“Natoker Moto features an intersection of three types of reality”

“Natoker Moto features an intersection of three types of reality”

“This is the best compliment I can get for my film” 

This is the best compliment I can get for my film

– Mr. Kim Jung Hyun, in reply to a comment stating that his film ‘Daddy, Grandpa and My Lady’ (in Indian Panorama – Non Feature film category) is very much like a feature film.

The film illustrates the intersection and interplay of three types of reality – the real space, the transition from the real to the theatrical space and pure theatre

-      Director Mr. Debesh Chatterjee and lead actor Ms. Paoli Dam, speaking on ‘Natoker Moto’.

These were some of the interesting observations made at the “Meet the Director – Indian Panorama” press conference, held on 26^thNovember, 2015 at IFFI 2015.

Speaking on his transition from theatre and his directorial debut in Bengali cinema, Mr. Debesh Chatterjee said that while the film is inspired by the life and struggle of the legendary Bengal theatre actress Kheya Chakraborty, it is not a 100% biopic. He said that he wrote the script based on three types of reality: that of the the real space, the transition from the real to the theatrical space, and the pure theatrical space. Narrating the long and personal journey behind the film, Mr. Chatterjee said that the film had its origin with his research work on Kheya in 1992, which led to a book and later to a script for theatre. However, he realized that theatrical space was not suited to expression of the realities he wanted to portray, resulting subsequently to ‘Natoker Moto’.

Complimenting Mr. Debesh for his maiden attempt at direction, the renowned actor Ms. Paoli Dam said she never felt that he was doing his debut film; she said that he knew his work well; she added that he had a very clear idea of his script – one which she found to be one of the best scripts she had taken up. Noting that it was a special and long journey for her too, Ms. Paoli narrated how she had to take a five-month long break to study the character and the actor Kheya Chakraborty. The lead actor said that the film led her to a renewed commitment to dedicate her life to the film profession. A childhood theatre artist, she revealed that the film gave her a unique insight into the realm of theatre; she described the experience as an enrichment that inspires her to work for theatrical dramas. Speaking about her stints in drama, the actor said: I used to have these sudden goose bumps where I would find myself lost in my fantasy of acting on stage.

Speaking about ‘Daddy, Grandpa and My Lady’, the director Kim Jung Hyun said that the film has a very simple and universal theme: irrespective of age, man’s longing for a woman in his life never disappears. Responding to a question, he said that he is working on another project set in India. Another of his answers revealed his belief that there are more commonalities than differences in the way men of different ages relate to women.

Backgrounders

1.      Natoker Moto (Indian Panorama – Feature)

Natoker Moto depicts the Kolkata sociocultural circuit spanning the years from 1950 to 1970s. It aspires to show the struggles a female artist has to go through even after two decades of globalization. Through an investigation into the sudden demise of a reputed actress, it an exploration of the ceaseless conflicts a female artist has to experience as she tries to make a place for herself in a male-dominated world.

Through the film, the Director portrays the life and struggle of a legendary actress of Kolkata. It intends to delve into the precise details of the artist’s life so as to expose the obstructions in the way and experience the journey of the artistic soul.

Director - Mr. Debesh Chatterjee has had a long and successful association with Bengali theatre. As an actor, he has acted in various films for over five years. Natoker Moto (Like a Play) is his directorial debut in Bengali cinema.

Actor Ms. Paoli Dam is an accomplished Indian film actress; she has acted in various Bengali, Hindi and Konkani films. She received international acclaim for her role in the 2011 Bengali film Chatrak, which was screened at film festivals in Cannes and Toronto. She made her debut in Bollywood with her much-appreciated role in the film ‘Hate Story’.

2.      Daddy Grandpa and My Lady – Indian Panorama (Non-Feature)

In Daddy, Grandpa and My Lady, a Korean woman Yuna moves into a small Indian city, where the neighbouring house is occupied by an old man who lives with his son and grandson. Yuna is trying to deal with the tragedy of losing her child a few years back and has come to India to work and escape from her pain. All three of her neighbours, both men and the boy, all belonging to different generations, fall in love with her in their own way.

Director Kim Jung Hyun completed his graduation in Film & Media from  Dongguk University, Seoul and did his post-graduation in direction and screenplay writing from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. He resides in the Republic of Korea.

Through the film, the Director wishes to convey that men are the same everywhere; their longing for a woman never disappears no matter how old they are, but the way they deal with it differs as they get older and wiser.

******************

Export the beauty of India and its culture- Pierre Assouline

“Extravagant India” International Indian Film Festival in France 

 Showing of poverty, beggars and slums in the Indian cinema is a myth. A lot of good cinema is being produced in India which needs introduction to the lovers of cinema across the world. This was observed by Pierre Assouline, a noted film producer based in France and India. During his interactions with media at IFFI 2015, Pierre said “Many Indian film-makers have wrong notions that to go in international acceptance, they must show miseries of India and exploitation of women. They think that this is what appeals to the western audience. This is a complete myth”. The French director added that India has so many beautiful dimensions which must be presented before the international audience. 

Referring some of latest experiments being made by new wave directors, he commented that it is matter of great satisfaction that Indian Cinema is coming up to have its place in World Cinema ,though a little late.

Pierre Assouline produced “Vanaprastham directed by Shaji Karun, the famous Malayalam director. The film is considered a classic from India. He is also the President of “Extravagant India”, the film festival being held in France to present independent films from India. It showcases both feature films and documentaries of Indian Cinema from all regions. Besides competition section, the festival also has the section of Indian Classics, Retrospectives and Bollywood. Festival will show case 26 films in all.

To be held in October 2016, at Champs Elysees the grand Indian Festival, will it be taken to other places of France and Netherland. This will be the third edition of the festival

Briefing about the proposed festival, the Director of festival, Gabriele Brennen said “The Festival   has already become the reference for the best of young Indian Cinema and has the ambition to become the door for Europe to the Indian films. She observed “Indian Cinema is extremely beautiful and why the people of France should not be introduced to this?” She said the festival helps to understand Indian Culture across the Europe.

Ramesh Tekwani, the Indian Co-coordinator of the Festival and producer of many outstanding short films and documentary said the festival has introduced whole gamut of Indian Cinema to French people, especially independent cinema. Now the people know that there is more to Indian cinema than just Bollywood. 

*************

National award winning film ‘I Cannot Give You My Forest’ inspired by the issues of Niyamgiri Adivasis

Directors Nandan Saxena, Kavita Bahl, Barun Chanda, Sankar Debnath interact with media at IFFI 2015 

Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl’s film ‘I Cannot Give You My Forest’ is the story of Struggle for the survival of Adivasis in Niyamgiri. The main theme of the film is an intimate poetic window into the lives of the Kondh, the original dwellers (Adivasis) of the forests of Niyamgiri in Odisha State.

“In a simple term this film is about those peoples relationship with the forest”,Kavita stated. It highlights environmental issues and focus on struggle of tribals in day-today life.

The film has won this year’s National award in the category of Best Environmental Film.

Bengali Filmmaker Barun Chanda elaborated about the film ‘ Sohra Bridge’, the Story of a daughter who embarks on a journey, across the remote expanses of North East India, looking for her father. She finds herself drawn towards a complex labyrinth of memory of imagination.

‘Cherrapunji’ is known as ‘Sohara’ by locals. So, the title is inspired from that, said Barun Chanda.

Briefing about his work, Director, Sankar Debnath of ‘Pakaram’ said, “I always searched myself through my work”.  The Bengali film revolves around a 10 year old myriad boy, Tapu. He is forever wandering in a world of dreams and fantasies, and expresses himself and his reveries through his paintings.

Sankar Debnath said, “I wrote the story of Pakaram as an ode to my childhood memories, of dreams and imagination, and of the wonder of the natural surroundings in which I grew.”

**************

Sri Lankan Film Industry witnessing transition in the post war period; Film makers seek more government support 

              Directors of the Sri Lankan Film Dirty, Yellow Darkness Kalpana and Vindana Ariyawansa today said they feel great to be in India on featuring of their first film at the 46^th International Film Festival of India.

             Interacting with media persons at a press conference at Media Centre on the sidelines of IFFI the duo said India Cinema have played a great role in influencing  Sri Lankan cinema. The Sri Lankan Film industry which could not grow initially due to the war period is now witnessing a transition due to west. However, the Srilankan government is not funding the film industry but wants more foreign production of films in the country, said Ariyawansa.

            The film deals with a well-educated Vishwa, who has a successful career in advertising and a beautiful wife, Samadi. But he suffers from severe obsessive compulsive disorder, which he painfully conceals from the world on a daily basis…. Specially, he fears his own urine and feels that it’s contaminating everything around him. Unable to endure his eccentric and strange behaviour, Samadi leaves him and moves in with her parents. Lonely Vishwa loses his job and descends into a life of prescription drug abuse. Vishwa reluctantly admits himself to a public mental hospital, knowing there will be heavy social consequences in a culture that greatly stigmatizes mental illness. At the hospital, Vishwa’s eye-opening and often hilarious encounters with the other patients give him a new appreciation for life, helping him to realize all that he has neglected. His blissful memories of Samadi are reawakened and he insists on returning home after only two weeks with the hope of reuniting with his estranged wife….

Kalpana Ariyawansa : Colombo-born graduated with  a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design in Columbus, Ohio. He worked as a concept and storyboard artist in the animation and ad industries in the US. In 2012, Kalpana worked as assistant scriptwriter and line producer on Prasanna Vithanage’s  With you, without you.  

Vindana Ariyawansa gave up his college career to embark on independent studies in filmmaking while in the US. After returning to SriLanka in 2004, he worked as a consultant in marketing, media and IT technology, and as a copywriter. In 2011, he began writing reviews of Hollywood films for Sri Lanka’s oldest arts newspaper, Sarasaviya.

Ferdinando Cito Filomarino, The Director of the film ‘Antonia’ while interecting with the media persons said his film is being premiered ever, first at the film festival. Filomarino first made a splash in Locarno in 2010 when his atmospheric short “Diarchia” starring Louuis Garrel, Riccardo Scamarcio and Alba Rohrwacher, scooped the Pard of Tomorrow and went on to earn an honorable mention at Sundance. “Antonia” is produced by Luca Guadagnino, whom Filomarino worked for a.d. on “ I am Love”. “Antonia” is similarly set in Milan’s high society, albeit during the 1930s.

Brian Perkins- The Director of the film Golden Kingdom and Jai Hogg, Assistant Director of the film Sunset, Tailgate and Tinted who also interected with media said that the Indian audience will enjoy their films. American filmmaker Brian Perkins has travelled extensively through the remote parts of Asia and India. After creating a network of relationships in the monasteries and villages of Burma---picking up conversational Burmese along the way—he was in a unique position to bring GOLDEN KINGDOM to audiences, meeting all the extreme challenges shooting on location in the country provided.

A student at both New York University and UC-Berkeley, Brian received numerous acknowledgements and prizes during his studies. He has directed numerous music videos in Los Angeles and New York City, and was involved in Alma Harel’s BOMBAY BEACH (2011), which was premiered at the Berlinale and won the Tribeca Film Festival’s top prize that year.

In 2013, Perkins founded Bank and Shoal, an independent feature film production company with offices in the United States and Germany. Bank and Shoal is dedicated to bringing intelligent and impactful projects to audiences in the United States, Europe and the world. GOLDEN KINGDOM is Brian Perkin’s debut feature film.

**************