Village Rockstars 2 wins Kim Jiseok Award for “Best Film”
Village Rockstars 2, the sequel to Rima Das’s National Award-winning film, wins the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award for “Best Film” at the 29th Busan International Film Festival.
The sequel to Village Rockstars, Rima Das’s heartfelt and poetic exploration of rural life, has bagged the prestigious Kim Jiseok Award for “Best Film” at the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). This highly coveted accolade cements Das’s place among the pantheon of distinguished Indian filmmakers, making her only the third Indian to claim this honour, following in the footsteps of Aparna Sen and Pradip Kurbah.
Now, before you ask, “Kim Ji-who?”—let me explain. This award, named in memory of Kim Jiseok, a man who spent his life championing Asian cinema, is a feather in the cap of any filmmaker with aspirations beyond the usual red carpets and cocktail parties. And Das is chuffed to bits. “It’s a privilege,” she says, clearly over the moon about receiving this honour at one of the biggest film festivals in Asia. Of course, as any proud filmmaker worth their salt would, she thanked the jury, her team, her cast, her family, the bloke who made her tea in the mornings—you get the drift.
The film, which had its world premiere at the festival, was the only Indian feature selected. And let’s not be coy about it—Village Rockstars 2 was up against some serious contenders, but it stole the show, winning over the jury with its “honest poetic expression of everyday life.” Not bad for a humble film from Assam, eh?
The sequel picks up where the original Village Rockstars left off, once again following the life of a young girl, struggling yet surviving, harmoniously existing with nature despite life’s curveballs. The jury, comprising Christian Jeune, Prasanna Vithanage, and Shin Suwon, praised its delicate portrayal of the human spirit and the unique bond between people and the natural world—a bit of a rarity in today’s blockbuster-laden cinema landscape, wouldn’t you say?
Of course, Das’s journey to this moment wasn’t all sunshine and roses. She admitted it was “risky” to create a sequel to an independent film, particularly one that was already celebrated for its raw authenticity. “It was a bold decision to maintain the purity of the first film,” she remarked, sounding rather like a brave captain steering her ship through turbulent waters. But it seems her gamble has paid off handsomely. Though, for all you eager fans already asking about Village Rockstars 3—steady on! It might be a while yet before she goes down that road again.
For now, Village Rockstars 2 is on its way to the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, where it will make its Indian premiere in the South Asia Competition. So, if you’re in Mumbai between 19th and 24th October, you might want to keep an eye out. After all, how often do you get the chance to witness cinema that combines art with heart?
As the sequel is set to make waves across India, Das expressed her gratitude to the Busan festival for the platform, the jury for recognising the beauty of her film, and her entire team for their relentless support over the last four years. And not to forget Bhanita Das, who stars in the film and, by all accounts, delivers yet another stellar performance.
Rima Das, already an international sensation after the original Village Rockstars snagged the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2018 and was India’s official entry to the Oscars, seems poised to continue her winning streak. One can only imagine where her filmmaking journey will lead next. So, as the credits roll on this chapter, let’s raise a glass to her—because if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s that she’s only just getting started. Cheers to that!
Information and Cover picture sources Assam Tribune.
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