By Sanjoo Thangjam
Imphal, April 19:
Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) complex, Palace Gate, Imphal have ended its eight-say inaugural programme. However, on its conclusion day some events were held though.
First, as part of the series of discussion held on Manipuri cinema during the programme, films producers, namely Ranjit Ningthouja, Ojit Babu and Linthoi Chanu were called upon as panelists and producer Premjit Naoroibam as moderator for the topic on a Cine Dialogue on “Sustainable Producing for the New Audience”.
The moderator Premjit Naoroibam opined that the present trend felt as if the second generation is also slowly disappearing and further bewailed that in today’s generation there is no audience for cinema.
As per the reports given by the organisers, even if the eight-day inaugural programme has ended, there will still be continuation of various events in different parts of the state throughout the year so as to to mark 50th years of Manipuri cinema.
During the discussion hour, , Ojit Babu said that unlike many Korean movies or serials even if some Manipuri films have received international fame, still the Manipur audience or otherwise for such films is still confined to intellectuals only.
Talking about local audiences, he said that there were lots of viewers in the celluloid era as there were not many Manipuri films produced. The Manipuri cinema also has a large number of viewers in the second phase that began around 2002 and film production also gained momentum. But, there were some issues like lack of quality and hardly any guidance from the pioneers. Subsequently, the second phase also saw a decline in viewership, he added.
Ojit Babu said that one needs to be independent in order to ensure sustainable production for the new audience and simultaneously said that the artistes should also be ahead of the common people in their vision
Ranjit Ningthouja also shared his experienced and lamented that in today’s fast changing world, time and some factors are required to build a platform factors which needs to be taken into consideration for a sustainable audience. Nonetheless, the cinema halls should be upgraded with various facilities for the new audience.
He said that for such steps, it requires collective wisdom by conducting various events. Such as workshops and seminars,etc.He also said that the initiative taken up – such as Cine Dialogue is a major step towards realising the goal to capture the new audience.
Linthoi Chanu contended that there will be market expansion if the films are dubbed or produced in major languages like English or Hindi. However, documentary filmmaker Amar Maibam amongst others opposed the same saying that it will downplay the essence of being a Manipuri cinema.
Failure to timely tackle the changing scenario and threats come with it is posing serious challenges in sustaining Manipuri cinema. Whether Manipuri cinema will be able to sustain with OTT platforms is also uncertain as we have to use technologies that are at par with the global level. We have to be cautious and take urgent steps to sustain Manipuri cinema as it is already late, he said.
He also broached blending both commercial value as well as award value in Manipuri cinema to attract viewers.
Later, The First Leap and the acclaimed Loktak Lairembee, both directed by Haobam Paban Kumar were screened followed by interactions.
