First Rongmei film in International Folklore Film Fest

Our Correspondent

Imphal, Feb. 20 (EMN): A 120-minute long feature film titled “Nakamh-Riangsuanneic” became the first censored Rongmei film to be premiered worldwide during the International Folklore Film Festival of Kerala 2021.

Rongmei filmmaker Kachangthai Gonmei, who directed, scripted, edited and produced the film, confirmed it.

The said film has also been selected in the competition section of the International Folklore Film Festival of Kerala 2021 which is underway at Peyynur in Kerala.

The film, which received the censor certificate from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on February 13, 2020, was among nine films selected in the competition section of the three-day long festival organised by the Kerala Folklore Academy, Chirakkal.

Based on Rongmei Naga folklore, the film tells the story of an orphan named Nikamh, who lives in Makuailuangdih village in the western part of Manipur. Nikamh ends up marrying gorgeous and skilful weaver Riangsuanneic, the daughter of a rich man who lives in the same village. Later Nikamh dies in ‘the war of love’.

Kachangthai Gonmei and Achngna Kamei play the lead roles in the film. L Hemanta and Ashing Thaimei were behind the camera, Joseph Gonmei scored the music.

On selection of the film for the festival and world premiere, Kachangthai Gonmei said, ‘the credit goes to all those in the villages of our region who extended the help and support in making and producing the film’ and thanked the civil organisations.

The 38-year-old filmmaker, who is also a singer at All India Radio and loves tribal folk tales and music, has directed and produced five other Rongmei films namely “San Khou Rui De”, “Baanhthi Baanhnam”, “Baanhthi Baanhnam 2”, “Nagta Na de Zeanmei” and “Puinau Puidaa”, which won jury award in 2018 at an event organised by SSS Manifa in Manipur.

Well-known film critic Meghachandra Kongbam, who is the president of the Film Society of Manipur, said that ‘it is a very proud moment for Manipuris that the first Rongmei feature film has entered an international Festival held in Kerala. We all know that the Rongmei community has a very rich culture, custom and tradition’.

Terming the director of the film a very talented person, Meghachandra, said, ‘he is the torch bearer of Rongmei Cinema. I hope that we will see more of his creativity in Rongmei cinema.’