Imphal: Khwairakpam Bishwamittra’s short fiction film- Eewai (Ripple) has been officially selected in the 4th Nepal Cultural International Film Festival 2022 to compete with 21 foreign films and three Indian films for the Best International Short Film Award.
One film each from Belgium, Cambodia, Germany, Poland, Nepal/ USA, Iran, South Africa, Ukraine, Lebanon, Cameron, Armenia, Sudan, China, Japan, Turkey, Canada, Italy, Hungary, Greece, United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh, and four films from India are in the competition.
Festival authority says that 72 films from 34 countries for 15 different awards of the best feature film, documentary film, short film, animation film, women film, children film, human rights film and environment film in the international category and the best feature film, documentary film, short film, women film, children film, cultural film and environment film in the national category have been selected.
The festival will be held for three days from December 8 to 10, 2022 at Kathmandu where guests, delegates and the audience will be able to enjoy the grand inaugural ceremony, closing award ceremony, some panel discussions, and Masterclasses along with screenings of nominated films.
The 23-minute film tells the agony of a mother whose little child dies untimely. In the Meitei community of Manipur, a child who dies before he attains the age of 3 years is considered a bad omen to the family and all customary post-mortal ceremonies are deprived. But, for a mother, her child shall always be her child without considering the age. The film reflects the suppressed emotions and feelings of a mother.
Since time immemorial, there is a strong belief among the Meitei community that the spotted doves often seen taking food around the courtyard of their homes are the departed souls of their near and dear ones. The Meiteis, thus, feed these birds with rice and pure water as a token of love and respect to the departed soul.
The film is scripted by Rebika Okram and produced by Samir Thingbaijam under the banner Nongdon Mamokol. Khwairakpam Biswamittra is the screenwriter and director of the film. National award-winning actress Tonthoi is in the lead. Henry, Rashi, Suniti, Homeswori, Chandrakala, Nandini, Naobi, Ananta Sharma, Baby Kelvish Salam and Nganthoi are in the cast. Romen handles the camera and Mohendro Kams edits the film.
Khwairakpam Bishwamittra became famous in the Manipuri film industry as a director and an actor in his debut super hit film- Kanaga Hinghouni (1996) co-directed with Chan Heisnam, where he played the role of Jaikishan, a drug addict. A pair with Kishorekumar, he co-directed another four super hit films- Iral Oirage (1997), Amambasu Anganbani (1998) , Aroiba Natte (1999) and Thamoinadi Kouhouri (2001) produced by Chan Heisnam under Bright Film Manipur. He directed Shiroi Lily (2001) produced by S. Ibomcha Singh for SB Sons Film and Yaoshangi Meiri (2002) produced by Laishram Lokendra for EUM Imphal. He played a leading role in Yaoshangi Meiri.
