Cinema
The Catastrophe
Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai
Jahnu Barua · 1987
Synopsis
Rasheswar Bora, a happy and naive peasant from a village in Assam, learns from a rich neighbour that he must hand over his land or repay the mortgage his father once took out: his father had repaid it without ever asking for a receipt. To assert his right, he sells his cattle, makes one attempt after another, and comes up against corruption and bribes, while the man who is taking his land prepares to run for a seat as a deputy.
Context
The director's third feature film, and his first adaptation of a novel, by Homen Borgohain, whose ending he changed to give it a more confident turn. Produced by Sailadhar Baruah, who afterwards accompanied most of his films, it was first shown at Thiruvananthapuram. Indra Bania, a theatre actor from Guwahati, played the peasant, and the music is by Satya Baruah.
Who it is for
Two hours in Assamese, with no French release. The story advances at the pace of formalities and seasons.
Prizes and reception
National Award for best film in 1988; at Locarno, a Leopard and the Ecumenical Jury Prize, and the Silver Leopard for acting for Indra Bania.
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