Our Correspondent
Kohima, Dec. 5 (EMN): The two-day-long Glocal Hornbill International Film Festival began on Thursday with the screening of ‘Axone’ film directed by Nicholas Kharkongor, along with other films.
The minister for Planning & Co-ordination, Land Revenue & Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu addressed the event. In his address, he pointed out that the neighbouring state of Assam and Manipur are ahead when it comes to filmmaking.
Nonetheless, he said there is a new beginning for Nagaland and it too can ‘catch up with them in this field.’ Apart from offering humour, sadness and inspiration, he said movies educate people, which is the most important thing.
Of all the events, the minister thought that the film festival was “interesting” and appreciated the effort of the organisers. He said the Nagas are rich in culture and tradition.
Also, the director of the Information and Public Relations (IPR) Limawati Aier said that films can tell stories of the Naga people to the world, and can portray their positive aspects. Filmmaking is the door to opportunities of employment too, he said, adding that the Nagas are talented, creative and have the capability to perform at the national and international arenas.
The director of ‘Axone,’ Kharkongor, said the screening of the film is “a big homecoming” for him as well as for Nagaland. He said Axone is the first Hindi film with a north-eastern theme and north-eastern actors.
Although Axone is yet to hit the theatres, it is being screened at various film festivals including the London Film Festival, Mumbai Film Festival, and now in Nagaland.
During an interaction, Akshay from Sare Gama, producer of the film, said, “As mainland Indian, we can watch the movie and reflect ourselves because lots of acts which are projected as racist taunts are often done unintentionally, we decided to take up the movie because we like to work with unique projects.”
Other films that were screened on the first day of the event included Change of Plan, S-He, Midnight Error, Enemy of the State etc. On Dec. 6, the screening is set to begin at 11 am with ‘Short Film from the NE Region’ as the first film.
The film festival is organised by the Information & Public Relations in association with the Eastern Art Council.
Inputs from the IPR
Axone follows a day in the life of a group of north-easterners in Delhi through a wedding, a feast, and a landlord-tenant clash making up the quintessential Northeast Indian experience in the big city.
The film premiered at the London Film Festival in early October.
“We had full houses at the London Film Festival and the Indians there said it resonated with them, because when they first came to London and would cook curry, it would smell and get them into trouble,” said Kharkongor while interacting with the viewers.
The viewers were full of appreciation for the movie. On being queried about the possibility of a sequel, Nicholas said, “It’s important that the film does well to take up the next chapter because at the end of the day for ‘Bombay’ it’s all about the commercial success.”
It has been carefully thought out not to make it propaganda when aired in cities like Mumbai and Delhi, Kharkongor added.
“As mainland Indian, we can watch the movie and reflect ourselves because lots of acts which are projected as racist taunts are often done unintentionally. We decided to take up the movie because we like to work with unique projects,” said Akshay from Sare Gama.