Although it is a beautiful place, animated films are a great and powerful way to make a public voice heard by many viewers, said Debjani Mukherjee, Yangon Film School package package developer at MIFF 2022. He was speaking at the #MIFF 17th #tg. Program of Mumbai International Film Festival. James Khangembam, director of the documentary opening film ‘Meiram-The Fireline’, and Vaishali Vasant Kendale, director of the Hindi documentary ‘Investing Life’ also joined the discussion.
Debjani Mukherjee, an independent and award-winning independent filmmaker, has elaborated on her approach to coaching student films under the topics ‘gender-based violence’ and ‘friendship issues’. “We have recruited community students from a variety of religious, political, economic and religious backgrounds. They have no previous experience or art training or filmmaking. We worked for two to three months together to make cartoon documents. The students recorded audio stories of donors from the community and were converted into animated films ”, he added. Debjani also expressed confidence that forums such as the MIFF would help in better marketing and distribution of animated films.
James Khangembam, director of the documentary-opening film ‘Meiram-The Fireline’ said North East filmmakers are more concerned with filmmaking than with profit. “As it is a documentary about nature I have to wait a long time to record it. About 10 lakhs used for film production but I have not yet received a refund for it. I get a lot of kindness and gratitude, but there is no money, ”he explained.
Recalling the message conveyed by the main character of his film Moirangthem Loiya, James Khangembam said man’s expectations in nature do not end and this should stop. He also described in detail the events that led to his transition from being a journalist to a filmmaker.
Vaishali Vasant Kendale, director of the Hindi documentary ‘Investing Life’ said his film is about the survival of all species of animals including humans. “The idea of the documentary is to talk about actions that should be taken after unforeseen circumstances rather than asking about the causes,” he added. The film follows the lives of three ordinary people from different parts of Maharashtra who work alone and daily to live with human welfare, animals and nature. The characters of ‘Investing Life’ Majid and Raghavendra Nande were also present at the event.
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