IFFI 2024: A Poetic Tribute to Indian Folk Stories wins Global Hearts
By Manu Shrivastava
At the heart of the vibrant 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) lies a tale rooted in tradition, imagination, and the poignant simplicity of rural life. Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know, a Kannada-language short film, has captured the attention of cinephiles and critics alike, not merely for its evocative narrative but also for its cinematic craftsmanship. Directed by Chidananda Naik, the film has traversed from Indian villages to global accolades, carving a niche in contemporary storytelling.
At a press conference at #IFFIWood, director Chidananda Naik described his work as a "poetic expression of real-life experience." The film, inspired by Indian folk stories and Naik’s own childhood memories, dives deep into the ethos of rural India.
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| Director Chidananda Naik (centre) at the press conference |
"Folklore has always been a repository of wisdom, humour, and life lessons," he explained, adding that blending these traditional narratives with personal recollections was a way to honour his roots.
The story revolves around an elderly woman whose theft of the village rooster throws the community into chaos. As the villagers invoke a prophecy to recover the rooster, the old woman’s family faces exile, a reflection of how social constructs and beliefs shape rural life.
Naik’s seamless interweaving of folklore and visual poetry is a testament to his vision. “Cinematic expression is not just about narration; it’s about making the audience feel every frame,” he shared, revealing how every element of the film was meticulously curated to resonate with the viewer.
Chidananda S. Naik, a proud alumnus of FTII, Pune, highlighted the importance of short films in the journey of budding filmmakers. “Short films are a powerful medium for experimentation,” he noted, urging young creators to use the platform to refine their style, storytelling, and techniques.
“Time, space, and cost are always critical challenges in filmmaking, but these limitations often foster the most innovative ideas,” Naik said. This philosophy echoes in the film’s production, which, despite resource constraints, emerged as a technically and emotionally rich piece of cinema.
Behind the Scenes: Crafting Visual Poetry
The film’s production designer, Pranav Khot, detailed the process of working within the confines of limited resources. “This was not just about creating visuals but about building a world that felt authentic and alive,” he said. The film’s rural settings and the vibrancy of its colour palette were a deliberate choice to encapsulate the essence of Indian village life.
Cinematographer Suraj Thakur played a crucial role in translating Naik’s vision onto the screen. His use of natural light and earthy tones painted an evocative canvas, capturing the subtleties of rural life and the complexities of human emotions.
Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know has been a beacon of hope for Indian short films on the international stage. After winning the first prize at the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious La Cinef Selection, the film secured a spot in the Live Action Short Film category for the 97th Academy Awards. This monumental achievement places it among the finest in global cinema.
“This is not just a win for the film; it’s a win for Kannada-language cinema and the power of stories deeply rooted in tradition,” said Naik.
With a runtime of just 16 minutes, Sunflowers Were The First Ones To Know is a masterpiece of brevity and depth. It reminds us that cinema is not just entertainment but also a medium to preserve, celebrate, and reimagine cultural narratives.
As IFFI continues to showcase cinematic brilliance, Naik’s film stands out as a poignant reminder of the timeless appeal of folklore and the boundless creativity of young filmmakers who dare to dream.
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