Pic By : James Khangenbam
By James Khangenbam 05 July 2023 Imphal:
Haobam Paban Kumar, one of Manipuri Cinema’s decorated filmmaker, has done it again
with his latest Manipuri feature film, “Joseph ki Macha” (Joseph’s Son) getting premiered in
the largest international film festival of Asia and the longest running international film
festival of China.
This time, his 83-minute film on the fear and uncertainty of life in Manipur, devastated by
armed conflict and ethnic divide, did Manipuri Cinema proud by being Indian’s lone entry to
the main competition section of the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival 2023, which
was held from 9th to 18 June in China’s biggest city and global financial hub.
Co-Produced by National Film Development Corporation and Haobam’s own production
firm, Oli Picture, “Joseph’s Son is based on a short story by Sudhir Naoroibam, a Sahitya
Akademi Award winner. The story revolves around Joseph’s (played by Guru Rewben
Mashangva) search for his missing son through a landscape of dismal and turmoil.
The Manipuri film was in the competition section with 11 other international films for the
prestigious Golden Goblet Award 2023. It got its world premiere on 13th June at the
Shanghai Film Centre as part of the film festival.
Along with director Haobam Paban Kumar, the protagonist, Guru Rewben Mashangva and
executive producer of the film, PP Math attended the festival. Haobam Paban Kumar is a
nominated executive member of the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) who
repeatedly grabbed international attention with his reel stories of Manipur.
“Joseph ki Macha” is his third Manipuri feature film. Each of his earlier films have all earned
critical accolades in the festival circuits of the world. Debuted with Loktak Leirembi or Lady
of the Lake, his second production being “Nine Valley One Valley”.
