Debut director Anuparna Roy, the recipient of the Best Director Orizzonti Award at the 82nd Venice Film Festival for her movie “Songs of Forgotten Trees,” has reiterated her solidarity with Palestine post a speech controversy. Hailing from Purulia, Roy garnered attention by including a segment about Palestine in her speech, sparking a contentious dialogue in India.
“I stand by my words at the festival. My remarks were meant to highlight global injustices. Supporting Palestine and opposing injustice does not diminish my Indianness. Some may think this is the first time I’ve spoken about it, but that’s not the case. I brought up Palestine when accepting an award in Russia,” Roy shared with ANI.
She disclosed that she had received counsel against making such statements from her mentor, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and her producers.
“Some argue that I was influenced by Anurag Kashyap, but it was my producers, mentor, and Anurag Kashyap himself who advised me not to broach the topic. Despite their advice, I chose to express my views,” Roy clarified.