Filmmaking / Directing : How To Make A Film (Democratically) by Katyayani Kumar

You have beautiful thoughts Gayatri, I agree with you that there should be something called Film CSR. But I also think that a few filmmakers are aware of their responsibility towards the people they work with. We have a few examples in India too. Take an example of Nagraj P. Manjule. He made 'Fandry', 'Sairat' and now 'Jhund' using all local actors. I think some people do their job without coming to limelight.

Hi Wardaan. Yes, I do know about Nagraj Manjule pretty well. I also know that he's worth more than 70 crores. Definitely room to improve and give something tangible back to society. My point mainly speaks to giving room to sufferers and victims in films - turning them into actors to depict their stories on the screen. As in the case of our film, we had a group of refugees who had been violently assaulted by the Taliban and wanted to get a chance to raise their voices through the medium of film. And for your point on those who do their job without coming into the limelight - well, I have a high appreciation for all those who are involving real subjects in their production journey. But if the Bible weren't written, how many people would be able to get an example to follow? Therefore, there's a great responsibility to share with others all the good we have come across ourselves.

This is a really compelling idea, thank you for making the video, Katyayani Kumar! Have you ever heard of a "Benefit Corporation"? I've always thought this would be a great way to do as you suggest - give back to those who are in need: https://benefitcorp.net/

The only issue with your idea is getting audiences to watch what you make. Big-name talent attracts audiences. Perhaps enlisting one A-list actor and surrounding them with real people? Love this topic exploration - thanks for starting such an important conversation!

Thank you so much for sharing that website with me Karen "Kay" Ross. I'm really glad this has got you excited and I hope the idea takes root in our filmmaking community. Many people have raised the same point you're making about big-name talent. But that's exactly the type of orthodox thinking we have to move away from. Brad Pitt is just a man. To a great extent - a product of amazing directors. I'll make the next Brad Pitt out of a real person and that day is not far.

Rohit Kumar - Dude, you're making this way more complicated than it is. It seems you have not understood what we are doing. Watch it a few more times before you come to conclusion. Also - it's a good practice to follow doing something first before commenting. Most people find themselves eligible to comment on anything and everything. As for you calling this experiment of ours "victimhood," let me ask you - have you spoken to the refugees that I cast? No, you didn't. But you do find yourself eligible to comment. That is more dangerous than the ideology you blame. If and when you want to speak to the refugees yourself, let me know. I'll put you on a call with them and you can explain to them yourself why this experiment should not be repeated again. This concept is for the classes and not for the masses. And thank you for proving that point.

You throw around a lot of words, but you don’t seem to understand them. So let me help you out there. “For the classes, not the masses.” - I’m not talking about literal classes. It’s a very common idiom. Look it up. And second of all, when I say “Democratic” it doesn’t have anything to do with politics. It’s about giving opportunities to all, not some. Words have more than one definition, so maybe the book you should open up is a dictionary. & You’re comparing my video to showing a Swastika symbol? Man, you need to ease up on the weird Nazi comparisons.

It’s not about questioning me. It’s just that the questions are silly. Just because you can comment, doesn’t mean you should.

And as for your advice on experimenting under the guidance of professors, universities, and other knowledgeable folks - my efforts and experimentation have been widely appreciated by political leaders in India as well as sociologists. In times to come, the idea will be appreciated by many. I don’t need a stamp of approval from philosopher junkies. And I sure don’t need the permission of a professor to help make the world a better place.

“Just being emotional for immigrants won’t fix anything.” Sure thing, man. I’ll take back that bread we gave to the Afghan child yesterday. It won’t make a difference. I’ll tell him about some political theories. That'll convince him!

Maybe you can use your time better than trashing others’ efforts to bring communities together. But, hey. I’ll let those communities speak for themselves. Here’s an Afghan refugee, Nasib Popal (our film’s lead actor) responding to your opinion:

“Rohit’s opinion is just one man’s opinion. He hasn’t seen the horrors we’ve faced so he can’t tell us what will help or not. He doesn’t even know what is happening in Afghanistan today. Everyone has an opinion, but I feel sad about what I see in his. We have to make these kinds of films to raise awareness so that terrors like the ones in our country don’t repeat in the future. Maybe he hasn’t read or heard about Afghanistan? I don’t know. I’m not sure how someone could say these efforts are useless. Maybe I haven’t gone to a great college and I don’t know about all these theories, but yesterday one of the women who sells her children on the footpaths was able to take them home after she received food from our bread distribution. If he could see the joy in that girl’s eyes, I’m sure he would realize there’s more than theories and books.” - Nasibullah Popal

Is this a brother/sister squabble?

Definitely not my brother, I don’t associate with such type of people. He’s really hurt the sentiments of the refugee and Muslim communities that I work with.

I half agree with this video.

I'd say that Hollywood runs off of a neo-libertarian mindset, in that they appear pretty progressive and open-minded... until it effects their profits. Disney was pretty apprehensive about greenlighting a Black Panther stand-alone film as they were under the belief that an ethnic film wouldn't profit so well. They were only reassured by the hype towards their climax movies that audiences would be compelled to see the movie.

I somewhat disagree that characters should be cast with people of similarity to that character, ethnically or culturally. Even though the performance can be far-more authentic, it also doesn't guarantee a great performance. Actors are trained to incite emotions in audiences; whether they sell it or not depends entirely on the actor. That's not to say casting someone of a higher verisimilitude to the character-type can't do the job; everybody remembers the Facebook-cast actresses in the Florida project - but they are no trained actors.

Don't forget, film relies on the power of empathy. If audiences don't empathize with your characters / story, then you've failed. I'd love to see a Malala Yousafzai biopic, but I wouldn't seek her to play herself.

You may also want to check out ForFreedoms - it's a non-profit that works with artists to create change: https://forfreedoms.org/ I think you'll dig them and their work - and maybe vice versa? Best of luck!

Hi! Your friendly Stage 32 Community Manager here to remind you that Stage 32 does not tolerate any personal attacks, bigotry, or hate speech. If you cannot disagree with civil discourse, then please find another social media site to write out all of your thoughts.

We are all here to grow and learn, neither of which can happen when we use language that shuts others down. Rohit Kumar - did you consider asking Gayatri to further explain what she meant by "Democratic Filmmaking" before you launched into your defense against it? That would be my suggestion to you for future comments - approach with curiosity before you jump to defend.

Furthermore, I have to ask you, Rohit - if you do not approve of the "democratizing of the industry", then what is your opinion of Stage 32, where it has been repeatedly stated that that is exactly what we're doing here? Here is a recent blog and RB speaking on the topic in several articles about how the industry is not accessible to everyone equally (which is the point of "democratic" - one person, one vote; so it stands to reason that "democratic filmmaking" would mean "every person has a chance to make films"): https://www.stage32.com/blog/Voyage-LA-Exploring-Life-and-Business-with-...

Thank you all for continuing to discuss with civility the very important subject of how we make films, as it is just as much a reflection of who we are as the films we make.

Karen "Kay" Ross Thanks so much for sharing that site with me! Seems super interesting.

Katyayani Kumar I encourage you to change the world with the passion you clearly have. Create your democratic film initiative. That's what film is about, and that fact that you are driven to express yourself through this medium means that you can and should use it to make the positive change you want to see. However, understand that this is your path, no one else's. I frankly don't know who the video is aimed at, as independent filmmakers don't make much money and struggle to get their message out, and mainstream is simply entertainment. But I do see your passion for change. The assumption that filmmaking isn't already a democratic exercise is, IMO erroneous and I mean no disrespect at all in saying this. Filmmaking is human expression, pure and simple, and that is a democratic function already. The idea that fimmakers should engage in CSR is specious - they are by definition already engaging in CSR by the very act of expressing their views to the world. I understand railing against corporate interests, but that has nothing to do with filmmaking, it has to do with the same structure of abuse you are hoping to address. Film is merely a medium for your important message and since it is, in fact, a democratic process already, the only one who can stop you, is you.