Big screen debut for students – Inox host to wannabe spielbergs

The production team of Subha in front of Inox on Wednesday. A Telegraph picture

Darjeeling, June 4: The swanky auditorium at Inox here was bustling with activity at nine this morning. But the packed hall had not come to watch the latest Steven Spielberg movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, currently being screened at the multiplex here.

Rather, the attraction was a number of wannabe Spielbergs, who took their first wobbling steps. Three graduating films made by the students of St Joseph’s College (North Point) made it to the big screen for the first time today.

“We always used to joke that one day our films would be screened in this auditorium and when it actually happened, the emotions were too big,” said Mikma Tshering Lepcha, the music composer of Subha, which deals with child molestation.

Lepcha, however, said the students had no watertight roles as directors or editors. Everybody switched roles according to the film’s requirements.

The first graduating batch from the department of mass communication and journalism in North Point were divided into three groups, each consisting of nine students, who were asked to make “proper” films.

“The show they have put up today has made us proud. They still have to travel a long way but the early steps are encouraging,” said Vikram Rai, a lecturer of the department.

The other film, A Thin Line, was based on the trials and tribulations of teenagers. It also explored the problems faced by gays. Except for the third film 13 13, which ran precisely 13 minutes and 13 seconds, the other two were about 20-25 minutes each.

For students like Gayatri Bhandari from Bhutan, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I am now confident that I can go the distance. I want to return to my country and do something,” he said. [The Telegraph]