Kolkata Filmmaker's Documentary on Migrant Workers Earns Prestigious Swiss Festival Slot
In a significant achievement for Indian cinema, Soumya Mukhopadhyay's documentary film 'A Chronicle of the Lost' has been selected to compete at Visions du Réel, one of Switzerland's most prestigious documentary festivals. The film, which delves into the profound themes of loss and longing experienced by migrant workers, stands out as the only South Asian entry in the International Medium Length & Short Film Competition.
A Poetic Exploration of Displacement and Memory
Based on heartfelt testimonies from former migrant workers, this Hindi-language film follows a fictional protagonist—a migrant laborer wandering through Kolkata's abandoned jute mills. With a voiceover that reads aloud poignant letters to his wife left behind in the village, the narrative captures the emotional turmoil of displacement. Director Mukhopadhyay explained, "My film is anchored in the historical disappearance of Bhikhari Paswan and his wife, Lalti Devi, both workers at the now-shut Victoria Jute Mill, but it does not seek a factual reconstruction. Instead, it constructs an imaginary protagonist, a dramatised figure shaped by the testimonies, memories, and uncertainties shared by multiple workers during the research process."
Unique Aesthetic and Technical Choices
Shot partially on a vintage 1950-made 16mm camera, the film employs a hybrid documentary style that blends monochrome tints with colored visuals, creating a visually striking experience. The cinematography by Manas Bhattacharyya, combined with voiceovers by Vijay Patidar and Bhumisuta Das, sound design by Dibakar Saha, music by Tajdar Junaid and Mohit Shankar, and editing by Amit Ray, contributes to its artistic depth. Mukhopadhyay noted, "Analogue images carry the residue of repetition and history, while digital images confront the immediacy of the present. Shot extensively inside functioning, shuttered, and abandoned jute mills, these spaces are treated not as backdrops but as material witnesses to labour, neglect, and erasure."
Authentic Locations and Narrative Approach
The 25-minute film gains authenticity from its filming locations, including the shadowy portico of Chhaya cinema, the haunting emptiness of Bauria's Gloster Jute Mill, Khardah's NJMC Jute Mill, Sankrail's National Jute Mill, and the daily life scenes at Mallikbazar ghat and Uttarapara's Patni ghat. Rather than adopting an activist model, the director uses stylistic experiments to explore existential issues plaguing migrant laborers, such as unpaid labor, factory closures, and forced migration. This approach avoids romanticizing loss, instead adding a poignant feel to the narrative through its unhurried pace and performances by actors Sraman Chatterjee and Katha Nandi.
Years of Fieldwork and Cultural Impact
Emerging from years of fieldwork along the Hooghly River and numerous conversations with jute mill workers, 'A Chronicle of the Lost' highlights how working-class lives often vanish without acknowledgment. Its selection at Visions du Réel not only showcases Kolkata's rich cinematic talent but also brings global attention to the struggles of migrant communities in India. This film serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and unseen stories of laborers, making it a must-watch for audiences interested in social issues and artistic innovation.
