The 77th edition of the esteemed Cannes Film Festival, which kicked off on May 14th, served as a prominent stage for a diverse range of global films to take centre stage.
This year’s festival encompassed various sections, including the competition segment, Un Certain Regard, and others. Notably, numerous Indian films found their place in the Marché du Film and Online Screening categories.
Featured among the Indian entries in the Online Screening sections were titles like “In Search of Sunshine” by Eon Films, “Satyashodhak” by Nilesh Jalamkar, “Navras Katha Collage” by Praveen Hingonia, “Poyyamozhi” by Anna Sudhi, “Am I a Hero” by Khatib Mohamed, and “Lajja The Shame” by Mohan Das. These works were collectively presented under the anthology “In Search of Sunshine,” a gesture aimed at acknowledging them, as traditionally, Cannes doesn’t screen short films.
Also showcased in the Online Screening section on May 18th was “Lachit – The Warrior,” penned and directed by Partha Sarathi Mahanta, and produced by Mina Mahanta and Indrani Baruah. This cinematic piece delves into the life of Lachit Barphukan, a seventeenth-century military leader celebrated for his diplomatic acumen, naval warfare prowess, and unwavering patriotism.
The film unfolds the historical saga of seventeenth-century Assam, where the Ahom kingdom confronted a string of setbacks against Mughal forces in 1662, resulting in significant territorial losses. Determined to reclaim honour and land, the Ahom king entrusted Lachit Barphukan, renowned for his courage, to lead the charge against the Mughals.”Lachit – The Warrior” meticulously chronicles the sequence of military endeavors led by Lachit, commencing with the retake of Guwahati from the Mughals in September-October 1667. It traverses through subsequent skirmishes, the pivotal battle of Alaboi in 1669, and climaxes at the decisive clash of Saraighat in 1671, where the Mughals faced defeat. The film underscores Lachit’s instrumental role in shaping the nation’s historical and geographical landscape.
The screening of “Lachit – The Warrior” at Cannes 2024 has bestowed international acclaim upon this significant chapter of Assamese history, bringing to light the valor and strategic brilliance of Lachit Barphukan to a global audience.
