From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: London Film Festival (LFF) in March 2013 has selected award winning Assamese film – ‘Laaj’ (Shame) directed by celebrated Assamese filmmaker Manju Borah who has also been invited to attend this event.
There are a number of great films lined up and some talents from Bollywood and beyond will be attending, including the renowned actress and woman activist Shabana Azmi and historian Bhawana Somaya amongst others.
This year LFF will continue beyond borders theme with exciting films from USA, India, Kashmir, Sri Lanka, Assam, Pakistan and Britain.
The festival includes screenings, master classes and networking events from 7 to 17 of March 2013.
This year’s LFF is especially focusing on the journey of cinema through the past 100 years and the global appeal of Indian cinema. Big screening will be held on the 7th March is at the British Film Institute Southbank.
About ‘Laaj’
Notwithstanding the adoption of the pious and solemn universal declaration of human rights meant to be emulated by all nations which refers to the “equal and inalienable human rights of all members of the human family”, in the developing countries of the world even now the rich continues to grow richer while the poor becomes poorer, the misery and distress of this strata of people who have never tasted the basic necessities of life, are universal, lack of basic education has resulted in explosive birth rates.
Ila, the protagonist of ‘Laaj’ is the representative of such a society, with tremendous desire for education she is constantly struggling to continue with her studies and comes to terms with the real cruel realities.
Ila, is not a segregated character, her character brings to light the poverty, neglect, reproach, denial, unhappiness and frustration of the poor society of fishermen which speaks for the other similar circumstances of human race.
Ila is the symbol of the unshed tears of the poor hapless villagers. Faced with Ila’s helpless situation one wonders, “why do human suffer so? The shame which Ila feels at not wearing an underwear, is in reality, whose shame, anyway?”
About Manju Borah
Manju Borah is a story-teller turned film maker. She depicts the socio-cultural issues through celluloid.
A student of philosophy, she narrates the many faces of life and presents it with realistic approach.
Born in Assam, she writes short stories exploring the indigenous culture and its impact on the person and community as a whole through her characters.
Her articles on various issues are based on her continuous research works and are truly thought provoking
Manju served as Jury Member, Indian Panorama, IFFI 2007, 10th MAMI International Film Festival 2008 and 3rd Eye 7th Asian Film Festival Mumbai 2008, 55th National Film Awards for 2007 (Feature Films) Delhi 2009.
She is a proud recipient of Senior Fellowship from the Central Ministry of Culture for the year 2005-2007 on her work associated with women oriented folklore of Assam.
She has been awarded Women of Excellence Award by FICCI for outstanding contribution in the field of Film & Entrepreneurship in the year 2009.
She has been recently selected for the Satyajit Ray Memorial Award in 2012 by the Third Eye Asian Film Festival of Mumbai.
At present, she is the Chairperson of Oscars committee, India.