The Malayalam movie Veyil Marangal (Trees Under the Sun) by filmmaker Bijukumar Damodaran, aka Dr Biju, won the best artistic achievement award at the 22nd Shanghai International Film Festival. This is Dr Biju’s 10th film. His previous works have also won several international awards.
What is the objective of this movie?
The story focuses on the lives of a Dalit family from Kerala who move to Himachal Pradesh after a natural disaster. There, they work in apple orchards under severe climactic conditions. I wanted the viewers to understand the struggle faced by families of labourers.
What were some of the challenges faced while making the movie?
Everything from weather to logistics has been a challenge. We worked for one and a half years to complete the movie. It was like a battle. We have shown floods in the movie, but this was shot before the Kerala floods last year. A coincidence, I say. The entire crew put their heart and soul into it to finish this project with perfection. I can proudly say that our hard work paid off in the end. It was a battle we won.
What inspired you to make Veyil Marangal?
I wanted to focus on the lives of labourers. I also wanted to subtly touch upon the issue of caste discrimination and the struggles associated with it. I make movies for me. There will always be people who criticise the cast, the script, the direction and everything else about the movie. But the most important thing for me is that I like the movie and that it impresses me.
Does Veyil Marangal set the bar high for your next project?
Veyil Marangal was one among 3,964 entries from 112 countries at the Shanghai festival, out of which 14 were selected to compete for the Golden Goblet. It was the only entry from India. I feel awards and recognition increase responsibility. This one has certainly set the bar high for my next project. But I am excited about the future.