director Tanushree Hazarika.
In the evening, a riveting discussion on
Crafting Authentic Narratives unfolded, featuring esteemed panelists Adil
Hussain and Nathalia Syam, moderated by Asha Kuthari Chaudhuri.
The insightful conversation was followed
by the screening of Footprints on Water, offering audiences a profound
cinematic experience.
The festival showcased documentary film Ladakh
470 by director Shivam Singh Rajput, based on the Kargil Vijay Diwas 2022 run
by Sufiya Sufi Runner.
BVFF Awards Ceremony
The Lifetime Achievement Award was
bestowed upon veteran actress Mridula Baruah. She is known for her diverse
roles in Assamese films like Marami (1978), Upapath (1980), Bowari (1982), Koka Deuta
Nati Aru Hati (1983), Abartan (1993), Tumi Mur Mathu Mur (2000), Barood (2004),
Gun Gun Gaane Gaane (2002), Raghav (2023) and many others.
The Best Director for Feature Film award
went to Manoj Shinde for his Marathi language feature film Valli.
The film is about a Goa farmer, who was
served a punishment for beating up a fellow villager. It essays the story of Mattu,
who had to deal with social humiliation and a financial burden.
The Best Short Film award went to Ronal
Hussain’s film Sneakers. The short film is about the journey of a riverboat
operator, who is coerced by militants to transport them to the distant jungle
for the execution of a supposed government informer.
The Best Documentary Film award went to Mask
Art Of Majuli directed by Utpal Borpujari. The documentary is about the
500-year-old mask-making tradition in Majuli river island.
The award ceremony marked a fitting
conclusion to a week-long celebration of creativity and cinematic excellence.
NE Watch Desk
