‘Once Upon A Time In Calcutta’ marks Aditya’s return to Venice International Film Festival after his debut film, ‘Labour of Love’ (‘Asha Jaoar Majhe’), premiered in the Venice Days section, along with films by veterans such as Kim Ki-duk and Laurent Cantet. Sengupta had won the Fedeora award for best debut. His second film, ‘Jonaki’, had premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2018. Inspired by true events, this film pays homage to the city of Kolkata. Along with Sreelekha Mitra and Bratya Basu, the film also features an ensemble cast including Satrajit Sarkar, Arindam Ghosh, Reetika Nondine Shimu, Anirban Chakrabarti and Shayak Roy. A cast of non-professional actors, including Sengupta’s own father, Tridib Sengupta, have also featured in significant roles.
The film has been shot by Palm d’Or winner, Nuri Bilge Ceylan’s cinematographer, Gokhan Tiryaki. The music has been composed by Dutch composer, Minco Eggersman. Speaking about the selection, Sengupta said, “Venice is a dream festival for any filmmaker and we are extremely grateful and excited to be back with a Bengali film about the city, especially on the 100 birth centenary of Satyajit Ray.” It follows the life of a bereaved mother trying to desperately find a new identity, love and independence. But soon she realizes that she is not the only scavenger in a city brimming with hunger. After the loss of her daughter, Ela not only loses her identity as a mother, but also the only reason to be with her husband. When she is refused a home loan by the bank, her boss, owner of a massive ponzi scheme, makes her an offer she struggles to accept. Ela reconnects with her stepbrother to reclaim her half of an old family theatre, but he refuses, blaming Ela for his own dark fate. In between all this, Ela’s childhood sweetheart resurfaces and gives her the warmth and hope for a new beginning. Just as Ela starts living the life she had dreamed for herself, she realises that she isn’t the only scavenger in the city brimming with hunger.
According to the director, “This film is a culmination of personal feelings and emotions for Kolkata and its people, especially as it tries to catch up to the rapidly changing world. Leveraging real characters and actual events, the film is my effort to chip away the various layers of the previously communist city to reveal a human condition that is tragic and yet full of hope and joy. The film highlights the aspirations and struggles of people gasping for breath in an ever-expanding metropolis. For the viewer, I have tried to create a real glimpse into the murky waters of Kolkata, with colourful characters, all trying very hard to find a corner of their own without drowning.”
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/once-upon-a-time-in-calcutta-to-compete-in-venice/articleshow/84756607.cms
