A still from ‘In Search of Buddha’
Kolkata: ‘In Search of Buddha’, a Bengali short fiction film, is among 31 films yet to receive censor exemption for International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). Organised by Eastern Region of Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI), the festival was hosted at Nandan from July 3 to 9.
The film’s director, Saranyya Deyy, said his movie, set in the Naxal era, could not be screened at Nandan previously owing to delay in ministry approvals. Rebutting the concerns, Deyy said, “We are surprised our film is struggling to secure approval. The film follows filmmakers Atish and Deepankar, researching Buddha, an elusive Naxal leader, shrouded in forgotten history. Guided by a politician and a professor, their journey through fragmented recollections dismantles their initial assumptions. This exposes shifting truths, leaving them disillusioned with both their subject and the notion of definitive truth. In July, Deyy had sent this film for consideration at 9th South Asian Short Film Festival (SASFF). starring Neel Mukherjee, Mayurakshi Sen, Sagnik Koley, Haridas Dey, with music by Panchajanya Dey and cinematography by Saikat Roy, was selected for the competitive section, it had to be pulled as the ministry clearance was not obtained in time Although his short film. Delays in securing ministry clearance have fuelled speculation on the film’s commentary on religion, governance and political movements. There is no critique of the govt, nor have we attacked any religion. it is strictly surreal While one dream sequence shows a Buddhist monk smoking. We never intended to criticise the Naxal movement. Rather, we wanted to critique how contemporary filmmakers tend to romanticise it on screen.”