Assamese Film Village Rockstars has been selected as India’s official entry in the foreign language film category at the Academy Awards in 2019. Directed by Rima Das, its the story of a group of children who live their lives to the fullest on minimal expenditure.
Here are 6 facts you should know about Village Rockstars.
1. Village Rockstars Won 65th National Film Awards of Best Film
The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Later this film grabbed the Best Feature Film ‘Swarna Kamal’ award at the 65th National Film Awards. Village Rockstars also won awards in three other categories: Best Child Artist, Best Location Sound Recordist and Best Editing.
2. The Director is a One Woman Army
Rima Das, the director of this movie, is a one-woman army. Besides being its director she is also the screenwriter, executive producer, editor, production designer and cinematographer. It took over three years to script ‘Village Rockstars’, and then shot over a period of 130 days. Its was shot on a handheld camera.
3. The Actors are actually Non-actors
Village Rockstars is a one-crew film. The surname of almost the entire cast is Das. The protagonist Dhunu (Bhanita Das) is played by Das’s niece. Bhanita Das has also been awarded a National Award. This makes her the first-ever Assamese child actor to receive this honour.
4. The Unique Filmmaking Style
In Village Rockstars, there are no crucial dramatic points that reveal something new or lead to an event or an action. The film refers to a certain kind of mood everyone gets in sometimes and creates its own rhythm. Assamese Film Village Rockstars won hearts with its simplicity.
5. Village Rockstars’ is the second Assamese feature film to win the National Award
The first Assamese Film which won the award was ‘Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai’. This film was directed by Jahnu Barua, which won the award 29 years ago.
6. A New Hope for Indian Independent Cinema
Village Rockstars bring a new hope for Indian independent cinema. The film represents a cultural category that is largely ignored by mainstream cinema and heralds a new chapter in the contemporary practice of serious filmmaking in India.
