Noted filmmaker Himansu Sekhar Khatua, the present Director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and the Ex-CMD KalingaTV has a number of laurels in his list of innumerable achievements.
'The Sea and Seven Villages', a long documentary by the director has now been officially selected for two film festivals back-to-back, the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala and Jagran Film Fest.
The documentary that has been directed by him, 'The Sea and Seven Villages' showcases the impact of climate change and its impact on the Satabhaya village cluster. Satabhaya, once a cluster of seven villages and is said to be the first region affected due to climate change. Five villages have been washed away over the passage of time. The documentary depicts the life and struggle of the residents. This long documentary has been produced by Iti Samanta and presented by Achyuta Samanta under the banner of Kadambini Media.
'The Sea and Seven Villages' shall be showcased in the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), one of the prominent film festivals of India, hosted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.
In addition to this the documentary has also been selected for the Jagran Traveling Film Festival which is organized by Jagran Publishing Group. This film festival will showcase the documentary in different metro cities for hundreds days in eleven states throughout India.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua is deeply rooted to Odisha. He is a native of Khatuapatna in Bhadrak but, he is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He started his career as a professional audiographer but later moved into film direction. Khatua moved into film direction independently with his debut film Shunya Swaroopa (Contours of the void) which was showcased in International film festivals including International Film Festival Rotterdam (Netherlands), Kinotavr (Sochi International Film Festival, Russia), Gothenburg Film Festival (Sweden), and Cinema Jove International Film Festival, Valencia (Spain).
Himansu has received National Awards for two of his directed movies Sunya Swaroop and Kathantara in 1996 and 2005 respectively. Other than these Khatua has directed a number of other short films and documentaries which have been well received and appreciated in various national forums.
Director's Note
Today, we gather to tell a story that transcends the boundaries of our imagination and touches upon the profound realities faced by communities devastated by the relentless forces of nature. Our film, "The Sea & Seven Villages," delves deep into the harrowing experiences of the Satavaya villages that were swept away by sea erosion. This is a tale of resilience, loss, and the unbreakable human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
As a director, it is my responsibility to ensure that we approach this project with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the people whose lives were forever altered. We must honor their stories, shed light on their struggles, and offer a platform for their voices to be heard. Our objective is to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of climate change and emphasize the urgent need for global action.
To achieve this, we must delve into meticulous research and immerse ourselves in the experiences of those affected. The stories of the villagers, their culture, their dreams, and their indomitable spirit will serve as the cornerstone of our film. We must capture the essence of their lives before the tragedy and the profound impact of their loss, highlighting both their shared humanity and the unique beauty of their community.
Visually, our film will be a stunning portrayal of the vastness and power of the sea. We will juxtapose the serenity of the ocean with its potential for destruction, using evocative imagery to convey the fragility of human existence in the face of nature's might. Through our cinematography, we will paint a hauntingly beautiful picture that embodies the emotional turmoil experienced by the villagers.
The screenplay should evoke empathy from our audience, immersing them in the lives of the characters and their struggles. We will explore themes of grief, resilience, and the power of community, intertwining personal narratives with the larger story of climate change and its consequences. Let us ensure that every line of dialogue and every scene drives home the urgency and necessity for change.
Collaboration will be key in bringing this story to life. We must work closely with the local communities and experts who have experienced similar situations, learning from their wisdom and incorporating their insights into our creative process. Their guidance will be invaluable in ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of our storytelling.
Lastly, I implore each and every one of you to approach this project with compassion and empathy. Let us be mindful of the weight of this subject matter and the responsibility we bear as storytellers. Our film has the power to educate, inspire, and mobilize change. Together, let us create a cinematic experience that honors the resilience of the Satavaya villages and instills hope in the face of adversity
Photo Gallery
The Sea and Seven Villages
About the Movie
Noted filmmaker Himansu Sekhar Khatua, the present Director of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI) and the Ex-CMD KalingaTV has a number of laurels in his list of innumerable achievements.
'The Sea and Seven Villages', a long documentary by the director has now been officially selected for two film festivals back-to-back, the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala and Jagran Film Fest.
The documentary that has been directed by him, 'The Sea and Seven Villages' showcases the impact of climate change and its impact on the Satabhaya village cluster. Satabhaya, once a cluster of seven villages and is said to be the first region affected due to climate change. Five villages have been washed away over the passage of time. The documentary depicts the life and struggle of the residents. This long documentary has been produced by Iti Samanta and presented by Achyuta Samanta under the banner of Kadambini Media.
'The Sea and Seven Villages' shall be showcased in the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), one of the prominent film festivals of India, hosted by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy on behalf of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala.
In addition to this the documentary has also been selected for the Jagran Traveling Film Festival which is organized by Jagran Publishing Group. This film festival will showcase the documentary in different metro cities for hundreds days in eleven states throughout India.
Himansu Sekhar Khatua is deeply rooted to Odisha. He is a native of Khatuapatna in Bhadrak but, he is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. He started his career as a professional audiographer but later moved into film direction. Khatua moved into film direction independently with his debut film Shunya Swaroopa (Contours of the void) which was showcased in International film festivals including International Film Festival Rotterdam (Netherlands), Kinotavr (Sochi International Film Festival, Russia), Gothenburg Film Festival (Sweden), and Cinema Jove International Film Festival, Valencia (Spain).
Himansu has received National Awards for two of his directed movies Sunya Swaroop and Kathantara in 1996 and 2005 respectively. Other than these Khatua has directed a number of other short films and documentaries which have been well received and appreciated in various national forums.
Director's Note
Today, we gather to tell a story that transcends the boundaries of our imagination and touches upon the profound realities faced by communities devastated by the relentless forces of nature. Our film, "The Sea & Seven Villages," delves deep into the harrowing experiences of the Satavaya villages that were swept away by sea erosion. This is a tale of resilience, loss, and the unbreakable human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
As a director, it is my responsibility to ensure that we approach this project with the utmost sensitivity and respect for the people whose lives were forever altered. We must honor their stories, shed light on their struggles, and offer a platform for their voices to be heard. Our objective is to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of climate change and emphasize the urgent need for global action.
To achieve this, we must delve into meticulous research and immerse ourselves in the experiences of those affected. The stories of the villagers, their culture, their dreams, and their indomitable spirit will serve as the cornerstone of our film. We must capture the essence of their lives before the tragedy and the profound impact of their loss, highlighting both their shared humanity and the unique beauty of their community.
Visually, our film will be a stunning portrayal of the vastness and power of the sea. We will juxtapose the serenity of the ocean with its potential for destruction, using evocative imagery to convey the fragility of human existence in the face of nature's might. Through our cinematography, we will paint a hauntingly beautiful picture that embodies the emotional turmoil experienced by the villagers.
The screenplay should evoke empathy from our audience, immersing them in the lives of the characters and their struggles. We will explore themes of grief, resilience, and the power of community, intertwining personal narratives with the larger story of climate change and its consequences. Let us ensure that every line of dialogue and every scene drives home the urgency and necessity for change.
Collaboration will be key in bringing this story to life. We must work closely with the local communities and experts who have experienced similar situations, learning from their wisdom and incorporating their insights into our creative process. Their guidance will be invaluable in ensuring the authenticity and accuracy of our storytelling.
Lastly, I implore each and every one of you to approach this project with compassion and empathy. Let us be mindful of the weight of this subject matter and the responsibility we bear as storytellers. Our film has the power to educate, inspire, and mobilize change. Together, let us create a cinematic experience that honors the resilience of the Satavaya villages and instills hope in the face of adversity