Kolkata hosted a special private screening of a significant documentary on Monday. The film played at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI). This documentary carries the title 'To Die A Frenchman'. It represents the only Indian film to achieve a world premiere at the prestigious International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).
A Story of Identity and History
Director Pankaj Rishi Kumar created this work. The film follows the life of a remarkable individual. This man, Monsieur Mounissamy, firmly identified as French. He claimed this identity through birth, spirit, memory, and personal hope. His story questions the historical merger of the French colony in Puducherry with India.
From One Film to Another
Kumar first traveled to Puducherry in 2012. His initial goal was to document the Tamil French community voting in French presidential elections. During the making of his first film, 'Two Flags', he encountered Mounissamy. The man presented a complete counter-argument to prevailing narratives.
"Many people felt deep disillusionment," Kumar explained. "They were let down by both French actions and Indian government policies. That profound sense of betrayal motivated me. I decided to pursue his unique story independently from my first project."
Connecting to Chandernagore
Kumar believes the film holds special relevance for Chandernagore. This town was home to the first group of French settlement residents. They agreed to the merger through a democratic process. However, the director notes a potential point of contention.
"What might upset current Chandernagore residents," Kumar said, "is the specific manner of the French withdrawal from India. The film examines that complex departure."
Technical Excellence and Historical Opening
The documentary benefits from a skilled technical team. Basab Mullik, Tangella Madhavi, and Fatema Kagalwala served as fine cut consultants. Ritajit Raychaudhuri worked as the colourist. Pritam Das handled sound mixing duties.
The film opens with a historical retelling. It describes how Puducherry flourished under French administration. The region earned the famous nickname 'A Pearl on the Coromandel Coast'.
"But everything changed in 1962," Kumar added. "The French simply packed their flag and left. They presented the people with a stark choice – remain or belong. It was a defining moment."
A Quiet Rebellion
The documentary captures a profound human experience. Some individuals went to sleep as official subjects of France. They woke up the next day feeling like strangers in their own homeland. Mounissamy refused to accept this silence.
He led an organization named the Senior Citizens of French Origin. His life represents a form of quiet, almost invisible rebellion. Tangella Madhavi, a consultant on the film, reflected on its core.
"The film captures this struggle with great tenderness," Tangella said. "It is about a man who refused to let history erase him. His fight centered on dignity, belonging, and a painful question. Where do you truly come from when history has fractured your identity?"
The SRFTI screening connected the film to Kolkata's vibrant cultural scene. The institute itself contributed crew members to the documentary's production. This event highlighted ongoing conversations about colonial legacies, personal identity, and national history in modern India.
