With the evolving generation of enthusiastic filmmakers, who are focusing on reviving the different cultures and ethnicity, regional movies are now at par with the mainstream film industry. One of the promising filmmakers, Haobam Paban’s Lady of the Lake (2016) is one such example. The original Manipuri title for this is ‘Loktak Lairembee’.
Lady of the Lake was always meant to be a movie but later it took the shape of a documentary. The story revolves around a fishing community of Manipur who managed their two ends meet with a humble livelihood on a floating village amidst the Loktak Lake. The backdrop to this story is the real-life intervention by the local government in 2011 where several homes were destroyed and destituted the villagers. But, in the hustle and turmoil, the home of Tomba and his wife were spared. Tomba, now scared by this mass destruction is catatonic about his powerlessness and finds his empowerment in a gun. His personality changes, but for the worse. The main casts of the movie, Ningthoujam Sanatomba and Sagolsam Thambalsang’s on-screen presence was kept realistic and is appreciated by the critics and audience.
The movie made its World Premiere in the category of Asian New Currents (Competition Section) at the 21st Busan International Film festival, 2016. It had its European Premiere at the 67th Berlin Film Festival in 2017. It has won awards that include:
• Golden Gateway Award (for the Best Indian Film) at the 18th Mumbai Film Festival, 2016 (MAMI).
• It was also selected in the Indian Panorama at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa.
• The film won the NETPAC Award at the 22nd Kolkata International Film Festival, 2016.
• Special Jury Award at the 15th Pune International Film Festival, 2017.
• National Film Award for the Best Film on Environment Conservation, 2016; and the count goes on.
With such creative minds and the charismatic display of characters, North East India is indeed hopeful to touch new heights in the times to come.
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