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Filmmakers must find ways to do courageous, different things: Dan Wolman
By Radhika Bhirani
Panaji, Nov 21 (IANS) Having mainstream movies is important, but filmmakers must explore “special” films to reflect something impactful, says renowned Israeli director Dan Wolman, who was feted with the Lifetime Achievement Honour at the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
“There is something here (in India) that everyone speaks about, and that is mainstream films. And I am somebody who is an advocate of the fringes.
“I am a man who says ‘Yes, it’s very important to make films which are popular. But I think if a filmmaker has something that’s very important for him to express — maybe it’s classical music or literature — where you don’t get the masses… go ahead and still make the film,” Wolman said at a ‘Country In Focus’ conference.
The 70-plus filmmaker is himself known for toying with subjects that only few filmmakers dealt with in Israel, his home country, during his prime.
His movie ‘The Dreamer’, which went to the Cannes Film Festival, was set in an old age home. His ‘Hide and Seek’ is billed as the first Israeli film ever to address themes of homosexuality.
“In my films, I did not try to go with everybody. There are more people like that now than in the late 1960s or 70s.
“See, it’s going to be hard to sell such movies or make millions of dollars, but the important thing is to be able to continue to work. It’s important to tell yourself… I’m not making a film which nobody will see and it will be the end of my career.
“You must find a way to do things that our courageous and different, and still continue to make films. It’s not easy to play these things,” Wolman said.
He cited his own example, saying he made a film every three to four year, but in between he did short films, ad films and TV dramas for survival.
“This prize, the Lifetime Achievement Award, is special as it tells that it doesn’t matter what the reviews are, what the public thinks, you must still find a way, make another film, and another film…. Not try to make a masterpiece or something.
“Just see it as a painter at work, improving his brushstrokes.”
Wolman, who has travelled to India several times and is at IFFI also because Israel is the focus country at the gala, feels there’s no dearth of talent to make cinema that has a unique and powerful voice.
“Many times when a journalist asks me as to what I have to say about Indian cinema, I mention names of Indian films… But they have never seen them.
“It turns out there are many good, serious artistes, who have something important to say, but they come from Assam or some other place and people in Chennai or Kochi don’t know these films.
“Here (in India), the mainstream is the important thing, and then you adapt certain successful films… Producers are going in that direction.”
Wolman feels many of the Indian filmmakers who make these special films, have the same problem that filmmakers in Israel face: how to recoup investment.
(Radhika Bhirani is in Goa on an invitation by IFFI organisers. She can be contacted at [email protected])
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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