Heart to Heart, Songs of Mashangva, The Zeliangrongs, hit bull's eye
State film makers live up to billing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 19 2011: Carrying on the torch of creativity and keeping up with the recent trend, three films made in Manipur have hit the bull's eye at the 58th National Film Awards, 2010, with Bachaspatimayum Sunzu's 'Heart to Heart' and Oinam Doren's 'Songs of Mashangva' bagging best non-feature film awards.

Yet another non-feature film, 'The Zeliangrongs' directed by Haobam Ronel received a special mention at the film award ceremony.

Before announcing the awards today afternoon at New Delhi, the jury members met Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni and placed the list of awardees for both feature and non-feature films before her.

Besides Sunzu and Doren's films, Haobam Ronel's ' The Zeliangrongs' received 'Special Mention' award.

While 'Heart to Heart' has been selected for the best non-feature film on science and technology, 'Songs of Mashangva' has caught similar prize for the best ethnographic film.

Directors and producer of both the films will get Rs 50,000 each.

"I am really happy that my film has been selected for the best science and technology award.

Since I'm the first to get the award in this category in the State I am happier," Sunzu said .

Haobam Ronel

'Heart to Heart' is produced by Rotary Club of Imphal and it's the name of the project that the club is undertaking to give free open heart surgery to correct congenital heart defects in kids from poor economic background, Sunzu said.

"This is my fourth National Award in just two years and I would like to describe myself as a storyteller telling stories with moving images," Sunzu also a television journalist added.

The citation inscribed on 'Heart to Heart' describes that the film is a very well constructed reality with an engaging dramatic sensibility that depicts the grimness of natural health maladies.

"It guides the viewer through emotions and playful spirit of the child.

With the help of medical science, it enlightens the viewer with awareness of Congenital Heart Defect and its promising treatment," it added.

For Doren's ' Songs of Mashangva' the citation says "An insightful foray into the complex and layered life of a 'song' and all that it carries within it for a community.

It inquires into the shared critical history of a community in the specific context of an over arching missionary presence and how it has affected their lives.

The jury appreciates it for the courageous, yet poetic exploration of the subject from the ethnographic perspective ".

The citation for Ronel's ' The Zeliangrongs' says that it is a well researched endeavour to reflect a composite group of ethnic community of common origin and socio-cultural back-ground, which highlights the rich cultural heritage and the tribes' traditional way of life, which is on the brink of extinction.