Hansal Mehta talks about presenting Punjabi film 'Birds in the Dark' at Busan International Film Festival
Mumbai, Aug 24
Filmmaker and producer Hansal Mehta has spoken about his association with "Birds in the Dark", a Punjabi film by cinematographer-turned-director Shashank Walia that is set to premiere at the Busan International Film Festival.
Recalling how the project first came to him, Mehta said that Mauli Singh and Ankur Pathak had approached them with the film last year. It was only after watching the first 40 minutes of the film on Walia's laptop in Chandigarh that he realized how special the project was.
Describing the film, the filmmaker said "Birds in the Dark is a black-and-white work in which silence plays an important role in storytelling. He said the film explores themes of justice, longing, resistance and gender, while also offering a nuanced reflection on love. Sharing photos on Instagram, Hansal Mehta wrote, "Last year Mauli Singh and Ankur Pathak came to us with a film. We didn't know then how special it would turn out to be. Until we watched the first 40 minutes of the film on Shashank's laptop in Chandigarh. I was blown away. And proud. Birds in the Dark (Hanere De Panchhi) premieres at the Busan International Film Festival. A Punjabi film by cinematographer Shashank Walia. Black and white."
"Every frame telling a thousand stories in its silences. A quiet film about justice, longing, resistance and gender. A gentle meditation on love that gives you more with every viewing. Sahil and I are proud to collaborate on it as Producers with Reema Kaur, who has also edited this gem. Kudos to the entire team of actors and crew that have worked towards making this film a living, breathing work of art."
The 'Shahid' filmmaker added, "At True Story Films we back voices we believe are going to matter in the years to come - Lijo Jose Pellissery, Jai Mehta, and now Shashank, one of the most individualistic filmmakers of our time. Watch out for him."
"Birds in the Dark" (original Punjabi title: Hanere De Panchi) is an independent drama-romance film directed by Shashank Walia. The film is produced by Reema Kaur and Hansal Mehta under the banner True Story Films.
— IANS
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