'Joseph ki Macha' to compete at SIFF 2023
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 09 2023:
Haobam Paban Kumar's latest Manipuri feature film, 'Joseph ki Macha' (Joseph's Son) is set to premiere in the biggest international film festival of Asia and the longest running in-ternational film festival of China, the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) 2023.In a release, Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) secretary Sunzu Bachaspatimayum said that this time, Paban's 83-minute film on the fear and uncertainty of life in Manipur, devastated by armed conflict and eth-nic divide, did Manipuri cinema proud by being Indian's lone entry to the main competition section of the 25th SIFF 2023, to be held from June 9 to 18 in China'sbiggest city and global financial hub.
Co-produced by Na-tional Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and Paban's own production firm, Oli Picture, 'Jo-seph's Son' is based on a short story by Sudhir Naoroibam, a Sahitya Akademi Award winner.
The story revolves around Joseph, played by Gum Rewben Mashangva and his search for his missing son through a landscape of dismal and turmoil.
The secretary informed that the film will compete with 11 other international films for the prestigious Golden Goblet Award 2023.It is set for world premiere on June 13 at the Shanghai Film Centre as part of the film festi-val.
Along with director H Paban, Guru Rewben Mashangva and executive producer of the film PP Math have been invited to attend the festival.
MSFDS also conveyed that H Paban is a nomi-nated executive member of the Society who has repeatedly grabbed in-ternational attention with his reel stories of Manipur.
'Joseph ki Macha' is his third Manipuri feature film.
Each of his earlier films earned critical acco-lades in the festival circuits of the world.
He debuted with Loktak Leirembi' or Lady of the Lake.
His second production is 'Nine Valley One Valley'.
The Society congratu-lated H Paban Kumar on his latest achievement in taking contemporary Manipuri story to the in-ternational audience and drawing world attention to Manipuri and Indian Cinema.