KOZHIKODE: The endosulfan victims in Kasargod live as real characters in the movie ‘Amoeba’ that has won this year’s state award for the second best film. The second production by ‘Neru samskarika Vedi’ based in Kozhikode, ‘Amoeba’ was shot in a span of just 20 days. It is a textbook for how quality movies can be made with the help of public funding.
“Neru Samskarika Vedi was an extension of Neru Nadakavedi, where director Manoj Kana lived with the tribals of Wayanad and produced plays on them. Manoj had association with the tribals from 2002 onward. Later in 2010, the cultural forum was formed in Kozhikode and with the support of working groups in Wayanad, Kannur, Kasargod, Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam,” says forum president Priyesh Kumar.
After the critical acclaims of ‘Chayilyam,’ the group ventured into ‘Amoeba,’ focussing on the issues being faced by plantation workers in Kasargod and their long-standing fear of becoming victims of endosulfan.
Endosulfan creeps into their entire realms of life, says director Manoj Kana. “Actor Anumol, who did the lead roles in the two movies, performed without remuneration. She is a socially-committed actor. Indrans also did a commendable job as Narayanan, a tea plantation worker. We decided to make it a film and not a documentary, considering the emotional depth of the audience,” said Manoj.
The society accepts funds from other cultural forums and non-resident Indians, says Priyesh. Though ‘Chayilyam’ could not reap in a huge rewards commercially, the love for films united the team again that went on to win the award.
