Plot twist: India's indie film circuit has been doing cool things long before this year's Oscar outing.
Young filmmakers have been taking more chances than before, reaching across borders to collaborate, taking advantage of workshops abroad to hone their craft, falling gleefully down rabbit holes to tell unusual stories.
This is fantastic news for viewers. Funding from an international organisation means that a film that would have never been made, now has a fighting chance. An international premiere can boost viewership. So, in cinemas, multiplexes and on streaming networks, a new side of India is being presented to the world, perhaps for the first time.
Is the industry truly blossoming or are the films merely repackaging old stereotypes in a new format? Most filmmakers acknowledge that, for global audiences, it makes sense to weave in explanatory narration, establishing shots, and familiar detail.
Ultimately, though, it's the story itself that determine its success. A film can be set in India, funded from the UK, produced by a crew from India, Norway and France and premiere in Hong Kong.
None of it will matter if it doesn't connect with those watching.
The new opportunities are no guarantee of success, say filmmakers. What it means is a lot more doors to knock on. See how it's all shaping up.
Faraway success Prasun Chatterjee
ALONG WITH BEING LOCAL, THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF UNIVERSAL CONNECTION WITH THE FILM
Prasun Chatterjee's debut feature film Dostojee (Bengali, 2021) tells the tale of two young boys whose friendship takes on a changed dynamic in the wake of the destruction of the Babri Masjid. It won Best Film at the UK Asian Film Festival and Best Film at the Sharjah International Film Festival. It's had releases in the US, UAE and Australia.
This story is from the June 03, 2023 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 03, 2023 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Let's tri all the angles
BFFs falling for the same girl, kidnap twists, murders, bromances. These 10 three-way love stories play with geometry and our feelings
Should you Q up for this?
Audi's luxury SUV, the Q8, has had a refresh. But a sleeker grille and headlight tech don't make up for what's still missing
How to plan a great escape
It's getting colder. It's already hard to breathe. Why not plan a winter vacation that's a world away but not too far away?
Kababs, yes, but khandvi too
Mughlai cuisine has as many vegetarian dishes as meaty ones. A new translation of a 16th century manuscript shows how we ate, and why modern labels are pointless
I can be your hero
Gurfateh Pirzada, only afewroles old, is the green flag we didn't know we needed. He's learning from women. He wants to be more thana lover and a fighter. He's hoping we all do better. No wonder everyone's crushing on him
Meet the export experts
Khadi crop-tops in Spain, faux-leather hoodies in London, fairytale wedding gowns in the UAE. See how some desi labels are killing it on foreign shores
Why we're all feeling Blue
Coco Mellors's new novel is about grief, sisterhood, and of course, addiction and unlikeable women. How does she make it work?
This week, we're...
Changing the momo game, listening to kids, starting a new business, and supporting pro waxxers
Rohit Chawla
Photographer, artist, @RohitChawlaPhotography_
Congratulations, it's a goal
Lakeside vows, pastel palettes, bayous, backyards and boats. These celeb weddings are what modern fairytales are made of
