Salesian’s Movie Hits International Film Festivals

ICNS
KOCHI, December 15, (ICNS): A movie that a Salesian priest made has been applauded as one of the best movies made on the displaced people, particularly tribals, in India.Father Joseph Pulinthanath movie Yarwng (roots) is selected for the 13 International Film Festival of Kerala. It is one of the five movies listed for screening under the “Indian Movie Today” section. The festival runs Dec. 12 to 19.
The movie was also screened the recently concluded International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa. Minister for information and external affairs Anand Sharma lauded the Salesian’s movie as "the best film of India" while opening the Goa festival.
The minister lauded the 95-minite movie’s social commitment and said it was “best film” on the life of displaced tribal people in northeast India's Tripura state. Made in the tribal Kokborok language with English subtitles the moive is based on the life of people without adequate compensation because of developemental projects.
An estimated 60,000 tribal people in 12,000 families were displaced in 1976 when a hydropower project was completed across the Gomati River in Tripura. It submerged 46.34 square kilometers, most of the arable land in the valley of the otherwise hilly state. The government compensated only 2,560 families.
Father Pulinthanath explained that his film takes a sympathetic look at the uprooted people. The displacement that occurred more than 30 years ago moved him, he said, because the issue remains so widespread and universal.
The priest added that when the movie was released on Sept. 4 in Tripura, two state ministers praised it as an attempt by the Catholic Church to promote indigenous culture and language. According to Salesian Father Kizhakkechenndu J. Joseph, the film's producer, the movie indirectly promotes the Kokborok language. Hindu fanatics have been accusing the Church of destroying local culture, but the movie is a solid case of promoting it.
The film was shot in less than a month but two more months were needed to finish production. Father Joseph also noted that about half the total cost -- 2.7 million rupees (US$54,000) -- was from international Catholic entities, and the rest was raised locally. "People lent us money," he said. "They wanted the movie to see its day. It took four years to collect sufficient funds."
Besides money, physical risks were also a concern, he continued, because the 60-member crew filmed on location, four hours into the jungle. "We have been faithful to the lifestyle of the people and managed with the bare minimum."
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