Northeast movies mostly serve local market, says filmmaker

Pushkar: India has the world`s largest filmmaking industry but Manipur-based filmmaker Oinam Doren says movie-making in the country`s northeast is only restricted to regional market.

"Most of films made in the northeast are for regional market. You cannot expect a Manipuri movie to release in the entire country. Only Bollywood movies have the kind of power or money to make such big movies. A few good movies are sent to international festivals," Doren told reporters. His movie ‘Songs Of Mashangva’ was screened at the recently held Blue Lotus Music Festival here. However, films there are made mostly for digital platform as making movies for celluloid is too expensive for them, says Doren. "Every year since 1970s we were making some films for the celluloid, but not now as the market is very expensive...so everyone has started making movies on digital platform," he said. Doren, 33, feels northeast India has a lot of talented filmmakers but language barrier and financial issues restrict them from showcasing their talents. "I think we have lots of talented people but sometimes money or language becomes a problem. Some filmmakers cannot interact in Hindi. It is very difficult for them when they go to festivals," he said. ’Songs Of Mashangva’ is loosely based on life of Manipur`s popular folk musician Rewben Mahsanzve. The movie talks about how new cultures have effected the "minority culture" specially from north east India. IANS