Nyoooz, 15 Oct 2015
GUWAHATI: Acclaimed filmmaker Haobam Paban Kumar's national award-winning film 'Phum Shang' (Floating Life), which depicts life on the famed Loktak lake of Manipur, will now compete in international film festivals. 'Phum Shang' won the award for Best Investigative Film at the 62nd National Film Awards in 2014. Produced by the Films Division, 'Phum Shang' has been nominated for the Leipziger Ring Award by the selection committee of the 58th International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film. Kumar will present the film and take part in a Q&A session. The festival, one of the oldest documentary festivals in the world, is held at Leipzig in Germany. This year, the festival will be held from October 26. 'Phum Shang' captures life on the largest freshwater lake of eastern India that is known for its unique floating biomass or 'phumdi'. It narrates the lives of the displaced fishermen and their primary source of livelihood.
It also chronicles the unique and abundant biodiversity of Loktak and highlights the paradox of development existing alongside poverty. Besides Germany, 'Phum Shang' has also been selected for the 34th Jean Rouch International Film Festival that will take place from November 7 and continue till November 15 at the Musee de l'Homme in Paris. It has also been selected in the competitive section of the 10th edition of the biennial festival, Film Southasia 2015. The festival will open on November 19 and continue till November 22. The film will also be screened at the 12th Jeevika: Asia Livelihood Documentary Festival 2015, to be held between October 30 and November 1 at Siri Fort, New Delhi. Kumar has earned accolades for his works such as 'Kangla', 'AFSPA 1958' and 'A Cry in the Dark'. All were shown at various festivals across the world. 'AFSPA 1958' won international awards, including the Fipresci Prize at MIFF, 2006.
It also bagged the Best Non-Fiction Award at the 56th national film awards, 2008.
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