Visual pollution riles Manipuri film-maker Haobam Paban Kumar
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Visual pollution riles Manipuri film-maker Haobam Paban Kumar Udita Jhunjhunwala
Manipuri film-maker Haobam Paban Kumar’s Lady of the Lake (Loktak Lairembee) had its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. This was followed by a screening at the Mumbai Film Festival, where Lady of the Lake, which features non-professional artistes from around Loktak lake, won the top Golden Gateway prize. Kumar, 40, graduated in computer science, but found his interest in film-making and storytelling growing. He joined the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and went on to make accomplished, award-winning documentaries. Lady of the Lake is his first feature film. Edited excerpts from a conversation: What scope is there for regional language independent cinema? Are you hoping for Lady of the Lake to get a theatrical release? We are trying to tell our stories through our films and through film festivals. The problem with regional language cinema is that it’s very difficult to get theatrical releases outside the home state. I am not expecting a pan-India release, but I will try to release it in Manipur. Unfortunately, the condition of our theatres is really bad. Multiplexes have not yet to come to Imphal and only two old single screens are surviving . People mostly watch content on cable, digital and mobiles. Plus, ever since Hindi films were banned in Manipur, even the number of Hollywood films releasing here has declined. Only Manipuri films release here, and mostly for the local video market. Fortunately, documentary film-making is very much alive. How much do film festivals help? Lady of the Lake was first in NFDC’s Film Bazaar Co-Production Market and then in the Work in Progress Lab. It took five years to make the feature because of the lack of funds and also because I was making the documentary. The Work in Progress Lab is an
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