Shillong, May 4: The information and public relations minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh has sought a report on the selection of state representatives to Cannes.
The Cannes Film Festival ( Poster in picture featuring French cinema Icon Catherine Deneuve) is from May 16 to 27.
The selection of Commander Shangpliang and Nicholas Kharkongor to represent state at Cannes has courted controversy.
The selection was after the names of film makers Dominic Sangma and Pradip Kurbah were recommended by the state Information and Public Relations department.
DIPR replies to Ampareen
The reply received from DIPR director to the minister is reproduced below.
“In DIPR, we received only one application from Mr Pradip Kurbah and Mr Dominic Sangma till the last date, that’s 26/04/2023. So we forwarded the same to IPR Deptt for approval. Accordingly, their names were approved by the department. However, the other two names which finally appeared in the selected list of Govt. Of India, we have no idea as they didn’t approach us. We don’t really know who recommended their names”.
When asked about the follow up action, the minister said, “Will decide”.
Controversy over Meghalaya Film Festival
Shangpliang, who directed a few commercial movies, recently organised the controversial Meghalaya International Film Festival which did not attract many movie enthusiasts.
Lack of transparency is also alleged in money spent for the festival organised with a budget of over Rs 1.50 crore.
Initially 65 films were to be screened in 4 screens. Then the number was reduced to around 40. The brochure of the festival had glaring errors.
Sources said that Rs 25 lakh was spent for a curtain raiser for the film festival in Mumbai.
Another curtain raiser was organised in Tura.
Kharkongor, who is yet to produce any movie based on Meghalaya themes, was last seen in Shillong for the Meghalaya International Film Festival.
His films as director are Fair and Lowly, Mantra and Axone.
