Experience the Spine-Chilling Magic of Bokshi: Assam’s Groundbreaking Folk Horror Premieres at Rotterdam Film Festival
Bhargav Saikia, an Assam-born filmmaker educated at Manchester University and now based in Mumbai, is set to debut his feature film, “Bokshi,” at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) in 2025. “Bokshi,” which means “witch” in Nepali, falls under the folk horror genre and was shot over five years in the dense forests of Sikkim during winter. This multilingual film incorporates dialogues in Hindi, English, Nepali, and a fictional language, Boksirit, crafted by Dutch linguist Jan van Steenbergen.
The movie follows a troubled teen, portrayed by Mansi Multani, who embarks on a school expedition to an ancient site. During the trip, she encounters a dormant myth that challenges her to confront her fears. The narrative consciously deviates from typical horror tropes, delivering a dark coming-of-age story that also addresses themes of female empowerment. Saikia, previously known for indie film production and directing short films like “Awakenings” (2015) and “The Black Cat” (2017), used his personal experiences of school expeditions in northeastern India as inspiration for “Bokshi.” Together with writer Harsh Vaibhav, the duo delved into Sikkim’s rich tapestry of folklore and legends.
Saikia aimed to craft a horror film that transcends genre stereotypes to engage with emotional and socially relevant themes, using horror and fantasy as a vehicle to explore pressing societal issues. As Rotterdam champions avant-garde and unique storytelling, the selection of “Bokshi” signifies a recognition of India’s Northeast as a source of untapped, compelling narratives waiting for international discovery.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/bokshi-a-groundbreaking-folk-horror-feature-from-assam-premiering-at-rotterdam-film-festival/articleshow/115560505.cms
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Publish Date: 2024-11-22 14:24:00
