Kolkata cinematographer goes to Cannes

Ever since she received an email on Friday night, cinematographer Modhura Palit has been on cloud nine. And why not! The 28-year-old Kolkata girl has become the first Indian to be chosen for the 2019 Angenieux Special Encouragement at the Pierre Angenieux ExcelLens in Cinematography ceremony at Festival de Cannes. “It is a great feeling because I had no inkling that they will choose me for this prestigious award. I’m a member of the Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective (IWCC), based in India. We are in touch with other international collectives as well. They must have come to know about me there. They saw my work on the page and chose me,” said the cinematographer of projects like The Paper Boy, The Watchmaker, The Girl Across The Stream and Meet Sohee.

The award, usually known to recognise well-known cinematographers for their lifetime achievements, has started a new section from last year wherein they are encouraging young talents in the field. Modhura will be the first Indian cinematographer to receive the award in its second year on May 24. Young Chinese cinematographer Cecile Zhang was the first recipient of the Angénieux Special Encouragement on the occasion of Angénieux’s Tribute to Ed Lachman ceremony last year.

“Awards are always important. It’s the validation that we all work for. Global recognition is even more encouraging because we constantly strive to take our work to international standards,” said Modhura, adding, “It is one thing to persevere in hope of an award someday and another high altogether when you have received one and look forward to many more. It’s like tasting blood. Your drive to do good work doubles.”

Meanwhile, celebrated cinematographer Avik Mukhopadhyay, who has recently shot Badla, said, “I’m sure it’s a great encouragement for a young cinematographer. It’s good that such collaborative organisations and companies have been recently associated with

Cannes film festival

and are therefore extending the scope beyond established productions.”