Rima Das’ new film to be premiered at Toronto International Film Festival

After winning hearts with the internationally acclaimed Village Rockstars and Bulbul Can Sing, National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das’ new film Tora’s Husband will also be premiered at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). It is Rima’s third independent feature film in the Assamese language to make its world premiere at the festival. This time it is the first Indian film to premiere in the Platform section. The festival will be held between September 8 and 18. 

Shot during the lockdown, Tora’s Husband depicts life in a small town during the pandemic. The film, which features Abhijit Das and Tarali Kalita Das in the lead roles, is a story of a loving father and a kind neighbour. He struggles to keep his small-town business afloat while his relationships deteriorate amidst loss and lockdowns. 

The writer-director-producer made the film independently, with a small crew. Sharing her journey, Rima says, “The story of my protagonist reflects my journey living and working amidst the pandemic. Amid loss, lockdowns and life, we shot the film for over 2 years in real locations and natural conditions. Shooting this film was more challenging than shooting my previous films because the pandemic restricts you in many ways. There was this constant feeling of fear and restlessness, which my characters also depict. But I knew I just had to shoot this film, as this time will become history one day.”

Rima paid tribute to her father, Bharat Chandra Das in the film whom she lost during the pandemic. “I lost my father during the early days of shooting the film. I dedicate this film to my father and all those who have lost their loved ones during the pandemic,” she added.

Named after Jia Zhang-ke’s film Platform, this director-driven section pushes the boundaries of narrative filmmaking in surprising and rigorous ways, using documentary or experimental techniques in their approaches. Those films tackle some of the most urgent concerns using original, exciting cinematic language.