Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy created history at the 82nd Venice Film Festival as she became the first Indian to win the Best Director award in the Orizzonti (Horizons) section. Her film ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’, backed by Anurag Kashyap, was the only Indian title in competition this year, making the victory even more special.
Priyanka Chopra sends her wishes
Chopra, who will be seen in SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu’s next film, took to Instagram to celebrate Roy’s triumph. Sharing a picture of the filmmaker, Priyanka simply wrote, “Congratulations.” Check out Priyanka Chopra’s story here:
‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ explores the lives of two migrant women in Mumbai as they navigate loneliness, survival, and fleeting bonds of companionship. On receiving the award, Anuparna, in her speech, described the film as “a deeply personal journey, inspired by stories around me.” At the closing ceremony in Venice, she accepted the award dressed in a white saree. Opening up about the big win, the director called the recognition “surreal.” She also thanked the jury, her cast, producers, and Kashyap for supporting her vision.The award was presented by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, who headed this year’s Orizzonti jury.
Indian cinema among global giants
The Venice festival this year saw major premieres from global heavyweights, including Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Frankenstein’, Paolo Sorrentino’s ‘La Grazia’, Kathryn Bigelow’s ‘A House of Dynamite’, Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine’, and Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘Bugonia’. In such a stellar line-up, Roy’s victory stood out as a beacon of hope for Indian filmmakers seeking a wider global platform. The film’s recognition among a strong lineup highlights India’s narratives resonating on a global platform. Go to Source
