First Take Issue 48
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Transcript of First Take Issue 48
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7/31/2019 First Take Issue 48
1/1
8TEENTIMECHIPS@
GULF MADHYAMAM l No1 IN THE GULF
2012 MAY 16 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 48
FIRST TAKE>Jyothi Varma
In the early 1990s, a doctor whoarrives in Thiruvananthapuram toappear for the medical PG examina-tion randomly drops in at the venue
of the International Film Festival of Keralato while away some spare timeand theexperience changes his priorities in lifeforever. This episode is a testimony tohow Keralas film festival culture not onlyshaped the sensibilities of generations of
cine-goers but alsoinspired some of the more ardent view-
ers in the cinema halls to take up film-making as a career.
This weeks appointment for First Takeis with Dr Biju (Bijukumar Damodaran ishis complete name), who has carved outa global reputation as abold young film-makerin the parallel cinemaspace.It was my exposure to
a few Turkish films at theIFFK that changed myperception of films, filmmaking and the languagethat films speak, saysDr Biju who is a homoeo-path practitioner, cur-rently the Superintendentof the Government Medical College in Pala.
The self-taught film-maker debuted as
writer-director with Saira (2007) whichwas screened at 22 International Film Fes-tivals. It was also the opening film at the60th Cannes Film Festival, and the icing
was that the screening coincided withthe celebration of the 60th year of IndianIndependence.
Global terrorism has been the leitmotifof at least three of Dr Bijus films to date.However, each film tries to approach the
issue of terrorism from a different perspec-tive. While the debut film looked at howthe interplay of the levers of power of theState, activist groups and some organisa-tions influence people, the next one Ra-man was based on Americas assault onIraq and took a strident anti-US standpoint
while Veettilekkulla Vazhi exploredrelationships between people who aretrapped in a web of terrorism.
If Dr Bijus socio-political movie Ra-man triggered fierce debate, it was
VeetilekkullaVazhi that bagged themost critical acclaim. The films list ofhonours includes the NETPAC Awardfor best film at the International FilmFestival of Kerala 2010, the 58th Na-tional Film Award for Best Feature Film inMalayalam 2011 and the awards for bestfilm, best director and best music direc-
tor at Imagine India filmfestival Madrid, Spain 2011.
Dr Biju says he was fond ofwriting short stories and arti-cles even during his studentdays. However, his passionfor cinema now subsumes hisother interests. He says ona lighter note that since hisfilms are being screened at alot of international film fes-tivals, he is seldom left with
time to read or write.On his style of working for a movie:
For me, film making is very much a richcultural activity. Once a
thread develops in my mind, I bouncethe idea off my associate and cameraman.In case they feel that a similar theme wasdealt with in an earlier movie, I drop theplan then and there. If the storyline isnovel, I get into scripting and till I finishmy scripting I dont discuss it with anyone.In fact it is the longest and most time-con-suming process in my films, he says.
Once through with the script, he has apreliminary round of discussion with thecinematographer, associate director, art di-rector, music director, costumer and makeup man. This is when the cast is finalisedand a draft project report prepared.
Once a producer okays my project, wechalk out a shooting schedule for the film.Since we all interact such a lot at various
stages of evolution ofthe plot, the techniciansare well versed with thescript by the time webegin the shoots, hesays. The exhaustiveplanning and coordina-tion makes the shoot-ing a smooth affairand executable within
deadlines.Dr Bijus next is a departure from his
usual canvas of terror. Aakasathinte-Niram, featuring Nedumudi Venu, Prithvi-raj, Indrajith and Amla Paul, seeks to delveinto the link between life and Nature. Thefilm shot extensively on the Andamans isslated for a July release. Another project,
ThanalTharratha Marangal is a work-in-progress which has been conceived as apolitical story. The scripting is over
and the film is slotted for release by theend of the year, says the filmmaker.
Dr Biju feels that the iron-clad frame-work evolved by the masters in parallel ishard to breach. When youngsters try outa new style, it is pretty tough to win overthe confidence of even the people within
the industry, he says.His message though is that if one carries
conviction, success will follow.n
The
doctorsdiagnoseson the
celluloid
The
doctors diagnoseson the celluloid
Dr. Biju
dEsIGnEd/[email protected]