The Venice International Film Festival, a renowned platform for cinematic excellence, has recognized Anuparna Roy, making her the first Indian director to earn an award. Roy was awarded the Best Director for her film, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees,’ an achievement that brought great joy.
At the 82nd Venice Film Festival in Italy, Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy made a notable impact, leaving her mark on the history books. Following her win, Roy expressed her delight and shared insights into the film’s context. She stated, ‘I believe this brings a great responsibility, as an Indian filmmaker and a global citizen. It gives me pride and helps me in my life.’
The film features the story of Thuya, a character that has personal significance for Roy. Roy shared, ‘I saw my grandmother and her stepdaughter, who were the same age. My grandmother was a child bride, and when she entered the house, she found that her stepdaughter was of her age. They formed a deep friendship, and this bond helped them to grow. After my grandfather’s death, they worked together to manage the family.’
She also spoke about her childhood friend, whom she lost contact with due to caste discrimination. Discussing her friend’s journey, the director said, ‘When I learned that she got married at 13 as part of a government initiative, I was saddened. Her experience is depicted in the film.’ ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ focuses on the stories of two young women, with Naz Sheikh and Sumi Baghel playing the lead roles.