Paban's "Joseph ki Macha" I to premiere at Shanghai
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 03 2023: Eerily mirroring the ongoing ethnic tension in the state, "Joseph ki Ma-cha (Joseph's Son)", a nar-rative Manipuri feature film by award-winner filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar will have its world premiere at the 25th International Film Festival, 2023 in Shanghai, China on June 13.Based on the story penned by Sahitya Akademi awardee Sudhir Naoroibam, the film, which is Paban's third nar-rative feature film, is the lone Indian entry for the Golden Goblet Award section of the festival, which is set be held from June 9 to 18.In all, II films from different countries will also be screened during the festival.

"Joseph ki Macha" is cen-tred on the journey undertaken by a tribal man called Joseph searching for football-loving son, David, who goes missing during an ethnic conflict.

He (Joseph) enquires about his son to his (David) friends and on getting no information, goes to the police station for help.

The police informed that an unidentified body was lying in a morgue in Imphal, and advised Joseph to visit the morgue to identify whether it was his son or not.

Speaking to The People's Chronicle with regard to the film, Paban opined that the film will help in identifying the real incidents and effects brought on by ethnic violence.

He continued that Manipur, in addition to the Meitei com-munity, is inhabited by 35 different tribes each having their own language, culture and tradition.

At present, two communities are up against each other to protect their re-spective identity, land and for-ests.

The film also reflects the sufferings experienced by the people due to insurgency and ethnic conflicts, he conveyed.

Renowned folk singer Guru Rewben Mashangva plays the protagonist in the 83-minute long film.

The film is produced by National Film Development Corporation Limited with Oli Pictures as co-producer.

Tangkhul, Meitei, Thadou, Kuki and Rongmei languages are spoken throughout the film.

Guru Rewben Mashangva, director Haobam Paban Ku-mar and executive producer PP Math have been Invited to participate in the festival.

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