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Creative arrangement of subjectivity
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Independent filmmaker R. V. Ramani on the long and short of art
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HIS METHOD Ramani believes filmmakers should do what they think is right
R.V. Ramani is that unique breed of cinematographer-turned-filmmaker who edits as he makes films. The award winning documentary filmmaker, who was in town for a screening of his short films organised by the Hyderabad Film Club, has a no-nonsense take on film. "My films get made as I see them. They are very linear with a proper beginning, middle and end," the physics graduate from Mumbai university comments. "Photography is my passion and film was a natural extension of what I do." This attitude dictated a stint in camera at the Film and Television Training Institute in Pune for the Chennai-based filmmaker.
There is no concept of putting a stone to the heart and editing out a beautiful frame that does not contribute to the narrative flow. "I feel very free while shooting. I explore all aspects of beauty and non-beauty in my work. That is what contributes to the sketchy, porous texture of my work. "I prefer working on documentaries and short films as of now," he says. "I am looking at working on a film with actors and dialogue," he adds alluding to quite a few of his films, which are without dialogue. "I feel the need to extend my filmmaking."
Ramani describes his documentaries as working "on the plane of experience rather than information, I do not see the need for a voice over to describe what is going on, on screen. I believe a documentary, more than being a creative arrangement of facts is a creative arrangement of subjectivity. The way you look at facts is what matters."
Insisting that he finds fulfilment in the short film, Ramani sees no reason to work in the mainstream. "I trip on exploring the language of cinema." Money, Ramani agrees, "is difficult to come by. But like any other business, if you stick long enough to it, returns are bound to come." He also says "young filmmakers should do what they think is right."
Ramani is optimistic about a platform for the short film. "It is improving and people are willing to see movies that are different from the complete consumption stuff they are offered."
Five of Ramani's films including the incredibly poetic Brahma Vishnu Shiva and One Two Three Four were screened at the Bhaskara Auditorium. Brahma Vishnu Shiva has no dialogue and follows a Japanese sculptor Toshikazu Kanai as he works with sand on the seashore. He creates and the waves destroy, a fish is caught, children jump about and as the sea works its inexorable rhythm, there is a parallel cosmic dance happening.
One Two Three Four is shot during an illustrator's workshop for children's story books and looks at the colourful world of a child's universe. Tackling the issue of writing for children, the film follows, teachers, care givers and most importantly children who are their heart-breakingly natural selves in front of the camera.
Ramani says his future projects include a film on "Tamil Nadu's renowned writer Sneha Sundara Ramaswamy and then there is lot of stuff I have shot which has to take shape." And take shape it will under the keenly observant eye of subjectivity.
MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER
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