SHILLONG: “For a region like our North East, cinema is in a way the art of storytelling. We have so many stories and we keep telling our stories. The art of storytelling is a must for development in any kind of society,” says Assamese filmmaker, Jahnu Barua.
He was speaking as the chief guest during the Muhurat of Khasi film, “Iewduh-Live your story” at Aurobindo Hall on Tuesday.
Observing that the North Eastern Region has so many stories that are still unexplored said, “If you have stories, it must be told. The outside world is not aware. It is our duty to tell our story. Because of stories our society has improved.”
Coming from a village, he expressed he had never dreamt of making films and to make it to festivals, forums and to travel all around the world with his films.
Barua said he did not look at the North Eastern region as individual states but called it the North East.
According to him, it is important for people to know their own identity, land, state, areas, culture as he pointed out questions of identity crisis has emerged.
He has put the onus of telling stories on the filmmakers. Barua has directed critically acclaimed movies such as Ajeyo, Baandhon, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara etc.