Debut Director Anuparna Roy Awarded at Venice for ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’

Anuparna Roy’s directorial debut, ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees,’ has been honored with the Orizzonti Award for Best Director at the 82nd Venice Film Festival. Anurag Kashyap presented the award to Roy. Roy shared her thoughts on the achievement, hoping the film would touch the hearts of women everywhere. She dedicated the award to women whose voices are often unheard. Producer Bibhanshu Rai acknowledged the challenges faced during the film’s production, emphasizing the dedication required to bring the story to life. Producer Romil Modi stated that supporting female filmmakers is crucial, as their stories offer profound strength and honesty. Ranjan Singh from Flip Films highlighted that Roy’s initial concept of a human drama successfully led to the film’s creation. ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ represented India in the Orizzonti section and was highly acclaimed by the jury and audiences alike. The film’s producers are Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, and it stars Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel. The story focuses on the lives of two women and their intertwined journeys in Mumbai. The official synopsis describes the lives of Thooya, a migrant and aspiring actress, who uses her beauty and wit to survive, and Swetha, another migrant, who works in a corporate setting. They develop a unique connection. The synopsis further mentions that despite their separate backgrounds, they find silent empathy within the city’s environment.