The dynamics of conflict in the North-East and its culture figured at an interaction with filmmakers of the region at the Biffes.
Sulankhyana Baruah (maker of Mishing , an 80-minute film in the Sherdukpen language) and Sunitha Kapoor (maker of Magi Matambkta , a 74-minute Manipuri film) underlined the need for preserving vanishing dialects, different cultures and traditions to protect cultural diversity. They expressed their discontent over the dominance of Hindi over other regional languages and dialects.
Mishing is, in fact, essentially an endeavour of preserving the Sherdukpen dialect of Arunachal Pradesh, which is on the verge of extinction. Less than 2,000 people now speak the language, she said. This film is based on a Sahitya Akademi award-winning work of Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi of the same title. She said that the media is only focussing on conflict. Films from the region are making an attempt to change this. “North-East is much more than what is being portrayed by mainstream media,” she said.
Kamakya Narayan Singh, director of Bhor (Hindi), argued that of late acceptability of the North-East in the mainstream has improved. “It is a slow process. The situation will change with the media focusing on the positive aspects of the region,” he said.
Conflict in Sri Lanka also figured during the discussion.
Anuruddha Jayasinghe, whose The Frozen Fire , which entered the mainstream category of Oscars 2019, said that his film deals with the conflict in the island country. He said that post 2000, many filmmakers back home are trying to narrate the story of the conflict-ridden country. “My film is about the story of the revolution that failed,” he said.
