The North East of India is a collection of seven states, the seven sisters some call them. But, they are neglected and often not even considered a part of India, by many regions. The reasons for this are many and often unknown. They may look different and have a culture that is mostly worlds apart from the main regions of India, closer to China and other South East Asian countries, but they are Indian as they come in many ways.
With this in mind, and after years of facing isolation, filmmakers from the North East are hoping to use their medium as a way to gain more recognition for the region. From the well-known Manju Borah, to Nilanjan Datta, movies by these directors are a way to put a focus on the life and struggles of the people from the North East.
Via film, people can get glimpses into the soul of the North East, showcasing how their rich culture is eroding over time, their political rights stripped away and their economic status slowly losing ground, as they struggle with insurgency and more.
This is possibly the best way for the rest of India to realise that this part of the country has a rich culture, proud and hardworking residents, many of whom have now made Goa their home. But, they still need respect and recognition, which can only come when we understand who they are and where they come from.
