The Indian Panorama of the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2020) will feature two films from Manipur, ‘Eigi Kona (Stallone My Pony)’ and ‘Highways of Life’.
A report quoted renowned Manipuri film critic and president of the Film Society of Manipur, Meghachandra Kongbam as saying. “It is a great achievement for Manipuri cinema that two films from the state have been selection to feature in different sections in the Indian Panorama of the 51st IFFI 2020.”
‘Eigi Kona (Stallone My Pony)’ is a feature film narrating how polo players and their ponies have to live a life of misery in the birthplace of polo.
Swarna Kamal winning filmmaker, Bobby Waahengbam and national award winner, Maipaksana Haorongbam have directed the 90 minute feature film, while K Sushile Devi has produced it.
‘Eigi Kona’ was one of the 20 feature films to be selected from among 183 contemporary Indian film entries for the film festival.
‘Highways of Life’ is a non-feature film portraying the lives of a group of truckers who carry essential commodities for the people of Manipur through the national highways, many times putting their lives at risk.
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Amar Maibam has directed the film, which has recently been awarded in the best film category at the Liberation Docfest 2020 in Dhaka and has featured in the competition section of several reputed film festivals like the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival.
Films Division has produced the film.
‘Highways of Life’ features among 20 films in the non-feature category, where 123 such Indian films have applied for entry.
Amar Maibam said, “It is an honour for us; I will be happier if our issues of highways and their relationship with the people is acknowledged among a wider audience.”
“I thank the crew members and everyone who is related with the film,” he said.