The film 'Rapture' begins with the quote "Either it's night, or we don't need the light" written on a pitch-dark blank screen.
In an interview with SBS Hindi, the director explains how the film's use of light and darkness carries a metaphorical significance.
In the opening shot, it is pitch dark at night and the only way to navigate is to carry lanterns. The idea I wanted to convey was that darkness can only be dispelled by carrying your own light.Dominic Sangma
Still from Dominic Sangma, Rapture, 2023 Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival
What you see in the film is something that I have experienced, be it the fear of darkness, outsiders, or child kidnappers. When I was a kid, like Kasan (the child artist in the film), I also suffered from night blindness.Dominic Sangma
Sangma also shares his own childhood experience of witnessing an outsider being severely beaten by villagers who couldn't understand his language.
Tune in here for the Interview with Dominic Sangma about his film 'Rapture' :-
LISTEN TO
hindi_010624_film Rapture_interview_DominicSangma.mp3
11:42
The film, according to Sangma, has many layers of darkness and fear.
Still from Rapture directed by Dominic Sangma Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival
Why are we so fearful? Why are we afraid of strangers who are different to us. Who dictates these fears? … This is the darkness.Dominic Sangma
Still from Rapture directed by Dominic Sangma Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival
They knew it was their film, Garo community... the whole village supported and helped, like a family.Filmmaker Dominic Sangma
Dominic Sangma Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival
His first feature film, 'MA•AMA', became the first Garo film to win the National Award. The film won the Best Cinematography Award at the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival 2019.
He has also served as a jury member for Indian Panorama, the International Film Festival of India, and the Guwahati International Short Film and Documentary Film Festival.
Film ‘Rapture' will have its Australian Premier at the Sydney Film Festival ( 5 June - 16 June 2024)
***
LISTEN TO
Indian film ‘The Winter Within' screened at Sydney Film Festival this year
SBS Hindi
16/06/202313:10
LISTEN TO
Sydney's film festival to feature Indian documentary 'The World is Family'
SBS Hindi
05/02/202411:44
LISTEN TO
Sydney Film Festival 2023 to feature Indian documentary 'While We Watched'
SBS Hindi
24/05/202310:13
