In a move to know and understand the life and the work of filmmakers of Manipur, the Film Society of Manipur (FSM) is all set to organize the first-ever online celebration of Manipuri cinema from August 31 to September 26,2020, according to FSM sources.
Manipur’s prominent filmmakers – Dr Makhonmani Mongsaba, Laimayum Surjakanta Sharma, Ningthoucha Lancha and Sunzu Bachaspatimayum will take part in the 1st edition of the online celebration from August 31.
Dr Makhonmani’s two award-winning films‘Chatledo Eidi (2000)’ and ‘Magi Matambakta (2018)’ will be available online for a week followed by a talk.
Similarly, filmmaker Laimayum Surjakanta’s films- Meiree (1998) and Nongju Ahing (2002), Ningthoucha Lancha’s short film Masangtheigee Mang (2001) and a full-length video film – Mami Sami (2008), Sunzu Bachaspatimayum’s award-winning documentaries – Heart to Heart (2010) and Shingnaba (2008) will also be available online during the celebration.
National awardee Dr Makhonmani’s other films – Yenning Amadi Likla (2007) participated in the International Film Festival of India 2007 in Indian Panorama Section, Nangna Kappa Pakchade (2013) in Delhi International Film Festival 2014 and Ladakh International Film festival 2014 and Magi Matambakta (2018) in Bengaluru International Film Festival 2018 and Third Eye Asian Film Festival, Mumbai (2020) while Surjakanta,a well-known cinematographer, is also the producer of two feature films, a director of four feature films, a cinematographer of 14 feature films and an editor of 13 feature films and an audiographer of 10 feature films
On the other hand Lancha’s fiction films – Nongdi Tarakkhidre (2003) and Illisa Amagi Mahao (2008) were selected for International Film Festival of India in Indian Panorama Section in the year 2004 and 2009 respectively.
On every Monday, two important works of a filmmaker will be made available online free for a week and exclusive live talk with the filmmaker at the weekend.
Any film enthusiast can take part in this event free with the registration in advance.
FSM earlier planned to conduct the event chronologically from the earliest film to the latest film of Manipuri cinema.
But due to non-availability of the films and poor archiving in the state the festival had to be deferred for almost a month.
It also invited everyone to check the FaceBook page of the Film Society of Manipur for the event.