‘Haanduk’, a Moran language film which won the national film award, will be screened at the 26th edition of Chichester International Film Festival in England. The film by young Assamese filmmaker Jaicheng Jai Dohutia is made in the backdrop of insurgency in an Upper Assam village in early 1990s.

Haanduk, which means Hidden Corner in Moran language, is based on the trauma and torture faced by the villagers during the peak years of insurgency in Assam and this film will be one of the 150 films from 35 countries to be screened at the festival which starts from August 10. These 150 films were selected from around 6,000 entries.

“After the national award, this is one of the best moments we had. This will give us a wider platform across the globe. This is an honour for us and will motivate to work more,” Jaicheng told The News Mill. The film was made in the banner of Mayamara Productions.

The 90-minute film, made in Assamese and Moran languages, depicts the tale of a family that has lost a member who had gone to join an insurgent group. It was mainly shot in Tongana Maaj Gaon, Tinsukia, Digboi, Margerita, Ledo and in some parts of Arunachal Pradesh.

Earlier, the film won the national award as best Moran language film. It was also honoured at the Mami Mumbai Film Festival last year.

Interestingly, all the actors in the film, including the protagonist, are making their debut with the film. A 60-year-old Bandoi Chetia, who played the protagonist, is a daily wage earner in the village whom the director spotted when he had visited the places for location.

“I was looking for some fresh faces and also which can be very raw. I spotted her when we went searching for locations. It helped me to a great extend in portraying the raw emotions of a harsh reality. She was already leading a very tough life and expression of pain and agony came to her naturally,” Dohutia added.

The other actors are also from similar background.

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About Abdul Gani

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Abdul Gani is a Guwahati-based journalist