Sydney Film Festival 2024 to feature Indian documentary 'Nocturnes'

A still from Film 'Nocturnes' Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival

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Directed by Anirban Dutta and Anupama Srinivasan, the film 'Nocturnes' explores the hidden world of moths. Scientist Mansi Mungee and her indigenous assistant Bicki, who belongs to the local Bugun tribe, observe and study these mysterious creatures in the dense forests of the Eastern Himalayan region of Arunachal Pradesh in India.

In an interview with SBS Hindi, Anupama Srinivasan emphasized that 'Nocturnes' delves into interconnected layers of observation.

She explained that the film focuses on Mansi's research and subtly highlights the impacts of climate change. Srinivasan also mentioned that the filmmakers intentionally crafted a narrative to help viewers connect with nature and the fascinating world of moths. The aim of the film is to bring a sense of positivity through creative art.

It's about reconnecting with nature, immersing yourself in its beautiful world and the interconnections of the natural world. Also, we still have this vast flora and fauna of the forest. Not everything is lost.
Filmmaker Anirban Dutta

Mr. Dutta added that the film seeks to reconnect people with nature and provide them with unique experiences they may not typically encounter.

Still from 'Nocturnes'; Credit: Supplied by Sydney Film Festival Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival

Anirban Dutta explained how a meeting with ecologist Mansi in the mountain area and learning about her passion for small, evanescent nocturnal creatures like moths inspired them to bring it to the big screen.

When we observed how Mansi used the white screen and blue light to attract the moths, and the way she explained the whole process of her research, we were attracted to it
Filmmaker Anirban Dutta

“We didn't know much about moths at all. The more time we spent with them and learned about their mysterious lives, the more we fell in love with them,” Ms. Srinivasan added.

Mr. Dutta pointed out that their film provides a glimpse of the amazing journey of Mansi's work, which she has dedicated years to and is still ongoing.

Tune in here for the Interview with Anupama Srinivasan and Anirban Dutta :-

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hindi_300524_film_nocturnes_interview.mp3

11:34

Anupama Srinivasan and Anirban Dutta, the co-directors of the film 'Nocturnes,' expressed that the film provides an opportunity for the audience to immerse themselves in the natural environment and experience the subtle, rhythmic movements and the symphony of sounds.

Still from film Nocturnes. Scientist Mansi and her Indigenous assistant Bicki observe the white screen. Credit: Supplied by Sydney Film Festival Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival

Anirban Dutta is a filmmaker, still photographer, and media educator based in Delhi, India. He has directed and produced several documentary films that have travelled to various film festivals and has created many photographic essays on diverse topics.

Anirban Dutta, director of Nocturnes, Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival

Anupama Srinivasan is a filmmaker, film educator, and curator based in Delhi, India. She has been making documentaries for the past two decades. She was also the Festival Director of the IAWRT (International Association of Women in Radio & Television) Asian Women’s Film Festival for three years (2013-15).

Anupama Srinivasan, director of Nocturnes Source: Supplied / Sydney Film Festival

Their co-directed feature documentary, 'Flickering Lights,' won the Best Cinematography Award at the IDFA (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam) international competition in 2023. 'Nocturnes' will have an Australian premiere at the Sydney Film Festival 2024 (5 June - 16 June).

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