Two Northeast films get world premieres

TORONTO: On Friday, the day films are traditionally released in cinemas, a young director walked on stage in a Toronto theatre to applause from the audience.

What set this movie apart was that the film was in Assamese, set in a rural quarter of the state, and had just had its world premiere at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

Village Rockstars is director Rima Das’ sophomore project. But hers was not the only film on the Northeast that premiered at the festival — Mumbai-based Paakhi Tyrewala’s Pahuna: The Little Visitors, her debut feature, is entirely set in Sikkim.

With these films, both Assam and Sikkim made their maiden entry into TIFF, and the festival offered a glimpse into the life in a region that is often overlooked.

Das was pleased at the distinction of making a bit of history for her state and the presence of the region at the festival.

Das grew up in Chhaygaon village, 58 km from Guwahati. After her debut feature, The Man with the Binoculars, and moving to Mumbai, she returned to Chhaygaon to make a film that’s a “tribute” to the village’s inhabitants, and a “very personal story” about the aspirations of a young girl.

Tyrewala’s movie was made by Priyanka Chopra’s Purple Pebble Pictures, and she made it clear that the production house plans on showcasing regional diversity. “The cast and many of the technicians are from Sikkim, making Pahuna a truly Sikkimese film. What makes this more significant is that this is the first Sikkimese film ever. So this bodes well, not only for us, but also towards the growth of the Sikkimese film industry...,” she said.