Film by Himachali director selected for international festival

Shimla, January 8

The film ‘Clouds Messenger’, directed by Rahat Mahajan, who hails from Nurpur in Kangra, has been shortlisted for screening at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)-2022.

The film features in the festival’s Tiger Competition segment, a platform for emerging film talent. A total of 14 films from across the globe have been shortlisted for the IFFR. The title of the film is inspired by the epic “Meghdoot” by Sanskrit poet Kalidasa. It is a coming-of-age story that puts together contemporary and ancient storytelling.

Coming-of-age story

• A total of 14 films from across the globe have been shortlisted for the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR)-2022
• ’Clouds Messenger’ by Nurpur’s Rahat Mahajan (in pic) is a coming-of-age story that puts together contemporary and ancient storytelling

Mahajan’s own boarding school experiences were the inspiration and they also provided the film’s principal location with collaboration with the students and staff of his school, the Lawrence School, Sanawar, Kasauli. “My sincere attempt with the film is to marry form with feeling and create a contemporary Indian mythology via weaving the oldest forms of storytelling with the newest one, that is cinema,” says Mahajan, who is the writer, director and co-producer of the film.

His first film, ‘Memoirs of an Apple’, won the first prize at the IDPA Film Festival in 2006. He then started working in Bollywood, starting as an assistant director under Vishal Bhardwaj and ultimately spearheaded visual promotions for various films.

The film depicts how uniform, morning roll call, order and disciplined life at the prestigious boarding school fail to enthuse Jaivardhan (16) who finds temporary respite in a photography workshop.

The photography lessons also introduce Jaivardhan to Tarini. Their meeting proves to fulfil a centuries-old desire, that references a classic Indian tale about tragic lovers and an evil, jealous ruler. As the tale unfolds, the two realised their roles as timeless lovers in a mythical tale, meeting in the present day after several centuries of longing, and leading up to the death of Tarini in this life as well. As the whole universe conspires to break the ancient curse, this tale of eternal love can only end if Jaivardhan travels to the land of death. — TNS

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.