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It’s all about an idea
ANUJ KUMAR
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As NDTV gives space to documentary films, filmmaker Amar Kanwar talks about the evolution of the genre.
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Evolution also means preserving the soul.
Reality check Director Amar Kanwar and (right) a still from his film, “Many Faces of Madness”.
For long, documentaries have found applause in the refined environs of India Habitat Centre and India International Centre. No doubt, Doordarshan has been there but it has also faced charges for not being open to all. Now, NDTV 24X7 has given an outl
et to the genre through a series Documentary 24X7, where documentaries by known names in the business will be showcased every Thursday during prime time. The series opened with Amar Kanwar’s “Many Faces of Madness”. The film looks at the impact of globalisation on our ecosystem. “We are at war with ourselves, systematically destroying our culture and traditions,” says Amar. But isn’t evolution about losing some to gain more? “Evolution also means preserving the soul of the society for if you can’t preserve your soul you are finished.”
Amar appreciates NDTV’s initiative, but at the same time feels that life as a documentary filmmaker continues to be difficult. “Because we talk about things about which a lot of people are not comfortable talking.
With over 40 documentaries to his credit, Amar says television is no longer the only space available for documentary films. “Over the years, documentary filmmakers have been able to develop alternative distribution and screening networks. We are no longer limited to the Habitat centre as well where we get converted audience.”
Curiosity factor
Amar, who has won awards at several international festivals including a The Grand Prix at Environ Film in Slovak Republic and the first prize at the Torino International Environment Film Festival in Italy, gives credit to an emerging audience which enjoys mainstream Bollywood and documentary films alike.
A still from his film, “Many Faces of Madness”.
“The curiosity factor is really working. They watch a Shah Rukh pot boiler, a saas-bahu serial and a documentary with equal zest.” Is this interest resulting into action? Amar maintains his job is to communicate ideas with certain passion. “Explaining the truth which is always bitter.” He says new techniques are being tried in non-fiction documentaries. “So boredom is no longer an issue. Many formats are being tried like essays, abstract, hardcore investigation. And with production expenses going down it is an exciting period to be a documentary filmmaker.” He calls it a sustaining medium for youngsters. Amar agrees there are filmmakers who are making documentaries for a living, where the passion is missing. “There is a spectrum of filmmakers. There are commissioned films which are driven by desire to make money rather than to say something.”
The caution
He welcomes the initiative of private news channels in promoting the genre as it will add to the reach but cautions against co-option. The channels will need sponsors to sustain the programming but multinationals won’t like to sponsor documentaries which talk against globalisation. “But they can co-opt. Like Shell which is one of the biggest contributors to pollution, produces some of the most amazing documentaries on environment.”
You can watch the repeat telecast of “Many Faces of Madness” on NDTV 24X7 at 1.30pm on Sunday.
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Friday Review
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
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