Two Manipuri films screened at IFFI
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 25 2022: After leaving unattended for several years, a film made by first Manipuri director finally racks up international recognition at the prestigious IFFI, Porvorim on Friday.

For 21 years old Sapam Rajiv, grandson of the first Manipuri film director late SN Chand, it was his first time travelling outside Manipur when he landed in Goa to present his grandfather's film 'Brojendragee Luhongba' at the prestigious 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

'Brojendragee Luhongba' released in 1973 is the first film made by a Manipuri director.

Almost 50 years after its release and after being in a dilapidated condition for several years, the restored and digitised 'Brojendragee Luhongba' was screened Friday at INOX, Porvdrim for the international as well as national delegates of the festival.

In 2013-14, when Rajiv was still a kid, he would often pull out the prints of the film from the corroded canister containing the reels and wonder what his grandfather's him was like.

His constant thirst to watch the him was partially quenched when the restored and digitised 'Brojendragee Luhongba' was screened for public viewing on April 29, 2021 during the yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of Manipuri Cinema.

The last known public screening of the film was in 1986, 15 years before Rajiv was even born.

According to Rajiv, getting to watch the him for the first time last year was what aroused him to trace footprints of his late grandfather and properly document his contributions to Manipuri cinema.

"I feel privileged to present my grandfather SN Chand's film 'Brojendragee Luhongba' on his behalf.

Who would have thought I'd be watching the him, I often wonder how it was like as a child, on the big silver screen? This moment is of great joy and importance for me and also inspired me to take up film preservation and filmmaking," Rajiv said.

Had the preservation of Manipur's film heritage and archiving works been a little more delayed, even the first Manipuri feature film directed by a Manipuri could have been confined to its historical status only with the younger generations having hardly any access to the film.

Luckily, through the preservation efforts of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) under its SN Chand Cine Archives and Museum dedicated to the father of Manipuri cinema with assistance from Film Heritage Foundation, Mumbai, 'Brojendragee Luhongba' finally racked up international recognition at the 53rd IFFI.

Prior to the screening of 'Brojendragee Luhongba', Manipuri non-feature him 'The Silent Poet' directed by Borun Thokchom was shown.

Sapam Rajiv and Borun Thokchom among others were also felicitated ahead of the screening.

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