Anuparna Roy's Journey to Venice: A Tale of Ambition and Sisterhood in Cinema

From Village Dreams to Venice

Anuparna Roy's story begins in a small village in Purulia district, West Bengal, where she pursued English literature before transitioning to mass communications. Her career path took her from a call center in Delhi to an IT sales role in Mumbai, but her passion for filmmaking remained a constant throughout.

Despite lacking formal training in film, Roy's early exposure to cinema was limited to pirated films viewed on her laptop, as the nearest theater was far from her village. Now, she is ready to share her cinematic vision with the world.

Debut Feature at Venice Film Festival

Roy's first feature film, Songs of Forgotten Trees, is set to premiere at the renowned Venice Film Festival starting August 27. This multilingual film tells the story of two migrant women living together in Mumbai. The narrative explores the evolving relationship between Thooya, an aspiring actress who engages in sex work, and Shweta, an IT sales executive, as they navigate life within their shared apartment.

Though Thooya and Shweta come from different backgrounds, their lives intertwine, leading to a deep bond that Roy describes as 'platonic love.'

Exploring Complex Relationships

The film features poignant imagery, such as trees swaying in the wind juxtaposed with urban landscapes, symbolizing the nature both women have left behind in pursuit of better opportunities. Roy's approach emphasizes visual storytelling over dialogue, aiming to delve into the complexities of female relationships.

Roy shared, 'I wanted to focus on a space that has a bigger existence than the people staying inside it.'

Personal Reflections in the Script

The screenplay is not only autobiographical but also reflects Roy's observations since moving to Mumbai in 2022. Elements of Thooya's character resonate with Roy's own experiences, including memories of a childhood friend and complicated familial relationships.

'I realized when I was around 22 that I had been carrying Jhuma in my head,' Roy recounted, expressing her struggles with forgiveness towards her father despite their good relationship.

Empathy and the Female Experience

Roy's insights into the lives of struggling actresses inform Thooya's character, who faces challenges due to her profession. The film aims to portray these women with empathy, shifting the focus from the typical male gaze to the experiences of women.

'I wanted to explore the idea of detachment that women feel towards sex,' Roy explained, highlighting the crisis of sexual identity faced by her characters.

Challenges During Production

Roy encountered difficulties while filming Songs of Forgotten Trees in her own apartment, leading to her eviction on the final day of shooting. This experience influenced the film's narrative, prompting her to incorporate scenes reflecting her real-life challenges.

'The circumstances surprised me and led me in different directions from what I had initially planned,' she noted.

Support and Collaboration

Despite facing funding hurdles, Roy was determined to complete her 77-minute indie film. She collaborated with aspiring actresses Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, who played the lead roles, and they engaged in workshops to deepen their understanding of the script.

'We lived together for a while to understand the complexities and flaws of the script,' Roy shared.

A Surprising Recognition

Roy was taken aback by the selection of her film for the competitive Orrizonti category at the Venice Film Festival, where Songs of Forgotten Trees stands out as the only Indian entry among 19 titles.

'I never thought my film would be in Venice – I am still a student of cinema,' she expressed, feeling grateful for the recognition of her personal storytelling.