Beloved in France, Rapture Battles for Recognition at Home: An Emotional Struggle for Space
Struggles of National Award-Winning Filmmaker Dominic Megam Sangma in Screening ‘Rapture’ in Meghalaya
SHILLONG, July 23: Despite attracting international acclaim, National award-winning filmmaker Dominic Megam Sangma faces significant challenges in screening his poignant film, "Rapture," in his home state of Meghalaya, particularly in Shillong. The film has already been well-received across Europe, where it was screened in over 100 theaters in France, receiving praise for its poignant storytelling and striking cinematography.
However, Dominic has struggled to garner support from the state government to screen "Rapture" locally. “The film has been released in France and has traveled widely, but I have been struggling to screen my film in Shillong. There is no support. Nobody from the government has come forward to help me screen the film in the state capital,” Dominic told The Shillong Times.
Due to financial constraints, Dominic has been unable to independently screen the film for local audiences, causing some to mistakenly believe he is deliberately withholding it. “One has to be foolish to not want to screen a film for one’s own people,” he emphasized.
In a commendable effort, Dominic managed to organize a screening of "Rapture" in Tura from August 15-25. “We have spent a lot bringing in projectors, sound systems, tickets, hiring personnel, and more in Tura,” he noted. “It is not just as simple as putting a CD in a player. A lot goes into screening a film, and the government can easily handle this if it wants to.”
Dominic expressed his wish to screen the film in Shillong during September or October, provided he can secure an auditorium. “I do not want to deprive the people of the state from watching this film,” he said.
"Rapture," directed by Dominic and produced by Shillong’s Anna Films, delves into the cultural and spiritual realms of the Garo community. It holds the distinction of being the first film from Meghalaya to be screened in about 150 theaters in France, marking a significant milestone for Garo cinema on a global stage.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/07/24/lauded-in-france-rapture-struggles-for-space-at-home/
Category : MEGHALAYA
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