Anuparna Roy has achieved a remarkable feat, making history as the first Indian director to win the Orizzonti Award at the Venice Film Festival for her debut film, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’. Her emotional acceptance speech underscored the significance of this moment, especially given her humble origins in a tribal village in West Bengal.
Roy’s journey is unconventional, deviating from the typical path of acclaimed Bengali filmmakers. She started her career in an IT call centre before saving for years to self-fund her first short film. Her path to Venice was marked by boldness, including a direct approach to producer Ranjan Singh, who was eventually persuaded by her vision and the film’s potential, even securing support from director Anurag Kashyap.
‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ is set in Mumbai and tells the story of two women, Thooya and Swetha, from different walks of life who form an intimate bond. The film has been lauded for its subtle exploration of urban alienation and its honest portrayal of female relationships and survival. Roy’s directorial style, characterized by long takes and an observational approach, aims to capture the authenticity of her characters’ lives.
Deeply personal, the film draws inspiration from Roy’s own grandmother and childhood friends, weaving in themes of social and political commentary. Roy emphasizes that personal experiences are inherently political, citing societal pressures and inequalities that influenced her upbringing and continue to shape her filmmaking. She remains committed to creating cinema that reflects the realities of the world, even when uncomfortable.
Roy’s presence at the festival was also a statement of her personal and political convictions. She chose to wear a handloom saree, designed with motifs from her native Purulia and the colours of the Palestinian flag, as a symbol of solidarity. Despite facing some social media criticism, she stands by her decision to use her platform to address uncomfortable truths.
Looking ahead, Roy plans to develop sequels and prequels to ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ but has firmly stated she will not make conventionally commercial films, preferring to create cinema that mirrors the complexities of real life.
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