Speedway

Village Rockstars 2

Village Rockstars 2
Official poster
Directed byRima Das
Written byRima Das
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRima Das
Edited byRima Das
Music byPallab Talukdar
Production
companies
  • Flying River Films
  • Akanga Film Asia
Distributed byFlying River Films
Release date
  • 4 October 2024 (2024-10-04) (BIFF)
Running time
108 minutes
Countries
  • India
  • Singapore
LanguageAssamese

Village Rockstars 2 is a 2024 Indian-Singapore Assamese language coming-of-age drama film written, edited, produced and directed by Rima Das. Sequel to Village Rockstars (2017), revisits the life of Dhunu, seven years after the events of the last film.[1]

The film premiered at the 29th Busan International Film Festival on 4 October 2024 competing in the Kim Jiseok section,[2] where it won Kim Jiseok Award.[3]

Synopsis

Dhunu, now in her late teens, still climbs trees, swims, and most importantly, dreams of continuing her childhood life as a guitarist in her rock band. However, life does not unfold as Dhunu wishes. As she faces the bitter and sour moments of life, she stands on the threshold of leaving her once-happy childhood behind.

Cast

  • Bhanita Das as Dhunu
  • Basanti Das as Maa
  • Manabendra Das as Manab, Dhunu's elder brother
  • Boloram Das as Bolo
  • Bhaskar Das as Bhaskar
  • Junumoni Boro as Junu
  • Bishnu Kalita as Bishnu

Release

Village Rockstars 2 had its world premiere at 29th Busan International Film Festival on 4 October 2024.[4] It was also selected for the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024, where it competed in the South Asia Competition section.[5]

It was selected at the 2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025 under the International Competition: Fiction section and was screened on 8 February 2025.[6]

The film was selected in the Generation 14plus section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it had its European premiere on 16 February 2025.[7][8]

Reception

Nikki Baughan reviewing the film for ScreenDaily praised Bhanita Das for giving "a low-key, naturalistic performance conveying Dhunu’s deep connection to this land and her family". Baughan felt that the Rima Das has given "subtle approach" to the film which "extends to every element of Village Rockstars 2, giving it the feeling of a documentary." Baughan opined that "Rima Das has used the narrative as a way of amplifying the struggles of the people of Assam, which is bearing the effects of climate change and cut-throat battle for land and resources."[9] Kalpajyoti Bhuyan in his review for High on Films sums up how the "Heart of Nature and Weight of Life" finds focus in Village Rockstars 2. He also adds that the film sends out a strong ecological message as it blends "art and activism". "Filmmaker Rima Das has also previously criticized the Assam government’s decision to fell thousands of trees along NH 17 for the construction of four lanes. It’s only fitting that her voice of protest comes out in her film as well", he added.[10][11]

Accolades

The film competed for Kim Jiseok award at Busan International Film Festival, which is given to 2 films from the selected 10 films in the competition category for the Asian directors who have directed more than 3 feature films, and present their new film for premiere in the festival.

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Busan International Film Festival 11 October 2024 Kim Jiseok Award Rima Das Won [3][12]
MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 24 October 2024 South Asia Competition Nominated [5]
Berlin International Film Festival 23 February 2025 Grand Prize for Best Film Nominated [13][14]

References

  1. ^ "Village Rockstars 2". Busan International Film Festival. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  2. ^ Merican, Sara (27 August 2024). "Busan Competition Titles Include Films By Brillante Mendoza, Rima Das & Tom Lin". Deadline. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. ^ a b Shackleton, Liz (10 October 2024). "Korea's 'The Land Of Morning Calm', Myanmar's 'MA Cry Of Silence' Win New Currents Awards At Busan". Deadline. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  4. ^ "Rima Das' 'Village Rockstars 2' to compete for Kim Jiseok Award at Busan International Film Festival". The Hindu. 27 August 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  5. ^ a b Scroll Staff (9 October 2024). "MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will open with Payal Kapadia's 'All We Imagine as Light'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  6. ^ "2nd Eikhoigi Imphal International Film Festival 2025 Official Selection List" (PDF). eiiff.org. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  7. ^ Ntim, Zac (17 December 2024). "Berlin Film Festival: Michel Gondry & Ira Sachs Among Names Set For Competition Sidebars". Deadline. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  8. ^ "Village Rockstars 2". Berlinale. 4 February 2025. Retrieved 5 February 2025.
  9. ^ Baughan, Nikki (4 October 2024). "'Village Rockstars 2': Busan Review". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  10. ^ Bhuyan, Kalpa Jyoti (23 February 2025). "Village Rockstars 2 (2024) 'Berlinale' Movie Review: Heart of Nature and Weight of Life Finds Focus in Rima Das's Sequel Which Bridges Art and Activism". High On Films. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  11. ^ "Adil, Rima protest move to cut over 1k trees to expand NH-17". The Times of India. 28 October 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 4 March 2025.
  12. ^ Gani, Abdul (27 August 2024). "'Village Rockstars 2' by Rima Das only Indian feature in Jiseok Competition at 29th Busan International Film Festival". The Assam Tribune. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  13. ^ Ntim, Zac (16 January 2025). "Justin Kurzel Series 'The Narrow Road To The Deep North' Starring Jacob Elordi Among Titles Added To Berlinale Lineup". Deadline. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  14. ^ "Generation 2025 – Wresting Meaning from the World". Berlinale. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
Quelle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_Rockstars_2