Tora’s Husband: Rima Das’ Assamese feature receives a positive response at the Toronto International Film Festival

The World Premiere of National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das’ fourth Assamese feature, Tora’s Husband at the 47th Toronto International Film Festival, received a heartwarming response. The film is Rima’s third feature to be premiered at the TIFF in a row and the first Indian film to be selected in the Platform section. Named after Jia Zhang-ke's ground-breaking film Platform, this section aims to shine a brighter light on some of the most original films and distinct voices at the festival. This year, the festival began on September 8. 

After TIFF, Tora’s Husband will head to the 27th Busan International Film Festival where it will be having its Asia Premiere in the ‘Window to Asian Cinema’ section. The festival will be held from October 5-14. 

The film that features Abhijit Das and Tarali Kalita Das in the lead roles is a story of a loving father and a kind neighbour who struggles to keep his small-town business afloat while his relationships deteriorate amid the lockdown. Shot during the lockdown, the film depicts life in a small town during the pandemic. 

The writer-director-producer made the film independently, with a small crew. Talking about the audience's response Rima says, “Tora’s Husband was my most challenging film. It is different from my other films, longer as well. Shooting during the pandemic took a toll on the cast and crew emotionally. Even at the edit table, I was struggling because the film reflected the same restless state of mind. Agnes Varda once said, ‘I’m fighting a struggle, which is to make cinema alive and not just make another film’. That thought kept motivating me to keep going, take risks, and be true to myself. I am thankful that TIFF selected this film. It means a lot for all of us who worked really hard to make this film happen.”

Rima excitedly adds, “After two years, I am at a film festival in person. And it gives me immense joy to see such a large and diverse audience, distinguished artistes, journalists, buyers, and sellers gather to celebrate cinema. It’s a grand event with the same community feeling as watching a sport or a concert. How much I missed the echo of laughter, the silent tears, the goosebumps – knowing that you’re in it together.”