Filmmaker Bijaya Jena from Odisha launches trailer of 'Winter Interlude' at Cannes Film Festival

In another proud moment for the State, National award-winning filmmaker from Odisha, Bijaya Jena launched the trailer of her upcoming short film 'Winter Interlude' at the Cannes Film Festival.

The English-language short film was shot in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. The launch was at the Indian Pavilion on 21st May. 

The short film has a subtle anti-war message on how devastating events can rip families apart. While the last few years coupled with the global epidemic have had a deep impact on human lives, ‘Winter Interlude’ hopes to act as a ray of hope and shed light on how human beings still strive for connection. 

It hopes to act as a ray of hope and light on how human beings still strive for connection. #War #pandemic #Ukraine Here is the promo https://t.co/I9P9KvgZJv

— Bijaya Jena (@jena_bijaya) May 23, 2023

As per the story plot, after the pandemic claims the life of a Bengali woman’s estranged husband, she is forced to travel to his workplace in Estonia where she ends up bonding with his employer whose family is in Ukraine. 

The cast and crew include famous Estonian actor Ott Aardam, Indian filmmaker and actress Bijaya Jena and American composer Gene Pritsker of 'Cloud Atlas' and ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ fame. 

After the production of the short film was completed in April 2023, it was sent to several international film festivals such as Locarno, Venice, Toronto, Valladolid, and Busan.

Bijaya co-wrote and produced National Award Winning short film Tara (Odia) in 1992. She also scripted, acted, directed and produced several other short films in Hindi and English languages. Furthermore, she has also been a part of several popular movies like Hakim Babu (Odia), Jaga Balia (Odia), Heera Nila (Odia), Razia Sultan (Hindi), Holi (Hindi) and TV serials like Jantar Mantar, Param Veer Chakra and Vikram Aur Betaal.