:: IFFK 2008 ::

Face to Face with Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath,
the Director of Yarwng [Roots]

Celluloid rarely speaks like oral languge, because it is basically a language of visuals. So making a movie that speaks an oral or a marginalized language is a daring venture. Let us take give a bow to Fr. Joseph Pulinthanath for offering us Yarwng, a celluloid voice for a marginalized community: those are evicted in the name of development. This venture by Fr. Joseph sheds some light on the struggles of ordinary people.

What is the motivation for making a film for Tribals?

JP: This is one of the oldest languages of North Eastern India. The film is made in Kokborok language. Kokborok is a tribal community placed in social deprivation for long. So it deserves some portrayal in this biggest medium like Cinema. I find it much more interesting to tackle their marginalized life and problems. That is the fact behind this film.

Is your movie is an expression of a dying culture?

JP: Yes! I am projecting or expressing a culture. My film can be considered a mirror for many names. We can't express the actual nuances of this language.

So are you trying to provide a platform?

JP: The people of the North Eastern States of India are actually living like refugees in their own land. They are evicted from their fertile lands in the name of the very idea we are talking all the time, development.

People of TRIPURA are well known for their political awareness. Whether these tribals are politically motivated?

JP: They are not organized. The political parties neglected these areas in the past. Their accessibility is limited.

Q4. Tribal areas are famous for their cultivation. Isn't it?

Ans. Yes. But their cultivated land, i.e., 'Jhum cultivation' [cultivation on the slope of the hills], and the end products are not marketed yet. There are lots of middlemen who are still exploiting them and eating their profit.