Imphal, Nov 21: Haobam Paban Kumar’s third narrative- Joseph’s Son will feature as the Indian Premiere in the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival 2023 to be held from December 5 to 12, 2023. It will also compete with other 11 films in the competition on Indian Language’s Films .
Other 11 films in the competition are Avni Ki Kismat directed by Shonet Anthony Barretto, Ozhuki Ozhuki Ozhuki by Sanjeev Sivan, Blue Sunshine by Samyuktha Vijayan, Kherwal by Uttam Kamati, Valli by Manoj Shinde, Gorai Phakhri (Wild Swans) by Rajni Basumatary, Kandeelu The Ray Of Hope by K Yashoda Prakash, Samarpan (Surrender) by Arup Manna, Onkara (The Ascension) by Unni KR, Hemanter Aparanha (Autumn Afternoon) by Ashoke Viswanathan and A Boy Who Dreamt Of Electricity by Jigar Madanlal Nagda said Meghachandra Kongbam, President, Film Society of Manipur.
Haobam Paban Kumar’s Joseph’s Son tells the story of a young teen who has not returned home in Manipur, an area amidst the ethnic conflicts and insurgency. His father Joseph sets out on a journey in search of his football enthusiast son. As Joseph travels, his fear grows deeper: a fear of constant uncertainty- past and present – to which a personal vacuum is added when he is asked to verify the unidentified body in the morgue by the police. It is a journey that no parent would like to take ever.
Rewben Mashangva, a renowned folk singer is the main protagonist of the film. The story is based on the short story- Joseph ki Macha penned by Sahitya Akademi awardee Sudhir Naoroibam. Both Sudhir Naoroibam and Haobam Paban Kumar do the screenplay. The film is produced by the NFDC and Oli Pictures.
Haobam Paban Kumar’s Joseph’s Son will also feature at the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala 2023 in the Indian Cinema Now section along with six other films which were selected by a panel of jury. The festival will be held from December 8 to 15 at Thiruvananthapuram.
