100 Years of Chrysostum, a biographical documentary on Philipose Mar Chrysostum, the 102-year-old Metropolitan Emeritus of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, has entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest documentary.
The film is scripted and directed by award-winning filmmaker Blessy. According to Blessy, the 48.08-hour-long documentary has broken the world record of 21-hour-long Saudi Arabian documentary World of Snakes .
In a recent official communication, the Guinness authorities have informed Blessy about the inclusion of the documentary in their Book of World Records. They have issued a certificate too, making the announcement, online.
Blessy said it took seven days for the Censor Board of India to watch the movie before issuing the `U’ certificate.
Four-year effort
It took four years for Blessy and his crew to complete the documentary on the centenarian bishop.
“The film is an excellent presentation. Indeed an appreciable work. At times, it made me even envy myself,” Mar Chrysostum had said after watching a 90-minute section of the film at Blessy’s home a year ago.
Blessy had superbly woven real-life shots and anecdotes of Mar Chrysostum, who has become a ‘legendary grandpa’ of God’s Own Country, in the film.
Mar Chrysostum’s one-to-one interaction with 100 celebrities and 10 prominent cartoonists is a vital part in the documentary.
The voice-over by Mohanlal, music scored by M.Jayachandran, Stephen Devassy, and Saa, photography by Satheesh Kurup, and script by Blessy have made the film a perfect blend of art, music, and history.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, former President Pranab Mukherjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Najma Heptullah, Sitaram Yechury, Prakash Karat, K.J. Yesudas, K.S.Chitra, Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Suresh Gopi are among the celebrities with whom the Metropolitan had fruitful interactions in the film.
The film is produced by Blessy’s own company Visual Romance.
He is planning for a mega release of the documentary in June.
