Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 14
“Since the movie was made with huge struggle, we also named the movie Dukh II (Struggle),” the producer of the movie Neangbah Konyak stated during its premiere today, while reflecting on the sorry state of film making in Nagaland.
The premiere was held today at Bookmarc Conference Hall, Supermarket Dimapur for a select audience, with the Advisor to NBDA & NEPED Naiba Konyak as the Chief Guest and Saku Longchar of the Ao Band ‘Samaro’ as the guest of honour.
Assessing the Nagamese movie industry scenario in the State, the Director of the movie, Meren Ozüküm said, everyone is struggling. Apart from the finances, we have neither facility nor equipment to meet the technical aspect of it, he said.
Ozüküm said Nagamese movies are made through the pure dedication of the artists, who for their love of the craft, work and struggle, often without any monetary benefits.
This lack of support, he stated, has resulted in many movies not being made or meeting audience expectation despite earnest intention and utmost dedication. We cannot afford even stuntman (or body double), so they have to do all the stunts themselves, he revealed.
He further informed that most current artists are products of Gospel Studio and Nagamese Film Industry. He viewed that if the Government could provide even a little support to the industry, something in the line of Music Task Force constituted by the State Government, they could improve considerably. “We are trying our best to improve,” he said earnestly urging the general public to support them.
This was reflected at the screening of the movie, which is set to be available all over the State shortly. However, regular followers will notice that though technically there are considerable improvements in sound editing and cinematography, many areas could have been better.
Flashes of brilliance in both artistic rendition and plot development while getting interested reaction from the audience could not be sustained.
People in celluloid are adventurists with grand vision, Naiba Konyak stated in his address, however implying that these dreams are limited by lack of resources.
“You face too many problems. It’s a hand to mouth existence,” he said adding that it is only through sheer dedication that they are able to produce whatever limited product is made.
He also congratulated the producer, Neangbah Konyak with whom he shared the same constituency, who with a grand vision, ventured into the filmmaking with determination despite coming from a modest background. Youngsters should have a determination, but we should also try until we succeed, he encouraged.
He further expressed hope that the venture will pay off. “Today, it seems like a small venture, but it will prove to be a good industry in days to come,” he said. Naiba revealed that the Government may come up with a policy, while asking filmmakers here to hold on to their vision.
Exhorting the audience, Saku Longchar, part of the Ao Trio band ‘Samaro,’ a pioneer in the local gospel music scene said that compared to the early years; things have improved considerably. “We never had such privilege enabled by technological progress. We have talent and potential but no platform,” he noted. ‘Samaro,’ which has recorded 12 albums, will be celebrating their silver jubilee next year, he informed.
Reflecting on their experience, he noted that professionalism and teamwork are keys to success in any venture. Unity, punctuality, dedication and trust among the artists will go a long way in taking the industry along a successful path. “Let’s get together and make the industry successful earnestly, even at national and international arena. Let’s inspire each other,” he urged.
