Shillong, Dec 13: Ha Lyngkha Bneng – The Elysian Field, the latest Khasi-language film by award-winning filmmaker Pradip Kurbah, was screened in Shillong on Friday drawing attention to Meghalaya’s growing presence on the global independent cinema map.
The screening, held at St. Anthony’s College, was organised by the Department of Mass Media in collaboration with Kurbah Films, Hello Meghalaya, and Ka Knup Creatives. The event brought together filmmakers, students, cultural practitioners, and government representatives.
Speaking at the event, director Pradip Kurbah reflected on how audiences engage with his films. “Every person has their own way of looking at a film. They bring their own perspective, and for me as a filmmaker, that makes the experience richer,” he said, adding that he hopes wider audiences will embrace the film despite changing viewing habits shaped by OTT platforms.
The film traces the lives of six individuals living in Meghalaya’s quiet countryside, exploring themes of longing, isolation, shifting relationships, and existential anxiety—set against a landscape where realism blends with mysticism.
Bah Paul Lyngdoh, Advisor to the Social Welfare Department, described the film as a powerful reflection of contemporary society. “It captures the angst of a society living on the verge of collapse and mirrors what is actually unfolding in present-day Meghalaya,” he said.
Actor Melvin Mukhim, who features in the film, said The Elysian Field goes beyond conventional storytelling. “It is a meditation on identity, belonging, and the unseen worlds that shape our understanding of life, rooted deeply in Khasi imagination and philosophy. The film honours our heritage while speaking a universal cinematic language,” he noted.
Audience members praised the film for its originality and its nuanced portrayal of isolation, fear, mortality, and moments of understated humour that drew spontaneous laughter.
The screening also highlighted the role of Hello Meghalaya, which continues to support the state’s creative ecosystem through its grant programme, enabling filmmakers to tell stories rooted in Meghalaya’s cultures, languages, and landscapes.
The Meghalaya government has increasingly positioned cinema as a cultural and economic driver. Through the Hello Meghalaya OTT platform, filmmakers receive financial support ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹35 lakh. So far, 48 films have received grants and are scheduled for release in the coming months.
Ha Lyngkha Bneng – The Elysian Field recently won the Golden St. George for Best Film and Best Director at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) and also received the NETPAC Award for Best Asian Film at the 2025 Moscow International Film Festival.
Officials said the film’s international success is expected to encourage more filmmakers from the state, signalling a promising phase for cinema in Meghalaya.
