'Village Rockstars' becomes India's official entry to Oscars 2019

Rima Das’ Assamese film Village Rockstars has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 91st Academy Awards, marking a major international recognition for the independent filmmaker and Assamese cinema.

The decision was announced in Mumbai on Saturday by the Film Federation of India (FFI). An all-India jury headed by Kannada film producer Rajendra Singh Babu selected the film as India’s submission for the 2019 Oscars.

Set in Das’ native village of Chhaygaon in Assam, Village Rockstars follows a group of children growing up in difficult economic circumstances but finding happiness, friendship and adventure in their everyday lives. At the heart of the story is a young girl who dreams of owning a guitar and forming her own rock band.

The film's strength lies in its naturalistic storytelling and its portrayal of rural life without relying heavily on conventional cinematic techniques. Das shot much of the film in and around her own village and worked with several non-professional actors, giving the story an intimate and authentic feel.

Village Rockstars had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival before receiving its India premiere at the Mumbai Film Festival. Its growing recognition continued when it won the Best Feature Film award at the 65th National Film Awards.

The Oscar selection was particularly significant for Assamese cinema, as it brought a story rooted in a small village in Assam onto one of the world's biggest film platforms.

The 91st Academy Awards were scheduled to be held on February 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. The film was India's submission to the Academy's foreign-language film competition, where it competed for a place among the final Oscar nominees.