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Lessons learnt from film festivals
Planned, efficient organization with limited resources
By Cecil Pinto
In the last few days I have seen some impressive movies at the five
day Tri Continental Film Festival on Human Rights organized by Moving
Images at the International. Centre Goa. But one thing bothers me.
In a horizontal, as opposed to inclined, auditorium why do people bend
forward and hunch their shoulders when leaving/entering the room
during a screening? It would make sense if this in some way helped not
block the screen, but it doesn't. That can only be avoided if you
crawl out on your hands and knees, which action would bring about more
audience distraction than one had set out to avoid. In fact if one had
to walk upright one would disturb viewing for exactly 172 nanoseconds
for each disturbee (he / she whose viewing path you crossed). But by
creeping out, or in, all hunched up you are occupying more horizontal
space and thus block the screen for 281 nanoseconds per disturbee.
These of course are my rough average computations but I think this
matter needs serious study.
Jokes aside though I wish I had planned ahead and kept more time to
imbibe of more movies. Hats off to Anjali, Alito, Gayatri, Amita,
Salil, Jonathan, Edson and whoever else was involved in organizing
this film festival with such finesse. Those clueless bumbling
incompetents at the IFFI should maybe take some consultancy from
Moving Images. Then maybe we will get our Movie Guides before the IFFI
commences and not three days into the festival, and also maybe the
whole registration process will be faster instead of the long queues
and confusion we saw last year.
The first movie I saw was "Say Amen" by David Deri, a young Israeli
gay who video filmed himself and his orthodox family while attempting
to explain to them his sexuality. Fantastic movie. In the moderated
discussion, which follows every movie, we analysed, among other
things, how the director/ protagonist also sneakily used the camera as
a defense mechanism against his family's shocked reactions. With a
camera recording every word and action the family members have to hide
their horror and put an appearance of political correctness as far as
possible.
I'm wondering if such a technique would work in less traumatic, but
important nevertheless, domestic situations. For example:
"Honey, please sit here, closer to the light"
"Why you putting your camcorder on top of the TV? Hey! That's me on
the TV!! Why you filming me?"
"I'm filming both of us. There see, look at the TV. Now I'm sitting
on the sofa next to you."
"Ok! But why are you filming this? Get your #&[EMAIL PROTECTED] filthy legs off
my
clean cushions. Now!"
"Honey, you're on TV. You're being recorded. Be careful what you say."
"Oh! Ok. But why this recording?"
"Now listen carefully sweetheart."
"How come you're suddenly all honey and sweetheart? Just because of the camera?"
"You remember that 50,000 rupees we had saved and kept aside towards
buying a new car?"
"Sure. And I've just managed to scrape together another 5,000 rupees
to add to it. In another three months we will have the down payment.
The kids will be the most happy to see a new car finally after years
of second-hand cars."
"Err honey. You know that Japanese Magnetic Mattress thing that
Johnas was involved in?"
"Yes that *#&[EMAIL PROTECTED] bloody con game at Porvorim. What happened?"
"Honey mind your language. You're on TV."
"Oh! Ok!"
"So Johnas wanted out of that business and was going to Kuwait."
"Yes I know. And he went to Kuwait. So?"
"Sit down. Please sit down."
"Ok!"
"So I will say this fast. But remember you're on TV."
"Ok!"
"I bought out Johnas' business membership, and his used mattress, with
the 50,000 rupees. And now I can't find anyone to buy more mattresses,
nor can I sell the old one."
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!"
"Before you say anything remember you're on TV!"
"#&[EMAIL PROTECTED] you and Johnas and the bloody TV!!Arrrrghhh!! "
"Heelloo! Honey urk crik!You can't strangle me on live TV. Help!!
Haaalppp!! Urk beh wht yrk lkkk fpllles aaaaaaaaaaa!!"
So much for that. It didn't work. Where were we? Film festivals. What
made the festival so much more meaningful was the discussion after
each movie. Intelligent, insightful and mostly moderated by subject
experts (Alito Sequeira, Dilip Loundo and Frederick Noronha for
example) who brought a certain depth to our understanding and
appreciation of the film.
Another interesting documentary was "Between the Lines – India's Third
Gender" by Thomas Wartmann about the Hijras in Mumbai. Nicely made
movie that certainly helped dismiss many myths about this fascinating
but loathed community. I for one didn't know that all of them are not
castrated, and get that done voluntary sometimes many years after
being active as a Hijra. In a time when the conventional rules are
being questioned, regarding what is the 'normal' nature of human
sexuality, it is good to study the third gender. They may give us a
better understanding of ourselves. Maybe Bollywood could give us a
multistarrer called "Chhakka de India"?
The last movie of the festival was "John & Jane" by Ashim Ahluwalia
about young people employed at call centres, and the American aliases
and identities they have to assume. A very well produced and
disturbing documentary. Are we reaping the benefits of globalisation
at the cost of our own identities? Where do these young people go from
here? Is it demeaning to call females working in such centres call
girls? How many young Goans are working in call centres in Mumbai? Are
their parents blown because they are earning more per month then they
ever did?
It was fascinating to see how the new recruits are trained to
understand, and speak in, an American accent. Maybe we here in Goa
could redress the balance a bit by insisting that visiting overseas
tourists learn to understand Goan English accents and grammar. After
all we can't be expected to learn Welsh, Swedish, Scotch, British,
German, Russian, Israeli and Irish accents. Let them have a crash
course in Goan English at the airport itself.
Repeat after me:
"We wants more beer!"
"Where the bell boy bees after midnight?"
"I needs to make a taxi to Mapusa."
"If you catch Rs. 8/- per kilometer then it becomes Rs. 160/- to Panjim."
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The column above appeared in Gomantak Times dated 4th October 2007
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