GUWAHATI: Assamese filmmaker Mehdi Jahan is set to unveil his debut feature, "Joymoti Never Left" (Assamese title: Tumi Najaba, Joymoti), at the 53rd International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR 2024). Scheduled to premiere in the esteemed 'Cinema Regained' section, the film promises to be a unique blend of fiction and documentary, starring descendants of Assam's cinematic pioneer, Jyotiprasad Agarwala.
The cast, featuring Jyotiprasad Agarwala's daughter, Satyashree Agarwala Das, granddaughter Radha Das, and great-grandson Raghu Pratap, not only bring their familial ties to the screen but actively contributed to the film's production. This marks a significant moment as "Joymoti Never Left" becomes only the second Assamese feature film in nearly three decades to secure a spot at IFFR, following Jahnu Barua's "Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door" in 1996.
The film delves into the intricate dynamics between the Agarwala family and Jyotiprasad Agarwala's cinematic legacy. "Joymoti Never Left" presents a dreamlike portrait of the pioneering filmmaker, focusing on his inventive contributions and staunchly feminist ideals, often overlooked in the annals of cinema history.
The storyline, set in the year 2047 amidst the remnants of a submerged Assam, unfolds as an ethnographer discovers Satyashree Agarwala Das's diary. The narrative weaves through the past and present, exploring the relationships of the Agarwala family with Jyotiprasad Agarwala, their connections to the female protagonists in his works, and their dreams and memories related to cinema.
Mehdi Jahan, who serves as the film's producer, director, cinematographer, and co-editor, showcases his storytelling prowess by blending fiction, fantasy, and documentary elements. The film features promising Assamese talents, including Tridisha Goswami in a double role, Raghu Pratap in a triple role, and popular Assamese artist Arghadeep Barua as the narrator. The original music, composed by Rahul Rabha and Niladri Shekhar Roy, adds a captivating layer to the cinematic experience.
Before "Joymoti Never Left," Mehdi Jahan earned acclaim for his narrative and experimental short films, showcased at various international and national film festivals. In 2023, a retrospective of his work was held at the Millennium Film Workshop in New York. Notably, Jahan recently made history as the first Indian filmmaker to receive the Berlin Fellowship in 'Film and Media Arts,' offering a glimpse into his future project, "The Dolphin Woman."
"Joymoti Never Left" emerges as a cinematic tribute to Assam's cultural heritage, offering exploration of political, spiritual, and familial dimensions. As it prepares to grace the screens at IFFR 2024, this film promises to leave an indelible mark on the global film landscape, resonating with audiences far beyond the banks of the Brahmaputra.