Busan’s Asian project market will host the latest feature “Moon” by Pradip Kurba, the Indian director produced by Shankar Largoenka, with multiple companies. Between the mist-stained hills of Meghalaya and the restless streets of Delhi, the psychological drama examines the memories, guilt and silence that shape a broken family.
The film overshadows the man who returns to his village after years of separation, the man who once knew him, his violent past. After facing the abuser and returning to the family that raised her as a boy, the woman returns from Delhi. When their paths cross in the rain, they find old wounds, ghostly beings, and vulnerable connections in unresolved trauma.
Kurba says that the inspiration for the film comes from the everyday sadness and unfinished life he witnessed in his hometown. “As a filmmaker from Meghalaya, I wanted to talk about where those silences are, not only in places where the past is heavy, but in places where small moments of love and memory still exist,” he says. He added that the story delves into “the quest for guilt and peace,” showing how the implicit burden erodes the mind and how the silence itself is destructive.
The director emphasizes the role of the landscape in shaping the story. “In the “Moon”, the rain is more than the weather, and it’s a mirror of what the characters feel. Sometimes it is purified, sometimes it becomes heavy and heavy. Fog, forests, grey sky – they move with the story, showing feelings that cannot be spoken,” explains Kurbah.
Kurbah’s previous feature “Market” (“ïwduh”), premiering at the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, provided a grounded portrait of Shillong’s street life. His latest work, Elysian Field (Harinkabunen), won the best film and director at the 47th Moscow International Film Festival, highlighting the growing international recognition.
Producer Goenka, who previously worked with Kurbah on “The Market,” said he was confident in the integrity of the script. “It’s rare to find scripts that speak very strongly about the land while carrying emotions that everyone can relate to. Goenka pointed out that support has already arisen from Hello Meghalaya, a government-started streaming platform, and the strategy is to first build visibility through international festivals. “Our goal is to use APM as a platform to connect with international co-producers, sales agents and distributors who understand the value of local films,” he says.
He added that the multinational structure of the project will ensure a balance of overall creative, fundraising and logistics needs. “Each company contributes based on its strengths. Some focus on the creative process, while others handle fundraising, logistics and international outreach. By sharing responsibility, we ensure that the project is balanced and ensure that every stage from production to release is given the right attention,” says Goenka.
Combining regional idiosyncrasies and universal emotions, the “Moon” aims to bring Meghalaya’s rhythm to the international stage. “The story is honest and deeply rooted in the land, but it speaks of emotions that anyone can connect with. I’m sure it stands out on the festival circuit.”
