‘I want to make movies about the northeast’

Riah Taipodia grew up in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland before moving to Meghalaya to pursue her college education. It is these rich personal experiences she gained over the years in the northeast that the 27-year-old filmmaker, who is currently pursuing a diploma in animation cinema at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, aims to bring to a wider audience through her movies. Taipodia, whose short film Khiew Ranei (Black Clay) is going to be screened at Village Square’s Chitrashaala short film festival, tells us more about her art, her inspiration and her dreams. 

WS: Your film Khiew Ranei also has elements of animation in it. How did you get interested in filmmaking and animation? 

RT: Growing up, I always loved watching Disney movies and was amazed by how much a simple drawing had the power to bring out so many emotions. But it never occurred to me that animation was something I could take up professionally. I also had no idea if there was any place in India where I could learn animation. 

Then, when I was in my early teens, I watched Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away for the first time and the film moved me in so many ways that I just knew animation was something I had to do. Eventually, I signed up for a Mass Communication course at St. Anthony’s College in Shillong and graduated from there before getting into Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute to pursue animation. 

WS: You grew up in Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Did both these places play a part in shaping your dreams of becoming a visual artist?

RT: Definitely. I grew up listening to the folktales from both places and it left a huge impression on me. These folktales often have a world of their own and take you places.

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I remember the first time when I joined my animation cinema course in Kolkata, one of my professors asked me what motivated me to join the course and I replied, “To tell stories of the northeast.” Throughout my course, I’ve tried to incorporate elements of northeast and my experience into any personal project that I’m working on.

WS: Who or where do you draw your inspirations from?

RT: My biggest inspiration would definitely be Hayao Miyazaki, the founder of Studio Ghibli. He is a master in storytelling through animation and combining folk with modern stories.

I’m also inspired by the animation studio Cartoon Saloon which has produced amazing animated films like Song of the Sea, Wolfwalkers, Breadwinner, etc. 

WS: Your film Khiew Ranei (Black Clay) is going to be screened at the Chitrashaala Short Film Festival. How do you feel about the screening? How many times has your film been screened in festivals?

RT: I’m very excited to bring my film to its first screening in Delhi and I can’t wait for it. So far, Khiew Ranei has gone to seven  film festivals and it was adjudged the Best Non-fiction film at the Chalchitra Film festival, 2023  and received the second Best Director award in Northeast India International Film Festival, 2024.

WS: Can you tell us a little bit about your film and what inspired you to make it?

RT: The film celebrates the local knowledge and heritage of black clay pottery; a traditional craft that has been passed down through generations of women artisans from Meghalaya. It showcases the intricate process of making this pottery while also documenting the familial inter-relationships among the skilled artisans.

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As for the inspiration, I’ve always been intrigued by the matrilineal society of Meghalaya and when I heard about the women artisans being the sole practitioners of this craft, I knew I had to work on it. 

WS: What was the biggest challenge while making this film?

RT: The film is set in Larnai village in Meghalaya. The biggest problem I faced while making this documentary was probably the language barrier with the subject. However, with time, you build a relationship with them and the barrier can go out the window. Having a local translator and guide also helped a lot.

Another big challenge was travelling back and forth to Shillong from Kolkata and shooting the film on a shoestring budget. 

WS: Any words of advice for students who are planning to go down the same road?

RT: I feel that anybody looking to pursue this exciting career path should always remember that there is a lot of patience and hard work that needs to be put in. It’s also very important not to lose sight of your passion for telling stories even when times get hard. 

WS: What do you want to achieve as a filmmaker?

RT: I want to be able to tell more stories from the northeast through good quality animation that not only finds its audience among children but also among young adults.

Hopefully, through my work, I’ll be able to inspire the younger generations to tell their stories too.

Also Read: Here’s a film that takes masks of Majuli to the people

Village Square’s Chitrashaala short film festival focuses on stories from rural India.
Date: August 3, 2024 
Venue: Alliance Francaise, Lodhi Road, New Delhi

The lead image on top shows filmmaker Riah Taipodia. (Photo by Worngachan A Shatsang) 

Worngachan A Shatsang is a freelance journalist based in Ukhrul, Manipur. He writes about football, rural life, farming and environmental issues. He is a Rural Media Fellow 2022 at Youth Hub, Village Square.