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Is reel real?
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How real is a film? A workshop unravelled the underlying meaning in movies
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DECEPTIVE PORTRAYAL A still from Pyar Tune Kya Kiya
A single woman is never happy in Indian films. Be it Padayappa or Pyar Tune Kya Kiya. She is either deeply unhappy and frustrated about life or portrayed as a destroyer of others' happiness.
The more educated she is, the worse it gets. But, when submissive, she is happier.
Biased creation
"Films, whether Western or Indian, have developed a deep-seated bias against single and career women. In reality, this is not the case," said Rakesh S. Katarey, documentary filmmaker and Associate Professor (Film & TV Theory), Amrita School of Journalism, at a day-long seminar-cum workshop on `Understanding Movies,' organised by Montage Institute of Filmmaking.
"When educated women are portrayed as evil, when will they learn to demand their rights?" he asked. When people watch such films, they should be aware enough to understand the deceptions shown on screen.
Movies are multi-layered and they should be read and interpreted at various levels before ideas are presented, he told aspiring filmmakers. "Introspection of beliefs and values and about yourselves is important. Because, most of the time, films are a reflection of an individual's attitude towards society and he tends to justify his stand too," he says.
Rakesh used popular films, television news and commercials to demonstrate and unravel the layers of meanings behind moving pictures. Using films like Rambo and Black Hawk Down, Rakesh demonstrated how American cinema is both a victim and an instrument of Republican propaganda that justified war and demonised groups that are culturally different from the West.
Training young filmmakers on ideologies and values becomes vital. "Films are all about society and achieving public goals. Cinema clubs should play a role in bringing about such `visual literacy' among the audience so that they are able to appreciate the film at a different level and raise relevant questions," he added.
An eye-opener
For the audience, the workshop was an eye-opener. For Baskar, an assistant cinematographer, it gave knowledge about neo-realism in films. And, taught him a new perspective of looking at films — politically and technologically.
For Gowthaman, faculty of DJ Academy of Design, it was all about learning the real aspects of a film and filmmaking.
K.JESHI
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