New Delhi, Jul 23: The 52-minute documentary film 'A cry in the dark' directed by Haobam Paban Kumar will be screened world premiere in the 31st Toronto International Film Festival from September 7 to 16.The Festival Bulletin says, "Four exhilarating titles from veteran and first-time Indian film makers will see their world premiere at the Festival.

Dedicated to bringing the most provocative international cinema to Toronto audiences, the Festival offers these titleseach of which explores significant social and political issues as among the most poignant contemporary film making from India, South Asia and the World." "India is a nation of different cultures and languages which make its cinema diverse, dynamic and exciting" says Noah Cowan, Festival Director.

"Films in Hindi, Marathi, Telegu and Manipuri will be here, along with several major world premieres from talented new film makers.

These 4 films demonstrates the impressive ran ge of Indian cinema, and we are thrilled to be part of its future." The four films are Kabir Khan's Kabul Express, a multilingual film starring John Abraham set in wartorn post 9/11 Afghanistan; Chitra Palekar's directorial debut 'A Grave Keeper's Tale' starring Nandita Das, a haunting story of a woman condemned to the fringes of her society based on the story Baayen (Witch) by Mahasweta Devi, Rajnesh Domalpally's 'Vanaja', a 15 year old dancer whose blossoming curiosities get her into a world of trouble; and Haobam Paban Kumar' 'A cry in the dark'.

'A cry in the dark' is to be screened under the Real to Reel Section of the Festival.

The synopsis of the film says, "When Manipur became a part of India in 1949, a large portion of the Manipuri population was resistant, believing the merger to be an illegal and illegitimate annexation.

To curb these 'separatists', the government imposed the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, allowing officers to not only conduct searches and arrests based on mere suspicion, but to shoot and kill at will.

This powerful documentary traces the heightening unrest of the Manipuri people after a 32 year old woman, taken from her home in 2004 by soldiers of the 17th Assam rifles, was found dead under suspicious circumstances.

Paban Kumar captures the numerous clashes and showdowns between unarmed protesters and the officers of the Assam Rifles, presenting an extraordinary look at abuses of authority and the fearless strength of an abused .' Paban Kumar says,' This film shows my personal feeling and accounts on the effect of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 which is in force in the State of Manipur.

It tells a journey from Kolkata to Imphal meeting the incidents of Manorama and Sharmila and back to Kolkata.' The film concludes with his statement I left for Kolkata leaving the never-ending cry for justice as India being the largest democratic country believes in majority and perhaps we people are minority.

The film is scripted and produced by the director himself under Oli Pictures.

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