Why no space for Docs @ Chennai Literary Festival?

Why no space for Docs @ Chennai Literary Festival? - Amudhan R.P.

"Any country without a documentary culture is like a family without a family album " 

- Patricio Guzman, a veteran filmmaker from Chile

A documentary can be thought of as equivalent to a PhD or a research project as so much research, thought, time and effort is invested in its making.

It is definitely an art form. It gives a unique intellectual experience to the audience, equal - if not more - to that of reading a book. You feel the place, people and action closely, directly, and in detail, better than in fiction films as the latter have the duty to have drama. ( That's why a fiction film with less drama is equated to a documentary).

Interaction with a documentary filmmaker would be an enriching experience for any audience as she / he / they can show their expertise, share their mind, reflect on the themes of the film, offer stories on the making, and discuss craft. Documentary filmmaking is not just a recording of events, rather it is an audio visual commentary on contemporary history.

Probably that's why it dangerous to make and screen a documentary film in India these days. It is an independent and brave medium and it can touch the nerves of the ruling class.

Documentary filmmaking is also a "special child" within filmmaking in India. It is chronically endangered and needs greater attention and recognition.

The form and the reality it represents is difficult to handle for the fascists, such that the Films Division of India which is part of Union Government of India, and one of the biggest producers of documentaries in the world, is being (clandestinely) shut down by the Modi regime.

It is, for all these reasons, sad, therefore, that such an extravagant literary festival in Chennai, organised by the TN government, involving so many people from different walks of the life, has no space for a session on documentary films and filmmakers.

Are the organizers even aware that we have a wide range of film-making practiced here in Tamilnadu?

It is not too late to invite us, show us your sincerity!

Note : I understand that Left artists and intellectuals in Tamilnadu have played a major role in designing the literature mega-event.

"Vultures Don't Fly Anymore" - our 21st film!

VULTURES DON'T FLY ANYMORE: Our 21st film!

Hello all!

As we are starting our new (21st) documentary, on Working Women, I would like to request you to support the film financially towards meeting the production (shooting) expenses. As we have always made our films with the support of our friends and well wishers we take this opportunity to approach you.

The film :

The documentary is about four working women from Thirukazhukundram, a small town near Mamallapuram, Chennai 

The Backdrop :

Thirukazhukundram known for its hill and Shivite temple is a typical Indian town with feudal and caste equations and hierarchies demarcated in terms of land holding, social and political power and economic growth. 

90's saw rapid industrialisation in nearby towns and cities such as Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Chennai which encouraged thousands of 'skilled' and 'unskilled' women from in and around Thirukazhukundram to work in manufacturing units and various small and large scale factories facilitating a social mobility for women.

The protagonists :

The film records the stories of 4 working women from 4 different castes involved in 4 different occupations. Dhanalakshmi is a tailor in a readymade garments unit. Sokkammal is a sanitary worker with the local town administration. Valli is a domestic worker. Vennila is an aspiring social worker. Based on their experiences the film looks at the changing equations in gender and caste relationship and the way masculinities are questioned paving way to various negotiations and compromises both within and outside the families. 

The Structure :

The film will have two threads flowing parallel to each other. The first one talks about the town, its cultural history, the changes that have happened recently and the responses they receive locally.  The second thread observes the daily routine of the 4 protagonists and their world view. 

The treatment :

The film would combine observational and cinema verite style of filming, deliberately staying away from certain situations and purposefully intervening on particular moments with an aim to build the argument and to facilitate dialogue with the audience. 

The timeline :

The research work and pre-production for the film are almost over. We are planning to start the shooting with a small crew from 10th January 2022. The tentative plan is to shoot for 20 days to start with. 

The film will be simultaneously edited and the post production should be over by May 2022.

Duration of the film : 75 minutes 

Language : Tamil with English subtitles

The budget :

The expected budget for the production (shooting) is Rs 2 lakhs that include travel, stay, food, remuneration for the associates and equipment rent. 

How can you contribute?

We invite individuals to contribute Rs.5,000/- (Rs. Five thousands only) as a contribution. Friends who want to donate less or more are also welcome. 

Title : VULTURES DON'T FLY ANYMORE

Thirukazhukundram (Thiru - holy /  Kazhu - vulture / kundram - hill in Tamil language) town is also known for the vultures that used to visit its hilltop every noon for centuries. The visit gained a religious connection over the years as the temple priests started to feed these vultures every day. The vultures had stopped visiting the town or had disappeared around the mid 1990's for unknown reasons which is perceived as a bad sign by the believers. 

The title is a reflection on the social changes the town has seen over the years and the responses they receive. 

I request you to support the film. I will solemnly acknowledge you in the credits of the film. 

My bank details : 

Account name : R.Amudhan 

Bank : Indian Overseas Bank

Bank address: 80 feet road, Madurai 625020

Account number : 213301000011705

IFSC : IOBA0002133

Thank you 

Amudhan R.P.

camera, sound, editing and direction 

Produced by MARUPAKKAM

Amudhan R.P. - a brief note

Amudhan R.P. - a brief note

Amudhan R.P. is a documentary filmmaker, curator, festival organizer, teacher and a film activist based in Chennai.

Born in Madurai in 1971 into a farmer's family, Amudhan completed MA in Development Communication from Madurai Kamaraj University. He was one of the first to get a post graduate degree in his village.

Attended 20 week video course oganised by CENDIT, New Delhi in 1994.

Amudhan founded MARUPAKKAM (The Other Side), a media activist group in Madurai in 1996 along with local activists, intellectuals and artists, to organize film screenings, workshops and film festivals, and to make issue based documentaries.

With the support of educational institutions, voluntary organisations, film societies and cultural groups, Marupakkam has organised more than 1000 film screenings and 100 film festivals across India.

Amudhan's initial films focused on documenting human rights violations; later he went on to record stories of marginalized people and their struggle for dignity. Later he turned to become a video columnist commenting on various social and political issues through his reflective documentaries.