Guwahati: In a major milestone for Assamese cinema, Hiraeth, an evocative drama written, shot, and directed by Chow Partha Borgohain, has been selected for the prestigious in-competition category at the 16th Chicago South Asian Film Festival (CSAFF).
The film will debut globally at the festival, to be held from September 14 to 21, with its opening night set for September 19 in downtown Chicago, followed by a closing ceremony on September 21 .
Set against the haunting reality of a rural flood, Hiraeth unfolds the poignant journey of Pori, a village woman reluctantly uprooted to the city, where she and her husband battle severe poverty, systemic inequality, and exploitation. Through her resilience, the film sheds light on the marginalized whose labor often goes unseen .
The film features compelling performances by Meghali Kalita, Ashim Kumar Sharma, and Atanu Mahanta in lead roles, supported by a talented ensemble including Dipankar Sharma, Archana Bezbaruah, Vishwa Kinkar Baruah, Hemanta Rajkonwar, Smritirekha Chetia Handique, Pradipta Pran Bhattacharya, Rimjhim Deka, Rumi Sharma Pathak, and Bhoirab Phukan .
Expressing gratitude at the selection, Borgohain shared, “This story is for all those who live with dignity despite hardship… Through Pori’s journey, I only hope to spark reflection on the inequalities we have come to accept as normal.”
Hiraeth will be India’s latest entry spotlighting regional stories at an international festival, particularly noted for its authentic embedding in social realism. The film was largely shot in Dibrugarh, Assam staying true to the terrain that shaped its narrative.
Borgohain born in Along, Arunachal Pradesh in 1986 brings to Hiraeth not just a director’s vision but a skilled cinematographer’s eye. After schooling across various districts in Arunachal, his formal education in visual arts took him to Madras Christian College, followed by Mindscreen Film Institute in Chennai. Since 2014, he has been working independently as a cinematographer and director, building his craft with a deep engagement with Northeast India’s stories .
Hiraeth’s inclusion in CSAFF’s competitive slate not only elevates Assamese filmmaking on a global stage but also promises to ignite renewed attention to stories rooted in lived regional realities.