Anmol Sidhu (Jaggi, The Last Tree, Gobhi) — YouTube Interview
Show Notes
About the Film “Jaggi”: “Jaggi” is a Punjabi film that has had a successful festival run and is now streaming with English subtitles on Mubi. The film has left a significant emotional impact on viewers.
The Director’s Background: The director has a background in theater, which heavily influenced their filmmaking…described an experience where they lived and dressed like the characters they were portraying on stage, building a strong connection with the roles they played.
Journey from Theater to Film: The director discussed transition from theater to film, including challenges faced in balancing their artistic pursuits with societal expectations, particularly from family members.
Support from Family: The director’s family played a supportive role, even during the challenging times of shooting “Jaggi” during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
💥Early Filmmaking: …touched on their first short film, “Last Tree,” and how it served as a creative progression leading to “Jaggi.” The director emphasized learning on the job, particularly in technical aspects like camera operation and sound design.
Challenges in Filmmaking: Sound design is highlighted as one of the most challenging yet crucial aspects of filmmaking. The director shared experiences of doing sound for both films themselves and the importance of good sound quality, especially for festival submissions.
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers: The director stressed the importance of making films for oneself rather than solely for festivals. …suggested practical tips for indie filmmakers, like using a Rode mic for better sound quality and layering multiple audio tracks for richer sound design.
💥Encouragement for filmmakers to create what they love and to focus on the story rather than just technical perfection.
Understanding and Comforting Actors: The director discusses how he used lessons from his Guruji, who taught that all body parts are just body parts, and actors should be comfortable with their bodies, whether clothed or unclothed. He highlights the importance of actors trusting the director, which was built through prior relationships and trust.
Scene Planning and Execution: The director describes the logistical challenges of filming a difficult scene, including dealing with limited battery life, natural light, and weather conditions. He emphasizes the need 💥for adaptability on set, as plans often change.
Importance of Rehearsal and Preparation: The actors had rehearsed and discussed the scenes extensively beforehand, which contributed to their comfort level during filming. The director also stressed the importance of understanding the vision of the film and being steadfast in executing it, especially when making a debut film.
💥Influence of Cinema on Filmmaking: The conversation touches on how watching a variety of films, especially those from acclaimed directors like Gaspar Noé, Lars von Trier, and Michael Haneke, influences one’s filmmaking approach. The director credits his cinematic education, particularly during the lockdown, for shaping his understanding of film grammar and scene execution.
💥Film Grammar and Originality: The director discusses the development of film grammar and how watching a wide range of films helps in understanding and creating original work. He points out that this understanding often comes from watching a lot of cinema and is crucial for developing a unique cinematic voice.
Challenges of Debut Filmmaking: The discussion emphasizes the difficulties of making a first film, where the director’s vision is often questioned. The director advises being strong in one’s creative choices and not letting outside opinions dilute the original vision.
Emotional Impact and Viewer Experience: The conversation also explores the emotional impact of certain scenes, with both participants acknowledging how some films are too intense to watch more than once. They discuss how films like *Jaggi* and *Irreversible* leave a lasting impression due to their disturbing content.
💥Cinema as an Educational Tool: The importance of cinema as a learning tool is highlighted, with the director mentioning how watching films during the lockdown helped him better understand cinematic techniques, which in turn informed his work on *Jaggi*.
Trust and Professionalism in Collaboration: The director notes the significance of trust between him and his actors, built through prior collaborations and shared experiences, which is crucial in executing challenging scenes.
Film Festivals and Cinematic Awareness: There is a brief discussion on the significance of film festivals like Cannes, where watching awarded films provides insights into high-caliber filmmaking, further enhancing one’s own cinematic language.
💥Cinema as a Learning Tool: Watching films is crucial for aspiring filmmakers. However, it’s equally important to gain experience in writing and understanding the filmmaking process before picking up a camera.
Managing Crowds During Shoots: Shooting in crowded places can be challenging, but with proper crowd management and a minimalistic approach (like using a small camera), it’s possible to capture natural-looking scenes. The filmmaker used a “guerrilla” style of shooting in crowded environments.
Learning from Experience: The filmmaker shared that they learned from practical experiences, such as shooting scenes multiple times to get the right focus and dealing with onlookers during filming.
💥Collaboration with Google: The filmmaker mentioned a collaboration with Google, which provided valuable experience and exposure. The connection was made through a film festival where their work was noticed.
Resource Management in Filmmaking: The filmmaker emphasized working with minimal resources and adapting to constraints without compromising the film’s quality.
Non-Negotiable Aspects in Filmmaking: There are certain elements in filmmaking that are non-negotiable, such as ensuring authenticity in crucial scenes (e.g., the rape scene) and maintaining the intended tone and message.
Pitching Films and Festival Strategy: Initially, the filmmaker considered selling their film to OTT platforms but eventually decided to take the festival route. They faced rejections but eventually succeeded when their film was selected for a significant festival.
💥Starting a Filmmaking Journey: For beginners, the filmmaker advises gaining thorough knowledge of the subject matter, writing multiple drafts, and continuously seeking feedback. Watching films of the genre you’re working on is also important for learning and inspiration.
💥Detailed Research and Immersion: It’s crucial to conduct detailed research and immerse oneself in the environment related to the film’s subject. The filmmaker spent time with relevant communities (e.g., police) to accurately portray their experiences.
Festival Circuit Experience: The filmmaker highlighted the importance of festival exposure and how it can lead to broader recognition. They shared that once their film was noticed at a festival, it opened up more opportunities.
Community and Feedback: Receiving feedback from peers and experienced individuals in the industry is vital. The filmmaker benefited from feedback from friends and industry professionals, which helped in promoting the film.
Role of Influencers in Promotion: Influencers and industry connections can play a significant role in promoting a film. The filmmaker mentioned how a well-known comedian and influencer helped promote their film by sharing it with a broader audience.
references:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7202086/ — Aakash Bhatia
