Where is the change?

Recently a young patient of mine requested me to have a look at his film. He is a first year student of Mass Communication and Videography and his first semester film was called “Voice”. The film had to be shot in a photo montage style. The website is of the Xavier Film Academy—www.sxcfilmstudies.com. This is a remarkable site not only because of its clean, no frill,functional design, but because it truly showcases what young people in the 18—22 year category are really thinking about. Through the site , one can access their activity and skill level, and their take on contemporary society.

Voice is a sincere film. Tightly edited, telling imagery, use of song, and dialogue—all contributing in getting the director’s message across. For a first semester project, it is remarkable and emphasizes the skill level that youngsters are achieving. I do not mean “youngsters” as a condescending description, but as a positive statement –that if they can achieve this much at this level, then their peak production with age and experience should be something to look forward to.

However there are many grey areas—not only in conception but in execution. The executions are correctable as they are technicalities, but proper attention need to be paid to it.

The narration is very amateurish and heavily accented. The play shots are mostly from one angle. The lighting should have been better and  highlighting the correct areas and the sound recording was uneven in parts. This might be due to equipments that were used, but should be looked into. As they develop more, all these problems will disappear.

But my main grouse is the content. Though film makers need to be committed, they must not sacrifice their credibility. They should not be committed to any political line , even if they sympathetic to one. Their role should be of the observer, if they want to retain their neutral image. They should be able to comment dispassionately on any shortcomings in society,  and of any religion. Overtly committed filmmakers are taken with a pinch of salt, because they cannot be taken at face value of giving the audience a truthful picture. The incidents depicted are undoubtedly, true, despicable and ghastly. But this truth is full of omissions—as in this film.

Why was there no comment on Marichjhapi massacre where the armed state calculatingly killed refugees eking out a pitiable existence in the uninhabited Sunderban Islands?

Massacre at Wandhama

Why was there not a mention of the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, driven and banished from their homes in Jammu and Kashmir?

Why is there no mention of Taslima Nusreen and her travails of writing her version of the truth?

Why is there no mention of the siege at Esplanade for four days in front of Statesman House for reprinting an article? This was blacked out of almost all Newspapers and TV channels.

Why is there no mention of the beheading of police officers and killing of ordinary people by Maoist terrorists?

Why is there no mention of the killing of innocent people by the Muslim terrorist organisations or the militants like ULFA and the Mizo terrorists? While Army atrocities are hyped about by intent-faced hyperventilating activists, there is a strange and curious lack of intensity in condemning the separationists violence.

  Why is there no mention of the Kar Sevaks being burnt alive, purportedly due to an accidental fire or deliberate sabotage? Two commissions (Nanavati and Banerjee) have given conflicting reports because commissions and many film makers are actually biased while professing to be neutral and a part of “liberal society”.

Even the bold, uncompromising, fearless film makers are actually lambs inside, unwilling and unable to focus on the TRUE picture.

Nothing has changed. The same slogans , the same dialogues, the same Naked Raja that we saw and heard in our childhood  and student days . The establishment  may change colours and yet will remain the same exploitative power. The ideals, the commitment to ideals have become a commitment to hold on to power even with slipping fingertips. A change of government means more and more clashes and unnecessary ,useless deaths. No one will take voluntary responsibility and go gracefully. They will go kicking and screaming like an unruly child and will be replaced by people who will probably be the same.

And film after film, play after play will be made in the same format, same mime and songs and dance, with the same committed viewpoint, as they were decades back.

When will this incredibly talented young generation chart out their own independent pathways lined by the flaming torches of information and reality?

When will they tell the whole truth, the uncompromising truth, and all the truth?

If there is any song playing already, go down to the previous post and pause the music player. Then listen to this song by Helen Soo. Click on the play button below.

changes.mp3