JOIN USBIFFES 2019: 'Unrealistic expectations break children'
Sunita Kapoor moved from Imphal to Delhi 21 years ago and since then, she has craved for a connection with her birthplace. A feminist and a self-propelled woman, Sunita turned to produce films to reconnect with her roots. Her efforts bore fruit with her latest film Magi Matambakta (On her lap) which is being screened at the ongoing Bengaluru International Film Festival at the Orion Mall. Sunita's messages are universal, though she weaves them around her native stories.
Magi Matambakta is a story of two boys who are brought up in two different ways and eventually they face the results of their upbringing. The film is a commentary on parenthood and the ill-effects of helicopter-parenting ( a parent who pays extremely close attention to a child's or children's experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions).
Sunita addresses the topic, which is again in the spotlight with approaching exam season, and one that plagues parents in almost all parts of the country. "In Manipur especially, we have parents who even accompany their children to tutions and have unrealistic expectations from their offspring. It is heartbreaking to see kids under such pressure," Sunita, a mother of two children says.
But why has she chosen films as a medium to convey her message? "It is a universal medium. One need not be educated to comprehend cinema. I want to reach every part of the society with my work," she says.
With her films, Sunita also wants to drive another important message back home, of women empowerment. "Manipuri women are strong. But then, we also face a lot of difficulties to grow in our lives. In a male-dominated sphere, it was important for me to create a mark and I have come a long way," she says. Sunita also runs an NGO called 'Chunura' (all women) to support women who are without any means of livelihood or are on a lookout for a new start. "I came across two sisters who had run away with their mother to escape some kind of danger back home. I was fortunate to get the girls to complete their education. They had reached Delhi with only Rs 200 on them, but I could help them stand on their feet now" she narrates.
The issues that women face on day to day basis also happens to be the theme of her next film. "Ever since I have moved away from home, I have realised that Manipur has a beautiful culture and I want to give it back to my home through these films. I want to prove myself as a woman and a film producer."
However, Sunita confesses it is not easy to shoot films in insurgency struck Manipur, especially for a woman. "Normally, it should take 20-25 days for a film to complete. But it took us almost 2 and a half years to complete Magi Matambakta. We were forced to take long breaks because of the threats leading to huge financial setbacks," she adds.
With BIFFes, she hopes to give a glimpse of her home and her stories to the rest of the world. "I am happy that I got this opportunity to screen my film at the BIFFes. It is wonderful. I hope the 75,000 Manipuri people will also come down to watch and appreciate the film," she says with a glimmer of hope.
Sunita's Magi Matambakta is rescheduled to be screened on February 24.