By Rajkumar Bobichand
Films are very influential to the society. Film is one of the most effective mass media. We know that all media technologies that are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication are collectively known as mass media. Electronic media transmit their information electronically and comprise television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other devices like cameras and video consoles.
Films affect us powerfully because the synergistic impact of music, dialogue, lighting, camera angles and sound effects enables a film to bypass our ordinary defensive censors. They draw us into the viewing experience and at the same time – often more easily than in real life – afford a unique opportunity to retain a perspective outside the experience.
Although the number of native speakers of Manipuri language can be approximated around 2 million, Manipuri documentary and feature films have been managing to find a place in the world of film not only in India but also internationally. A number of Manipuri documentary and feature films had brought awards during the celluloid era of Manipuri film. As a vacuum of films surfaced when the public screening and viewing of Hindi films were banned, creative, innovative and talented Manipuri youths started producing Manipuri music albums in digital format. Then, again, at one time when the Manipuri music albums were also banned, the talented, innovative entrepreneurs of Manipuri society creatively adapted to the context of the society and Information Technology, and sudden growth of Manipuri digital films came up. Many sceptics expressed the sustainability of Manipuri digital films taking the small market of Manipuri film into account. But Manipuri digital films not only can survive but also earn international recognitions now. This is why film is an indispensible part of the society. This is a part of the dynamic culture. Films can play a pivotal role in the society. It is very important. So, we cannot and should not take it easily just as a medium for entertainment.
Because there are advantages and dangers of films in helping us understand and learn cultures and shaping the mindset of the growing minds. As intercultural film specialist, Ellen Summerfield says that film can increase our knowledge about our own and other cultures but film can also misinform, distort, and lie. Film can raise awareness, awaken interest in and curiosity about our own and other cultures but film can also provide superficial experiences. Film can allow us to experience other cultures but film can also provide superficial experiences. Film can enhance our cross-cultural skills (e.g. empathy, listening, and mindfulness) but film can also cause us to fear, dislike, or minimize human differences. Film can develop critical thinking but film can also oversimplify; lull critical skills. Film can develop media literacy but film can encourage passive reception. Film can speak to and evoke emotions and desensitise. Film can make communication patterns (verbal and non-verbal) visible but film can also perpetuate negative patterns of communication. Film can make intercultural concepts visible (e.g. culture shock and assimilation) but film can also trivialise or domesticate human differences. Film can make visible and challenge our values; reduce ethnocentrism but film can also reinforce ethnocentrism. Film can bring to light multiple perspectives but film can reinforce a single perspective. Film can voice to the voiceless; allow new voices to be heard but film can also establish the “voice of authority”. Film can expose and undo stereotypes but film can also create or reinforce stereotypes. Film can give us permission to talk about sensitive and controversial issues; create common basis for discussion but film can also cause a dispute or blow-up – create hard feelings; cause us to feel hurt/offended/angry. Film can reveal our common humanity; create bonds but film can also incite fear and hatred; reinforce notions of “enemy”. Film can create hope but film can also create feelings of hopelessness. Film can provide positive role models but film can also provide negative role models. Film can advocate for peace and justice; promote responsible action but film can also cause us to feel immobilised; promote irresponsible action. Film can leave lasting positive images but film can also leave lasting negative images.
How influential are the films to the society is once again shown by the recently circulated Manipuri digital film, Yaiskul gi Pakhang Angaoba. The impact of the film to the growing minds is so strong that even a little kid now gives the remark, dashaani-he!, even without knowing the meaning of the loan word to Manipuri language. The growing minds of Manipuri society now use the remark knowingly or unknowingly the relevancy of the vocabulary. The growing minds are very quick to learn the vocabularies used and the behaviours portrayed in Manipuri films. Most of the parents and elders of Manipur society now might have the experience of growing minds using the vocabularies even indecent words…! Now, growing minds of Manipur are very quick to learn and apply the vocabularies, behaviours and images portrayed in the films. Even those who are not experiencing the film start using the vocabularies, following the behaviours and imitating the models portrayed in the films. This doesn’t mean that the Manipuri films are bad but needs to be serious and careful and farsighted the possible negative impacts of the vocabularies to be used, behaviours and images to be portrayed. Manipuri Film Makers, Please Take Care!
