Tamil films bring a dose of reality to festival

CHENNAI: Adalit forced to carry his father’s corpse along a thorny road because he is not allowed to walk through the thoroughfare; a scavenger who cannot find a bride because of his job; and a young man who tells his mother he is gay and is disowned. Three films — ‘Manusangada’ (Cry Humanity), ‘Oru Kuppai Kathai’ (One Filthy Story), ‘En Magan Magizvan’ (My Son is Gay) — with diverse themes share similar stories. All three directors had struggled to get the films started but their works have now been appreciated at film festivals and will see commercial releases Tamil Nadu in 2018.

All based on true stories, and made by new filmmakers, the films are among 150 movies being screened at the 2017 Chennai International film Festival (CIFF). ‘Oru Kuppai Kathai,’ said director

Kaali Rangasami

, was funded by his schoolmates and friends who believed in the story. After failed attempts at crowdfunding, ‘En Magan Magizvan’ director Lokesh Kumar managed to find a buyer in Mumbai. And ‘Manusangada’ director Amshan Kumar said he had to fund the film himself until a friend offered help. The film, featured at festivals in Mumbai and

Cairo

, is based on the true story of a dalit, debarred from carrying his deceased father through a common pathway in his village for burial, moving the high court in 2016. “I hope the film will sensitise people to human rights violations that take place in their backyard,” said Amsham.

Rangasami said his film was based on a scavenger who struggled to find a bride as no one respected the work he did. “The film has now been picked up by production house Red Giant for release in January,” said Rangasami. Lokesh said his film had been dubbed in Hindi and got a U/A certificate.