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Indian Film Wins French Award Despite Cuts
1 Feb
Summary
- Indian documentary 'Redlight to Limelight' won a Grand Prix at France's FIPADOC.
- CBFC-mandated cuts removed scenes featuring animals from the film.
- Director Bipuljit Basu expressed sadness over edited versions for Indian audiences.
Bipuljit Basu's documentary, 'Redlight to Limelight,' has been honored with the Grand Prix Award at the prestigious FIPADOC festival in France. This significant international recognition, however, is shadowed by Basu's profound disappointment with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India.
The CBFC's norms required specific cuts to the film, leading to the removal of scenes involving a tortoise, a rat, and street catfights within the Kalighat brothel setting. While Basu complied with the advisory to avoid conflict, he laments that Indian viewers will experience a compromised version.
Basu highlighted that these animals were co-inhabitants of the brothel and integral to portraying the lives of its residents. The film's editor, Anirban Maity, echoed these sentiments, explaining that the deleted scenes were crucial for establishing an emotional connection with the audience. He noted that even Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms will likely screen the censored version, raising concerns about artistic integrity in non-fiction filmmaking.
Basu dedicated this award to the mothers and children of the Kalighat brothel, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the film. Key contributors included co-producer Uldis Cekulis, who accepted the award in France, and producer Nilotpal Majumdar.
