Assam's Bihu dance to mark opening of Italy's int'l film fest

Two of Assam’s folk dance forms are all set to enthrall an international audience in Italy next week.

Yes, the 45th edition of the annual Giffoni International Film Festival, which kicks off from July 17 at Giffoni Valle Piana in Southern Italy, will be inaugurated by performance of Bihu dance and Bhortal dance.

A group of students from the NPS International School in Assam’s capital town Guwahati had been invited to perform the Bihu and Bhortaal dances during the inauguration ceremony of the event on July 17. Besides, the students would also screen a documentary film titled, “We are same same, but different” directed by them in the prestigious international film festival. 

“It’s a matter of pride for us that our students are going to perform at an event like Giffoni International Film Festival and two of Assam’s most famous folk dance forms will inaugurate the coveted film festival. We are excited and preparations are on under the expert guidance of faculties of the school,” said JN Das, Director of the NPS International School, located in Guwahati.

Das explained that the documentary directed by the students, which will also be screened at the festival, is based on the theme of racial discrimination of people from the northeastern part of India in other parts of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangaluru or any other cities in ‘mainland India’. 

It may be mentioned here that the Giffoni International Film Festival is the largest children’s film festival in Europe, and possibly in the world.