The Venice International Film Festival, a premier event in the film industry, has bestowed an award upon Anuparna Roy, marking a significant achievement for Indian cinema. Roy received the Best Director award for her film ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees.’ Her victory at the festival sparked a wave of celebration.
The 82nd Venice Film Festival in Italy witnessed Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy’s exceptional performance, cementing her legacy in the annals of film history. Following the award, Roy expressed her joy and delved into the film’s details. She mentioned, ‘I feel this brings a great responsibility, both as an Indian filmmaker and as a global citizen. It fills me with pride and helps me to move forward in life.’
The film explores the life of a girl named Thuya, a character deeply rooted in Roy’s personal experiences. Roy explained, ‘I saw my grandmother and her stepdaughter, who were of similar ages. My grandmother was a child bride, and upon entering the house, she discovered that her stepdaughter was her age. They developed a close friendship, surpassing the traditional mother-daughter relationship, which strengthened their bond. After my grandfather’s passing, they managed the entire family together.’
She also remembered her childhood friend, with whom she lost contact due to caste discrimination. Describing her friend’s journey, the director added, ‘When I discovered that she was married at 13 through a government program, I was heartbroken. Her story is included in the film.’ The film, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees,’ highlights the narratives of two such young women, with Naz Sheikh and Sumi Baghel leading the cast.