When Anuparna Roy accepted the Orizzonti Award for her debut film Songs of Forgotten Trees in Venice earlier this month, she forged a victory that's rare for most women of her background.
Trembling with joy and unable to hold back tears, Roy's visceral display of emotion on stage demonstrated how significant the moment was—she scripted history as the first Indian director to win in a category specially devoted to new voices in independent world cinema.
Roy's grassroots origins in a nondescript tribal village in the Purulia district of West Bengal makes her triumph even more meaningful. Unlike celebrated filmmakers from Kolkata, Roy, 31, followed a more conventional path, opting for a call-centre job to achieve economic stability before embarking on her cinematic journey.
A chance meeting with film students reignited her passion for cinema. Roy saved every penny earned over six years to self-fund her debut short Run to the River, eventually navigating the Mumbai film industry with determination.
Songs of Forgotten Trees tells the story of two women from differing backgrounds—a budding actress who moonlights as an escort and a call centre worker—portraying an intimate relationship as they grapple with alienation and survival in urban society.
The Hollywood Reporter described Roy's film as an anguished portrait of what it takes for women to survive, reflecting her unique filming style that deviates from conventional methods.
Deeply personal, the film draws inspiration from Roy's own life, addressing critical socio-economic issues while also challenging societal norms and expectations.
On the awards stage, Roy donned a saree symbolizing solidarity with the children of Gaza, unapologetically using her platform to advocate for important causes. Her future projects may explore themes further, but she firmly rejects the idea of creating 'sugar-coated cinema'.
I have to make films that represent the world we live in, even if they upset people, she asserts, committed to weaving pivotal narratives through her work.
