Assamese film by writer-director Bidyut Kotoky, Xhoixobote Dhemalite(Rainbow Fields) won the Best Foreign Film Award in the Hollywood International Cinefest 2017 announced today .
Following a strong judging process of the shortlisted nominees., that included strong contenders from around the world, Bidyut’s redemption drama about children growing up in violent places witnessing brutality around them, won the top prize for its sensitive portrayal and a striking narrative style.
The festival was held at AMC Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles on June 24th and June 25th 2017 and received over 400 submissions and films from America, UK, India, France, China, South Korea, Cambodia and Hong Kong .
On being asked if Award this is a validation of his cry for peace in the long troubled North-east , Bidyut said “Yes, in this film I’m talking about Assam as I know her better than any other place. But the story of Xhoihobote Dhemalite / Rainbow Fields could very well have been a story of children in conflict zone from any part of this world…”
The legendary Victor Banerjee, who plays an important role of a grandfather in the film and for whom Awards are an everyday affair, this Award felt really special because of its Assam connection. “ To share in Bidyut’s overdue international recognition and also participate in an artistic accomplishment related to my beloved land of Assam, makes this one of the proudest moments of my life and career.”, he said, when asked about the honour bestowed on the film.
Amrit Pritam has designed the sound for this film. Fresh from his nomination to the Ocar academy, Amrit says “a beautiful movie,beautifully connected to my heart and soul…Yes, I’m talking about Xhoixobote Dhemalite (Rainbow Fields), directed by my dear brother Bidyut Kotoky”
The film stars Dipannita Sharma, Nakul Vaid, Naved Aslam, Nipon Goswami and Ms Nikumoni Barua amongst others. Camera is by Satya Prakash Rath and editing by Pallavi Kotoky. Original music is by Anurag Saikia. Title track is sung by Nilotpal Bora and Dipakshi Kalita.
2017 winners include: After Ever After (Best Feature, English), Nothing Like the Sun (Best Short, English), Rainbow Fields (Best Feature, Foreign), Maintenance Required (Best Short, Foreign), Nothing Like the Sun (Best Screenplay).
“While very different from each other, there are some striking similarities between After Ever After and Rainbow Fields. Both films have a particular emotional appeal, both have a child as one of the leads and both use colors in a very cinematic way. We are very proud of these two film-makers whose art truly transcends geographical limits”, said Zack Zublena, Festival Director.
The film is Produced by ‘India Stories’, a Mumbai based production house founded by Trilok Malhotra and KR Harish and, specializing in both strong Bollywood and Regional content, and co-produced by Bidyut’s ‘dhruv creative productions’ and ‘Kurmasana Kreates’, a US based production house founded by Nitesh Batra and Kishor Gokhru. Mukul Gogoi is associate producer of the film.
More details for HICF can be found at www.hicinefest.com.
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