21 Jan 2021  |   03:32am IST

IFFI films: Stories of resurrection was the recurring theme

The film festival showcased movies highlighting the importance of doing what it takes to keep going. Café spoke to film directors who presented their movies yesterday.

Ajit John;

It was a day when films explored

the situation of hopelessness and the importance of realization. Films from India and Brazil looked at protagonists staring into the deep void and finding their way back.

Still Alive a short film in Marathi tells the story of a young protagonist who reaches the verge of suicide, leading to a psychological realization. The Director and Producer Onkar Diwadkar said the protagonist wanted to run away from her life situation, than committing suicide. He said “One can never escape ones situation, it is important to go through the situation and overcome it with the help of a realization.” The lead character experiences depression and emotional turmoil, attempts suicide but becomes unsuccessful and then comes back to life. “I want the audience to see my film as a witness, which will create awareness”, said the director.

Importantly the 30 minute film has an uncut shot of 27 minutes. Diwadkar said this was important to showcase the journey of a person with suicidal tendencies. He said “My aim has been on creating an impactful experience for the audience, besides telling the story. Elements are more important than story. Every element expresses something. Some elements together make a picture which creates a new impact or experience. Sea in this film is the ‘element’ which is mysterious and vast, giving the thorough impact.”

If running away as the story of this film, then the struggle of a musician desperate to be recognised was the focus of attention of We Still Have the Deep Black Night from Brazil.

Gustavo Galvao, Director of the film said his film was a story of passion for music and art; and finding identity through music”. The film is a story of a trumpet player who struggles to get due recognition for her talent. Speaking about the choice of characters, Gustavo said, “I chose it to be different in approach to music in the rock band. Learning trumpet takes 10 years; that is why I chose a trumpet player rather than anyone else”. He said the movie was completed in 2019 and that public funding is the only source of finance for movie making in Latin American countries; unlike in India, private funding for films is not allowed. Sharing a response to the movie, he said: “once a woman told me that she dislikes rock bands and its culture but said she liked the movie, the way it has been presented”.

Lead actor Vanessa Gusmao who played the role of the trumpeter in the rock band said: “Being a musician, I was chosen as a part of the band; I know how it is to be a musician and what it takes when one is not recognised”.

Speaking to Café he said “It is difficult to make movies in Brazil because the government has made it clear it will not fund movies. I have another project in place with everything in place and the bank account is empty”. The film industry now he said was in the docks due to the virus and the government was moving ahead with censorship and the problems of the 60’s and 70’s was coming back. He was of course referring to the rule of Jair Bolsonaro. He said anger was always with him given the fact the situation in the country was so frustrating. Gustavo repeatedly said everyday was a battle and even coming here was a battle which took three days. He said they were doing miracles everyday to make a film. It was about keeping the faith.