KOCHI: Malayalam director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s film ‘Sexy Durga’ has bagged the Hivos Tiger award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), to become the first Indian feature film to win an award in the category.
“It is a big boost for the indie film movement in the Malayalam film industry,” said Sanal.
“Sexy Durga has won the great Hivos Tiger award at the IFFR. This is something for the team and the indie movement in Malayalam. Thanks everyone. Remember my friends who supported me in making my first film. Thank you. Thanks IFFR (sic),” posted Sanal on his FB page.
“Its daring and resourceful approach in creating a mood of constant tension, the particular use of camera and acting give a sense of immediacy and momentum, while providing an insight into the multi-layered power dynamics of gender, class and authority,” said the jury about the road movie.
The film, the third from Sanal, depicts the horrifying experiences of Durga, a migrant from North India, and a youth Kabeer.
The award, which carries a cash prize of EUR 40,000 divided between the director and producer, was introduced to promote emerging talent in filmmaking.
“My biggest achievement is my poverty. Otherwise, I would not have tried making a film in this manner,” the reply came quickly from Sanal Kumar Sasidharan when asked about the rare feat of winning the Hivos Tiger award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), to become the first Indian to get the honour since its inception in 1995.
The words describe his spirit, which gave him the drive to make the first film with online crowd funding and take a cab to exhibit it across the state - both novel experiments in film production/distribution in the state. The 39-year-old law graduate, who is not excited about the global recognition that would open open new avenues for him, says, “I am relieved as I can make my movies more freely now.”
“We have a lot of talents, but our own people are not giving adequate support. They go behind the sons and daughters of big stars,” says the director who makes films with almost unknown faces.
“I can’t work with stars, and I don’t need even actors. I need human beings with submission to art. For me, the team is very important, and I can work only with people I love to work with,” says Sanal.
The winner of two state awards - for best director in 2014 and best film in 2015 - alleged there were suspected backdoor tricks behind every selection in film awards in Kerala.
For the minimal-budget filmmaker, cinema is an affordable business sans glamour. “No, budget is not a big problem. It is the mindset that matters. If you remove the element of luxury, anyone with a sincere approach and passion can make good films with less money. But, most of the people are after extravaganza,” he says.
For Sanal, who has done many things for survival, making films without proper script ‘is his natural way’ as ‘it is like following the self.’ “I am not advising this to anyone as it is like a circus,” says Sanal. He says he is happy that he could gift a home to his children with the EUR 20,000 prize money, and reaffirms his resolve to remain a solitary walker in Malayalam film.