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 'Movement of Life' wins 'Special Jury' in the 13th International Documentary Film Festival- Rashmita Adhikarie-mail: punarjjaniculturalcentre@gmail.com Photos courtesy: Riyom Centre for Manipuri Dance September 24, 2025  A special recognition in the field of performing arts went this year to a short documentary that moved the jury at the 13th International Documentary Film Festival Noida. Honored with a Special Jury Mention in the 15-minute category, the film, 'Movement of Life', an initiative of Riyom Society shines a spotlight on Shrobhana Mitra Das, a dancer, teacher, and movement therapist whose work reveals how dance can be far more than performance- it can be therapy, healing, and liberation. The documentary begins with a simple but powerful truth: movement is life. From a baby's first stirrings in the womb to the unrestrained gestures of childhood, the body is wired to move. Yet, as social norms and restraints take hold, that freedom often diminishes. Through intimate visuals and candid testimonies, the film captures how Das helps people rediscover that freedom, treating dance not as a display of grace alone but as a language of the soul. The festival itself opened at Marwah Studios, Film City, with the cultural vibrancy that has become its hallmark. Now in its 13th edition, the International Documentary Film Festival Noida brought together 135 films from India and countries as diverse as Cuba, Italy, Israel, Mexico, and Morocco. Under the leadership of Festival President Dr. Sandeep Marwah, the event welcomed filmmakers, scholars, cultural delegates, and cinephiles to exchange ideas on how documentaries continue to reflect and reshape society. More than a showcase, the festival was a dialogue - each documentary offering perspectives on identity, heritage, politics, and personal journeys. The jury praised the honesty and urgency of the stories presented, many of which resonated across borders and cultures. In the halls and foyers of Marwah Studios, the event became not just a celebration of cinema, but a gathering that reaffirmed film's role as a vital medium for awareness and change.  At its core, the festival was not just about screening films but about creating a dialogue. Each documentary offered perspectives on identity, heritage, politics, and personal journeys. The jury were truly mesmerized to witness stories told with honesty and urgency - stories that resonate across borders and cultures. As conversations unfolded in the halls of Marwah Studios, the festival became a meeting ground where cinema was celebrated not as entertainment alone, but as a vital medium for awareness and change. What sets the film 'Movement of Life', an initiative of Riyom centre for Manipuri Dance and Movement Therapy, apart is its weaving together of Indian classical traditions, particularly Manipuri, with modern techniques of movement therapy. The precise hand gestures of classical dance are portrayed not only as cultural artifacts but also as therapeutic tools that enhance coordination and emotional release. The rhythmic stamping of feet, deeply rooted in classical training, is shown as a cathartic channel for anger and frustration. The film underscores how such practices ground individuals, reconnect them with their bodies, and provide a sense of stability in a restless world.  Through its narrative, the documentary highlights the three layers of movement therapy: moving alone, moving with a partner, and moving within a group. Each setting opens doors to a different kind of growth - introspection, trust-building, or collective strength. In groups, the energy is electric, pushing participants beyond their limits and fostering social bonds. In pairs, dance becomes an exercise in vulnerability and trust. Alone, it becomes a spiritual dialogue with oneself. These sequences were filmed with a quiet sensitivity, allowing the audience to experience not just the movements but the emotions that flow through them. The recognition of this film at the festival is more than just an award. It is a validation of the performing arts as vital forces in contemporary life. In an era where speed and screens dominate daily routines, the film makes a compelling case for returning to the body, to rhythm, and to movement as a source of healing and community. As the 13th edition of the festival concluded, it left behind an important reminder by honoring a film that places dance at the intersection of art, therapy, and identity. The festival affirmed its mission: to spotlight stories that matter and to celebrate the profound ways in which cinema can touch lives.  Rashmita Adhikari is a freelance writer with a lifelong passion for storytelling. Having completed her Master's in Sociology, she is deeply interested in arts and culture, continuously exploring these subjects to enrich her writing. Rashmita is currently working as content editor at Punarjjani Bharat. |
