SHILLONG:
In light of the recent controversy over who will represent Meghalaya at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France, filmmaker Nicholas Kharkongor, on May 4, decided to pull his name out of the event.
Earlier, on May 4, it was revealed that he, along with Commander Shangpliang, President of the Meghalaya Filmmakers Association, would be representing the state, as part of an exposure trip and to enhance their understanding of global cinemas.
Kharkongor, now based in Mumbai, was also to screen his short film, Ka Dewlynnong (The Island), which was shot entirely in Meghalaya. Actors Albert Mawrie, Elizer Bareh and Sweety Pala, among others acted in the film.
“This film is close to my heart and I am very proud of it. Working with such talented actors has indeed been an honour for me,” he said.
The short was produced by Sohum Shah Films, makers behind modern cult classics, The Ship of Theseus and Tumbbad. While the former won the national award for best feature film in 2013, the latter was the first Indian film to be premiered in the critics’ week section at the 75th International Film Festival in 2018.
His short is part of an anthology of films from across the country and is scheduled to be screened at the India Pavilion, and in festivals that will select Ka Dewlynnong going forward.
On his future plans vis-à-vis cinema of Meghalaya, he said, “I will continue to try and make films here and use actors from the state in mainstream projects from Mumbai.”
Expressing hope that he will be able to represent the state in the future, he added, “I hope to get the chance and honour to represent Meghalaya another time.”
Notably, people of the state were quick to notice that the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Meghalaya, had initially proposed the names of national award-winning filmmakers, Pradip Kurbah and Dominic Sangma, to represent the state at the prestigious event, but later saw the names of Shangpliang and Kharkongor when the final list was released.
Amid speculation that the names of Shangpliang and Kharkongor were proposed by Vijay Kumar, Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Information and Public Relation commented she was unaware how this situation developed in the first place and has sought a report on the matter.
Lyngdoh said that the invitation was sent by the centre to the state government and a communication was sent to the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) to send the names of two representatives from Meghalaya to the Cannes Film Festival.
“But before the department had finalised the names, the Ministry themselves through whatever source had decided the names of two individuals to represent the state of Meghalaya,” the Minister said.
She said that the government would have wanted to send more people but that was not possible since only two could go.
Lyngdoh said that the government had to decide whether film makers themselves will go or they would be represented by someone who has already conducted a film festival in the state.
“We wanted to send film makers but the Ministry has already got two names of two individuals who likely participated actively in the recent film festival that was held in Meghalaya.
She also appealed to all even as she added that opportunity will be given to everyone.
The IPR Minister also said that the prerogative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting can’t be done away with since they are the ones sponsoring these individuals.
“If the names have come from the Ministry we have to accept it and send these two individuals because the state will be given an opportunity to be represented in such a famed event,” she said.
Lyngdoh also said that the names have come from the Ministry and how they generated those names and where they generated the names from is beyond the capacity of the state government.
She said that the government is happy that at least Meghalaya has been asked to send two individuals to represent it in the Cannes Film Festival.
“The result we must focus on. Two of our people are going and that is going to be an opportunity of a lifetime,” Lyngdoh added.