Anuparna Roy Shines in Orizzonti Section with Songs of Forgotten Trees
Venice, Italy: Indian filmmaker Anuparna Roy has made waves at the prestigious 82nd Venice Film Festival by winning the Best Director award in the Orizzonti section, which spotlights fresh voices and independent cinema.
Her acclaimed film Songs of Forgotten Trees — the sole Indian entry in this competitive category — tells a poignant tale of two migrant women navigating life in Mumbai’s sprawling metropolis. The honor was announced by Julia Ducournau, President of the Orizzonti Jury.
Anuparna Roy wins Best Director award at #VeniceFilmFestival for #SongsofForgottenTrees
“I was trying to understand the complexity of the relationship of a woman with another woman,” Roy said in a conversation with Nandini Ramnath.
Read full interview: https://t.co/T41h05zFrF pic.twitter.com/Oxa0WUvkVR
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Meanwhile, veteran American director Jim Jarmusch claimed the festival’s highest accolade, the Golden Lion for Best Film, for Father Mother Sister Brother, an evocative exploration of family ties spanning New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris. The Silver Lion went to The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisia’s Kaouther Ben Hania, based on the tragic true story of a young Palestinian girl killed in the Gaza conflict.
In acting honors, Italy’s Toni Servillo won Best Actor for his portrayal of a weary president in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia, while Chinese star Xin Zhilei earned Best Actress for her powerful role in The Sun Rises On Us All. Benny Safdie took home Best Director in the main competition for The Smashing Machine, and Italian documentarian Gianfranco Rosi was awarded a special jury prize for his black-and-white documentary Below the Clouds.
Impact of Anuparna Roy’s Win on Indian Cinema
Anuparna Roy’s victory highlights the growing global recognition of Indian independent cinema. Her focus on social issues, particularly the challenges faced by migrant women, brings a fresh and authentic voice to international audiences, inspiring new filmmakers across the country.
