Assamese film Bridge by Kripal Kalita won a special jury mention award at the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which was held in Goa from January 16 to 24.
The film, both produced and directed by Kripal Kalita, depicts the struggles of a woman living by the Brahmaputra riverbank in rural Assam. It revolves around the devastating flood problem.
An independent filmmaker, Kalita has taken mostly newcomers as crew and cast for the film. The sound design of the film has been done by Amrit Pritam Dutta.
Shiva Rani Kalita plays the main role of ‘Jonaki’ in the film. Partha Pratim Bora, Anindita Das, Swapnil Nath, Kripal Kalita, Gopmoni Gogoi, Rohini Kumar Deka, Dhanjit Sharma, Sachindra Bhuyan, Bhupen Sharma and Dwipen Chutia are the other actors.
“Many artistes in the film faced the camera for the first time. They were chosen from different villages of the State and trained to act. Shots for the film were taken on the riverbank of Dhakuakhana and its nearby villages and in Jonai, Pabitora and several places of Guwahati,” Kalita said.
“The film was shot in a real flood situation in Assam with limited resources. Some scenes depicting people braving the floodwaters have also been used in the film,” Kalita added.
