The Cloud and the Man (also known as Manikbabur Megh) is a Bengali film directed by debutant director Abhinandan Banerjee and produced by Buaddhayan and Monalisa Mukherji.[1] Actor Chandan Sen who portrayed the title role bagged the Best Actor Award at the 19th Pacific Meridian Film Festival, Russia.[2][3]
| The Cloud and the Man | |
|---|---|
| মানিকবাবুর মেঘ | |
| Directed by | Abhinandan Banerjee |
| Written by | Abhinandan Banerjee |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Anup Singh |
| Edited by | Abhro Banerjee |
| Music by | Subhajit Mukherjee |
Production company | Little Lamb Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 Minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Bengali |
Cast
edit- Chandan Sen as Manik Babu
- Debesh Roychowdhury as Kali
- Bratya Basu as Dr. Sadhan
- Nimai Ghosh as Madhab
- Arun Guhatharkurta
- Arya Mallick
Plot
editUsing monochrome cinematography, The Cloud and the Man is a surreal and philosophical reflection on one recently-bereaved middle aged man and his accidentally complex yet meaningful relationship with a cloud. It is about Manik Babu, who makes friends with a cloud which he feels, keeps following him.[4] In the beginning, he is terrified but with time, he feels a strange bonding with the same cloud which strips him of his utter isolation, his loneliness and his alienation from the world around him.[5] This surreal relation brings out a new Manik in him and propels him into a roller coaster journey of faith, betrayal, belief, and warmth.[6]
Release
editThe film released in theaters in West Bengal on 12 July 2024.[7]
Awards and Nominations
editIt had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival[8] where it opened the First Feature competition in Nov 2021. The Indian Premiere was at IFFI, Goa[9] and the North American Premiere took place at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
The film finds place in the coveted list of FIPRESCI India's Top 10 Films of 2021 [10] and has won the NETPAC award for the Best Asian Film at the 27th Kolkata International Film Festival, 2022.[11] It also bagged the Chidananda Dasgupta Award and a citation for a feature film by a debut director for the 2nd year of the Chidananda Dasgupta Centenary Awards.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Loneliness is almost like a pandemic now, my film has its origin in the curse of loneliness on us: Director of IFFI 52 Film "Manikbabur Megh"". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Manikbabur Megh: Actor Chandan Sen wins the Best Actor Award at a Russian film festival". OTTPlay. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ সংবাদদাতা, নিজস্ব. "মেঘের সঙ্গে প্রেম, আন্তর্জাতিক মঞ্চে চমক নতুন বাংলা ছবি 'মানিকবাবুর মেঘ'". www.anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Manik Babur Megh - SRFSB". 24 August 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "The Cloud & The Man (Manikbabur Megh) - film review". DMovies. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ A.K, Arun (24 October 2022). "The Story of a Man's Friendship With a Cloud". Hyperallergic. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Manikbabur Megh gears up for a hall release with a brand new song by Anirban Bhattacharya". OTTPlay. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ "The Cloud & the Man". poff.ee. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Kolkata-based director's debut film to be screened at Edinburgh Film Festival". www.telegraphindia.com. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "FIPRESCI-India announces Grand-Prix-2021". Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ "Winners of 2021 - Kolkata International Film Festival". kiff.in. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ^ Journal, North East Film (24 November 2022). "Film Review: Abhinandan Banerjee's Manik Babur Megh: Winner of the Chidananda Dasgupta Centenary Award for the Best Debut Feature Film". North East Film Journal. Retrieved 29 November 2023.