" Close your eyes and ask your heart: what is my gift? "- Bai Ling

Pic courtesy - Premendu Bikash Chaki

Bai Ling has the key to success. Do what you are passionate about. If you do that, everything else flows and life is not a struggle. Bai Ling, who has starred in major Hollywood ventures such as "Anna and The King", "Star Wars 3" and Ang Lee's "The Wedding Banquet"  was here as the jury for the KOLKATA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2015. Abhijit Ganguly spoke to her about her life and journey in Hollywood.

How did you begin acting? Is this something you had dreamt of?

To me everything in life happens naturally, I was very shy, almost mute as a child, I was for some reason fear of life fear of people, but I know I have a beautiful rich universe inside me, there is a power of magic hidden, if I don't find a way to express it, then it will explode. So I have to find a way to express that magic. At that time I didn’t know what it was, but it was a passion to express the raw truth inside of me, a feeling that is so real and strong. I think acting is finding me, it is my path, through playing a character I can actually be me, but hide behind a mask so that other people think it's a character I am playing, but to me it’s a great joy to be true and free, it’s like suddenly a magic child can have her free wings to dance with joy. Because I am the only one know it’s the real me, so I am safe and not afraid.

It's a gift that I have, because I have never learned acting, but it comes so easily, because I just express the truth of how I feel. But the key is that I need to trust myself to know that I have a beautiful gift to give! And the gift we have, it is not for us to keep, but to give.

Bai Ling as lady Tuptim in Anna and the King

Which has been your most cherished roles?

I got many; I would say all of them. Because it is a part of me in all of them, each character gives me the joy to express each part of me. And “Anna and the King " come to my mind now, because I had to shave my hair completely to play the role that was very difficult for me or for any woman. As a girl's hair does so much for us, into protecting us, make us feel beautiful and safe, but when you have no hair then you are totally naked, yes talk about the nakedness, I would encourage every woman in the world to try to shave your hair once in your life, then you will know what I went through and what kind of magic strength and power I gain and realized that I actually have. Then you will understand the power and strength you actually have, otherwise you would never know. The pure nakedness is powerful.

I become totally vulnerable, therefore I become totally powerful and almost larger than life. It was the requirement that I have to first purify myself in order to play her role, then the road becomes possible to freely access the pure feeling of the power of pure love I have in my heard for the heart, that is what I give to my Character Toptim. Many people cried for her, because she gives you her heart, the true love. And the truth always has magic in it.

What challenges you in a role?

Pic courtesy - Premendu Bikash Chaki

Almost nothing, as I express to you earlier, acting come easily because I am not acting. I think the challenge will be if there is any that will be: if I trust myself enough that at any moment I can open myself completely to give the truth to my character, if I can trust myself 100 percent. If I trust, then I can do almost anything with any character I play.

I played the roles that are originally written for a man, I played a character that is originally written for A white woman, the leading role in the film “The Key”. Then I have just finished a Chinese film called " lord of Shanghai " I play the lead female character from the age 28 years old till she is 80 years old. It is all because I completely trust myself and let my magic open my wings to fly, and to sing and dance.

Where do you draw your strength from, in moments of challenge?

Trust, totally trust! In order to meet my potential and give my magic. Because only the magic truth can conquer the challenge. To do that you have to first totally free your mind to allow your heart take Controls, once you let the mind go, then you become the magic tool, and then everything becomes possible.

I would say our mind is our greatest enemy almost in everything we do. Trust and believe that you are born to do this, and then the challenge then becomes the joyful steps that you are happy to take.

Pic courtesy - Premendu Bikash Chaki

One piece of advice for struggling actresses, who like you, have no industry insider to jump start their careers?

I love this question, because it comes to the root of doing everything. I think in anything you do and want to and can be successful, you have to find if that thing you do is the passion in your heart, that means if you have the real talent for the things you want to do. If you want to be an actor, you have to know first of all, if you have the talent, natural talent, I believe everyone has their special talent to make them successful, I am talking about the special gift that everyone come to earth has that special gift only belongs to them, if you find that gift, know what that is, then does not matter what that is, either you are a chef or a doctor or an actor, you will be successful, because that is your gift, its meant to be. Only you have a gift to give, then you will receive a gift, then that gift you receive is your success.

So try this, close your eyes and ask your heart: what is my gift? What is the thing that makes me passionate and happy and excited to give to the world, not the things you want? If you just want the fame or money, then probably you will never find the success that you wanted. Cause all the fame, money are the reward for what you do and give, it can come also it can be gone, only the things you do and do the best, then no one can take it away, that means you will always have the success that you want and deserve. Like myself, I actually don’t know what the fame is like in Hollywood, I got nothing when I come to Hollywood, not even speak English, but I know I have a gift to give, and I am so excited about what that. It’s like a little girl she got nothing and totally naked and walking on her little bare foot in the dark alone, and suddenly a bright moon appeared to guide her. It is because I am here to give my talent, not trying to get something. So find your heart’s passion and gift, then give that, and then I guarantee you will be very successful and very happy.

  Pic Courtesy @realbailing instagram - Bai Ling at Kolkata International film festival

How was your experience at the Kolkata film festival?

I love the City of Kolkata, so beautiful, I want to thank The Kolkata international film festival for inviting me as an international jury member.

I had such a wonderful time as a jury, watched 11 beautiful movies from all over the world, not only I give what I know, also feel and learned a lot from those movies. I enjoyed getting to know our Jury member guests and our film festival local people, they are all wonderful, I felt such a delight, generous spirit, and the film festival took very good care of me made my stay in Kolkata so pleasant. So for that I am grateful.

But not only that, because of the festival, I had free time and went all of the city saw so many beautiful temples and experienced the local culture, and felt the spiritual gift the land of India has, it’s like I feel its soul connected with me, it gives me such a joy and feel blessed that I was there. I went to where India’s great writer Rabindra Nath Tagore ’s home, where he lived and taught, such a soulful and brave man, I still remember his soulful eyes, there is a bright light coming through. And also I went to Mother Teresa ’s house, such a tiny little house, but so clean and humble, I stood there for a long time, in the sweet quietness, I feel her presence, how a little lady yet so magical, I could imagine how hard her road must be, and how much strength, love and faith she must have.

I am so grateful for the Kolkata film festival for giving me the opportunity to experience India’s beautiful gifts. Last, I always give cookie on my social media @realbailing on Twitter and Instagram, today’s cookie is: Give and forgive. I learned The English word by word, these 2 words can solve any problems in your life.

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Musical experiments and technology aid creativity

                                                                     Saad Chowdhury

Born in the UK, Saad traveled to the US, Luxembourg and Zambia before settling in Bangladesh in 1998. He has been working as a pianist and bass guitarist, performing both eastern and western music. He is also working as a producer and an engineer, with both studio and live sound. He has composed the background score for one of the episodes of Al Jazeera’s ‘Witness’ programme on Bangladesh’s Cholera Wars. He works with film maker Oniket Alam and their films, notably The Professionals, have been featured in film festivals abroad. He took part in a music ensemble that opened for Zakir Hussain and Bela Fleck in early 2013. The man in question is Saad Chowdhury. Saad spoke to Abhijit Ganguly on the sidelines of his performance with Seth Panduranga Blumberg, Mainak ‘bumpy’ Nag Chowdhury, Gaurab ‘Gaboo’ Chatterjee and Bodhisattwa Ghosh in association with ROOH MEDIA Pvt. Ltd.

The present scenario of contemporary music in Bangladesh...

From what I see, there are two distinct veins: First, those that take Bangladesh’s traditional regional musical influences, like instrumentation, melody, and rhythms, and incorporate these into their own framework, for example, a rock band with a Dhol player modernizing Lalon Fakir’s songs, a folk band with acoustic guitars playing original music, a party band playing Rabindrasangeet with tabla, digital keyboards, electric guitars and octapad drums. Second, those that takes influences from a more ‘Western’ musical background, sometimes completely bypassing traditional Bengali folk element. So, for an extreme example, you would perhaps see a metal band that sounds totally inspired by Iron Maiden, Metallica and Megadeth, but singing in Bangla. I also think that studio software, computers/iPad music apps/the ‘home music-making’ brand of affordable technological products are influencing Bangladesh’s production quality, and the way songs are crafted. I have been hearing little things creeping into the music over a period of a few years like auto-tuned vocals, sampled drums, and stuff like that.

Saad with Seth Panduranga Blumberg

Music has been transformed so much by technology in recent times…

I guess you could say that the volume of data these machines can handle coupled with the speed at which they can operate means that there is some really smart, intuitive software available now to aid the creation of music, be it a studio DAW template like Logic or Reason, or a downloadable analog synth emulator for an IPad.

There’s been a marked shift in commercial thinking in recent decades away from making what people want, to making people want what is being sold…

I think that’s always been there. As long as there have been musicians looking for gigs to play and other people thinking, “I can make some money out of this,” the commercial aspect has existed. Perhaps in the short term, the music industry worldwide has had to reshuffle, how it makes a profit collectively in a Napster-inspired world of downloading music. So, may be for a large record company, it could be a safer investment for them to bank on a mega-star who is making music that entertains millions of people all over the world across language and cultural barriers for instance, rather than a really unique ensemble, who perhaps is pushing more boundaries than the mega-star sonically/ politically/ socially, but may be a riskier sell to justify on the annual budget table. Again, these arguments have always been there, and always will be. I think the message is true every- where that as a musician, just be true to yourself and follow your own compass, not any accountant’s. I am not saying that you can’t make a living off your music, just saying that you don’t have to play what other people are telling you to play against your will.

An increase in the number of shows of Bangladeshi artists in India will strengthen the bonds between these two countries…

I would like to think so. We just have to keep it going, and keep it all about the music.

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“Do really what you love and don’t lose hope ever”- Máša Málková

 Máša Málková at Kolkata International film festival

Recently the film Fotograf / Photographer by Irena Pavlásková was screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival. The film inspired from the life of renowned photographer and celebrity Jan Saudek. It focuses on the maestro's relationships with women, specifically the devoted Liba, who enjoys subtle yet complete control over Jan. In addition to numerous indelicate scenes, the brief flashbacks also reveal Jan's ill-fated past, including conflicts with the police and state security agents and a nightmare from his childhood.  Abhijit Ganguly spoke to actress Máša Málková, who played the female lead in the film.

                                                                                     pic courtesy ceskatelevize.cz - Fotograf Movie stills

How did your tryst with acting happen?

I went to a conservatory school. I always loved poetry, theatre plays and one very famous Czech actor Czech actress inspired me to become an actress. It’s a dream for me to become like him or her.

What interests you in a role?

The story interests me. I need to understand the character. Then it is easy to play the character. The traits of the character let me go inside the role I play.

How was your experience working in Photographer?

In this film, the role was a challenging one. It’s a big part for me to play- from a poor girl, step by step she becomes a very dangerous lady. There is a lot of scope for me to play different shades of the character.

Being women, did you feel any kind of discrimination?

I don’t feel differentiation between man and female. But I speak about Czech Republic, or about Europe.

How do you see the film industry in Czech?

There is more freedom now. We were with Communism and many things were prohibited. There was lots of censorship. It’s very free and our industry cooperates with the European Union.

How was your experience being here for the Kolkata International Film Festival 2015?

It’s an honor for me to be here. I love India. I will spend two and half months in India this summer. I travel here a lot.

Your word of advice for aspiring actresses?

Be patient. I visited the Mother House here where I saw one of her quotes-“Do small things with great love.” So everything  what you do  be patient, do it step by step and do really what you love and don’t lose hope ever.

Máša Málková, co actor karel roden  and Director Irena Pavlásková  

How did you prepare for the role in the movie Photograph? Was there much research you had to do?

In the screenplay there was everything what I needed. And also our Director, she was excellent. She was also scriptwriter cooperated with Jan Saudek-the photographer and she knew exactly what she wants in this movie. It was nice to meet her I appreciate it. She is a great person.

What would be your dream role? 

I would like to be surprised. For me is better to don`t imagine my dream role, because then come the expectation for and if the role doesn’t come then come for sure a disappointment. So what will come into my life come and I look forward to any kind of role.

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The future of the music industry lies in streaming services

                                                                                        Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

Ron is an American guitarist, songwriter, recording artist and producer. Ron is also the lead guitarist of Guns N Roses band. He speaks to Abhijit Ganguly on the sidelines of The Festival Chapter III in Kolkata produced by E365 Media Solutions.

Where does the future of music lie - in downloads or in streaming services?

The future of music lies in streaming. It lies in universal complete access. Anything that can be digitized and streamed, can and will be streamed.

What is your view about social media as a tool to publish and promote your music?

It is the tool. YouTube is your muscle. Twitter is your mouth. Facebook is just that, a face - a hub for the exchange of the senses. In my opinion, Facebook needs to simplify it a bit and stay simple - the next time people have to un-learn and re-learn it may be the last time. 

What do you think the music industry will look like   in ten years?

There will be an emphasis on tracking and    compensating content creators and owners within environments of open usage. Technically, I can see a more interactive streaming multimedia consisting of multi-channel audio mixes at higher bit-rates, holographic video players with 360-degree angle views, users being able to mix the audio channels as they choose and adjust storyboards of video.

What is your take on online piracy and illegal file-sharing problems?

I like the ability to share – the part I am not comfortable with is that I am excluded from any decisions about sharing my own work. My take on it is this: the music industry should not have feared new technology and made enemies of the people using it. It should have embraced it and integrated with it. When the industry treated the consumers like villains, it destroyed itself.

What is your biggest advice for an independent musician?

I have three pieces of business advice. First, look at the present and also look ahead. Whatever your favourite band did to succeed, it did it in the way that was current for it. Don’t do what it did, don’t seek out that big old-school record deal and try to live a nostalgic fantasy. Do what works for you now, that enables you to take your next step forward. Second, be creative with what you have, don’t waste time seeking the things you don’t. If you think you need an investor to give you a USD 1,000,000 and don’t have the managerial skills to make good use of USD 100 you do have, you will blow through that million with little to show for it. Build your ability to make the most of whatever you have. Your creativity is your currency.

Third, put away money for your future, starting now. Being an independent musician is being a business owner, the business of “you”. Protect the future of your employees and have the sustainability to keep making your product. If you’re young, pick something slow, steady and safe - and diverse - for decades of growth, let the dividends keep re-investing. Don't use it as a current   tax shelter. Pick a type of retirement account that doesn’t tax your withdrawals when it has accrued, if this option is available to you. Protect your future.

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A princess who serves humanity

Maria Amor Torres, eldest daughter of HRH Tuangku Dr. Datu Camad Ali, princess of the Royal House of Balo-i, also known as H.H. Queen Maria IV, one of the governess queens of the Queen Shebah’s Council of the Federation of the South Kingdoms is the Founder and President of the We Care for Humanity, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide education, health and empowerment to the underprivileged and under served women and children, through live-streaming technology and provision of learning facilities in far-flung areas globally. She speaks to Abhijit Ganguly.

What led you to take up the cause of humanity although you come from a royal family?

Serving humanity is my calling and I find bliss in doing so whether on a big scale or a small scale. Humanitarianism doesn't choose status; royalty or not, we all have the right to help or be helped.
And in the beginning of time when people were governed by monarchy, when governments were called kingdoms, it was the duty of the royals to elevate the lives of their people. They were the first humanitarians and leaders of the world.

Your “We Care for Humanity” has a mission to provide education, health and empowerment of underprivileged women and children. Please share with our readers what have been the major achievements in this regard?

On education, we are at the moment developing a programme to initiate huma- nitarian/values educational classes for children age 5-13 to be included in the school curriculum. Our goal is to pass this bill to the US Congress so it will be soon adopted internationally.

On health, we have conducted free humanitarian bio-screening in different countries by the use of Irido-lab, a fully automated bio metric health evaluation system. This saved people a lot of money on general health check-ups and it makes for preventions against diseases.

On empowerment, “We Care for Humanity” is constantly conducting seminars, talks and workshops to educate nurture and empower women and children.

You are Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Model and Fitness Guru. How do you blend these areas together within your life?

I used to be a Model and Fitness Guru but I hardly do these now because of my travels. I concentrate more on humanitarian work and being entrepreneur. I manage pretty well blending the two by proper time management.

What advice do you give to young women beginning their careers who look to you as a role model?

•  Dream big, aspire higher while following your heart’s desire
•  Know your priorities and manage your time properly
• Never cheat, especially yourself
• Be humble but never lose your integrity
• Never give up 
• Eliminate bad elements around you
• Always be thankful for your blessings and thank the people who helped you

What are your future plans?

To continue promoting Universal Humanitarianism and the search for the greatest humanitarians of the world through “The Travelling Princess”.

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"I want my films to leave a historical legacy and be a point of reference on a given subject matter"- Munsur Ali

Munsur Ali was born in Bangladesh and arrived in the UK at the age of two. He grew up in East London, witnessing first-hand the social, economical, and political changes there. He went to a Church of England school, while after school hours he studied Arabic and Bangla. He also taught himself to speak in Urdu. Munsur graduated with honours in ‘B.A. Film and TV Production’ and shortly set up his film production company in 2003. Since then, he has worked alongside the  global,  US, UK, and Bollywood names. He has also produced various documentaries and short films discussing social issues such as policing, knife crime to gang violence. Talking about his journey Munsur says, “I was about 18-years- old when I realised by watching a lot of Hollywood and European films that the mainstream media tells one point of view of history, one which I felt was incomplete, inaccurate and very under representing. For example, films about the Second World War. Watching Hollywood based films (or European ones) would suggest that the war was won by the US and Western European powers only. It completely leaves out the very important contribution of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers from India. Where is their story? I found this quite frustrating, but rather than sit and complain, I decided I wanted to do something about it. However, I knew nothing about film making and had no contacts in the film and media world, so I decided to go to college and start my journey, which included A - levels in Media, Photography and Communication Studies followed by my B.A. Honours in Film and Broadcast Productions.”

                                     Pic Courtesy shongram.com - Shongram Movie, Location Shorts

How challenging was it initially for him? Munsur explains, “It’s difficult to get finance for your film so I ended up self-financing most of my film. The other challenge is getting good international distribution deals. You see the director side of me wants the whole world to see my film, but the producer side of me knows there is a cost to this and sometimes, realistically speaking, it will end up costing more in some territories for marketing, administration, and technical aspects than the potential return after paying theatres.” He set up a Spotlight UK in 2005 as a media and production house, which produces promotional, corporate, and document-films. It has been a successful business and it has produced various document-films on social matters such as gang violence to recycling, human trafficking to policing issues. It has also worked with very notable stars on various projects. Munsur is also the founder and CEO of The Limelight Film Awards, largest independent short film awards ceremony in the UK attended by over 500 filmmakers, celebrities, and industry professionals. It has been running for eight consecutive years and its goal is to provide a platform for emerging film talent. Munsur explains, “I set up Limelight Film Awards as I felt there are many film talents who do not get recognised. We  also offer a £10,000 production award. I was presented with a Civic Award for this and was also invited to meet HRH the Prince of Wales.”

Anupam Kher, Munsur Ali and Asia Argento

His latest film, Shongram, was nominated for the 21st Kolkata International Film Festival. In this movie, a daring English reporter speaks to an old freedom fighter, who reveals his past and his involvement during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation struggle. Talking about his experience of  the film festival Munsur says, “Film festivals are great to get your film noticed and to create a buzz with the hope of releasing your film in that territory. The Kolkata International Film Festival was a  great experience as I got to meet many people, including the press and media as well as other individuals in the business. Festivals celebrate films and filmmakers as they provide a platform which is essential for filmmakers. I am grateful that the Kolkata International Film Festival selected my film Shongram and the hospitality has been amazing.”

Munsur Ali at the Kolkata International Film Festival 

It is said that the industry does have a bit of a reputation for the whole “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” sort of thing. Has he encountered much in the way of nepotism in his career? Munsur says, “When I started my career, I knew no one in this field and it has been a challenging path. I do agree with that perception. However, I was good at making new contacts and connections. I also always kept my promises and worked very hard, which helps one to get noticed.”

In terms of selecting the projects to pursue, what does he look for as a producer? “My projects will have something that offers the audience a takeaway, such as a new point of view about an event or a person. I want my films to leave a historical legacy and be a point of reference on a given subject matter. There needs to be a message and not just a mechanism to commercially attract the masses. In my film Shongram, I talk about identity and the effect of the British empire. I will look at media portrayal, greed, and exploitation in three separate films I am planning,” signs off Munsur.

                                                                                                                                               Pic Courtesy shongram.com

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She captures people in all their moods

For Isabel Corthier, photography is an interpretation of reality. A freelance photographer, Isabel Corthier works in Belgium and abroad in documentary photography. Her work has featured on the covers of Caritas International, Doctors without Borders, North-South, Klasse and Content magazine. Talking about her journey, she says, “I love meeting people. I was an architect. I thought the profession would give me what I need in life. But I was dealing with bricks and drawing and not so much with people. So I did a course on photography. I found my true calling.”

Her photo series “Encounters in South Sudan” received the award for “best body of work” on the IPMGA photo festival 2014 in Kolkata. She says,”In my documentary I want to tell the story of the Dinka population and their culture. Since the general news of the world we only hear about a country; a country in war. You don’t think about the people. Since a country is made up of a population which is made up of individuals. So it is important to show these people who are full of love, compassion, hopes and fears. Sometimes, the portrait is not of happy person, as these people have been living in a war situation for the last 40 years. You can see the fear in their eyes.” 

When asked which country left her big impact, she says, “I recently visited Myanmar (Burma). The country has left an enormous impression on me. The friendliness of the people is incredible. The beauty of the people is incredible. She thinks almost every person has become a photographer. Images are becoming more and more important.

Her word of advice, “Follow your heart and have respect for the people you are photographing.”

                                                                                                                                          pic courtesy - isabelcorthier.com

                                                                                                                                        pic courtesy - isabelcorthier.com

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" For me, Art and Cinema must be creative, having experimentation and research "-Sandra Da Fonseca

Leyla Bouzid’s first feature film ‘As I Open my Eyes’ was screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival 2015. It is a musical film set in Tunisia before the Arab Spring. In the days leading up to Tunisia’s Arab Spring, 18-year-old fresh graduate Farah clashes with her mother Hayet over her budding independence. As Farah sings, becomes politically active and embraces her sexuality, Hayet advocates caution in a country whose dangers she knows all too well. Abhijit Ganguly speaks to Sandra Da Fonseca (Blue Monday Productions)  the producer of the film about her journey in the industry and the film.

Why did you take up this profession?

After studying philosophy and cinema at the university, I became assistant of producers, and then a producer myself. “As I open my eyes” selected in competition to the KIFF is my first feature film. With the directors, we work closely on every stage of the production of the films, for the development of the script to the exploitation in festivals and in cinemas. I am at the crossroad of artistic and financial issues of a movie, and that's what I like.

As I Open my Eyes - Movie Stills

Was there any inspiration behind taking up this job?

I don’t have any one person for inspiration. I just try to honour my parent’s story. They came from Portugal without nothing but they managed to send us at school, to get an education and to choose a job, and then practise it with passion and honesty.

Are there many female producers in France?

As I Open my Eyes - Movie Stills

Yes, there are. But all over the world, to try his luck has been always more difficult for women than for men. This is especially true in India, more than in France. But this is still not acquired even in Europe. When you are a woman who wishes to undertake, you must work harder, we have to prove more things, so be more motivated. It allows to feel his desire. When women are able to lead a project to completion, it is that they want to do really. I think deep down, a woman's life is more interesting than a life of man, more complex, richer, fuller, although more complicated.

As I Open my Eyes - Movie Stills

What are the challenges you face in your profession?

The challenge for me is to manage to find the money to give their voices to the talented directors that I have chosen to produce. Money usually goes to the commercial films. But we fight for art films. At this moment, I work with three directors who are in fact three female directors. 

What subjects interest you?

All the subjects could be interesting if the treatment is inventive. All the stories have already been written, more or less. After that, the question is about the new way of telling the same story. For me, Art and Cinema must be creative, having experimentation and research. 

What are your words of advice for aspiring female filmmakers?

You will and have to work more and harder than men. If you are sure you want to do movies, you have to fight strongly. But after the fight, you will be stronger than them, and I am sure that you are already more inspired than them. 

What do you want your audience to take away from the film As I open my eyes?

The film asks this question: how can one, in Tunisia, but that is the same everywhere in the World, break free from family, from society, from the system? We follow the trajectory of Farah, who wants to live life to the fullest, who is fully alive, and for that she is punished. But Farah shows us that live her life as a young woman, or just as a human being, is priceless, and that we must continue to fight for life and freedom. This resonates very strongly right now, even for Parisians people, after the recent events to which Paris was a victim.

Financial funding for projects such as yours can be hard to acquire. Have you faced major financial difficulties in any of your ventures?

To get the financing of a film, it is always quite a long and hard way. It was also the case for As I open my eyes, but the script was beautiful and inventive. A lot a financial partners have believed in it. Besides, A female director from Tunisia, speaking about a young Tunisian girl, is quite rare and was a quality for convincing the international partners. 

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“Develop your self-confidence and be your own best friend” - Joannie Labelle

As a teenager, she used to go to a lot of concerts. She fell in love with percussion seeing a great African drumming performance. Immediately she felt this music was her world and felt she had to take part in it. She is Joannie Labelle. Joannie Labelle, known for her sensibility and her viral groove, can charm an audience as soon as her fingers strike the drums. She studied Latin percussion with teachers Normand Hervieux, Alain Labrosse, Luc Boivin, and Paul Picard. Two years ago, she started exploring Indian drumming (mridangam) with master Puvialagan Mayarajah. She is now active on the local and international scene, such as Montreal, Vancouver, Berlin, Germany, Bari, Italy, and even Doha, Qatar Did she face any challenges as a female in the world of percussion? Joannie says, “I am grateful to be evolving around people who are really respectful. I have to say I feel my challenges are maybe more personal than general. I always feel that I have to prove that I can play well, that I know what I am doing and what I want, and that I am not just getting the jobs because I look fine.” 

Her most memorable project so far was to play for the European singer Lara Fabian. Joannie says, “I was sharing this experience with lovely people, playing beautiful music for a great artist. I have to mention that we travelled a lot and it was gratefully overwhelming.”

Recently she performed with the Mosaïque Ensemble from Canada, along with Surojit Chatterjee and O Bondhura in Kolkata.  Abhijit Ganguly spoke to her on the sidelines of the Concert. Her word of advice, “Develop your self-confidence and be your own best friend. Develop your skills and focus on what you love to play. And have fun!”

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“I want the audience to think about human beings and discrimination against women or anyone”- SHIN Suwon

Director SHIN Suwon from Korea , graduated from Seoul National University and started her career as a teacher in middle school. During her teaching career she wrote and published two novels focused on teens’ lives. Finishing her 10 year career as a teacher, she entered the Korea National University of Arts(KNUA) and studied script writing. After graduating from KNUA she started her career as a filmmaker. Her feature debut was 2009’s indie drama Passerby #3, which was in no small part derived from her own experiences trying to break into the industry. In 2012, her short film The Circle Line was invited to the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned the Canal+ Prize after it screened in Critics’ Week. Later that year, she revealed her sophomore feature Pluto at the Busan International Film Festival. Noted for its strong sense of style, the high school-set revenge film earned a special mention at the Berlin international Film Festival before being invited to screen all around the world.  Recently, her movie Madonna was screened at the Kolkata International Film Festival 2015. It is about a VIP hospital nurse who is on a journey to find out the next of kin of the brain dead prostitute, and uncovers her sad life story.

Madonna - Korean Movie stills

You were a teacher. How did you develop an interest for film making?

Even though I liked teaching, I felt I needed to do something more. So, I started to write novels. Two novels got published. I wanted to make a script so I went to a Korean film school. I started to study script writing there. One day during the course I had a chance to make a short film. I realized that I was good in making it. When it was finished it was screened in dark room. I was very fascinated by the ambiance of the dark room and feedback from the audience. That’s how I go interested in film making.

Madonna - Korean movie stills

How is present scenario of female filmmakers in Korea?

Most of the filmmakers are male. But nowadays the numbers of female filmmakers are increasing.

How challenging is your profession?

It is male dominant profession.  As a female filmmaker most of the time I can’t convince them .  It is one of the hurdles for me to take decision.

What kind of subjects attracts you?

I am mostly interested in human beings.  I am also very much interested in social system.

What do you want your audience to take away from the film Madonna?

After screening I want the audience think about human being and discrimination of woman or anyone. Human life is most important than money or anything else. 

Director SHIN Suwon and Francis Lim,producer
 at the kolkata international film festival

Any memorable moments from the shooting of the film?

Haerim (Seo Young-hee)’s had a birth scene. Before sunset I must finish all shooting. But I have no time; it is very busy and hard. But I am happy Ms. Seo plays as well. When she gave a birth, I felt give a birth of film <Madonna> and that shooting day is final shooting day. After shooting, every staff and actress took the memorial picture.

Financial funding for projects such as yours can be hard to acquire. Have you faced major financial difficulties in any of your ventures?

This is low budget film than commercial; art film is hard to fund money. Although we fortunately got some money from <Sansoo Ventures (funding company) > and <Little Big Fictures (Korean middle distribute company) but budget is low, so shooting day is shortly.  

What are your future plans?

I have an interest about the forest. Now I rewrite screenplay and will shoot next summer.

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A Colombian team brushes up Kolkata’s 80-year-old jazz links

Jazz in India was introduced by the British during the early 1930s. Between 1934-1945, Calcutta was the scene of a torrid jazz culture led by a loose fraternity of African- American musicians who left Chicago and New York for lucrative careers in the exotic ‘Orient’ and even settle there. They moved between Calcutta and Bombay, but also worked at the popular hill stations where the Indian and European Burra sahibs would ‘emigrate’ from the boiling planes during the summer.

Jazz's progress in India can be said to have taken place on three tiers - the music was born in the base (grassroots), went on to take an elitist character, and then began to democratize through an extraordinary marriage with local traditions.

Fast Forward 2013. Kolkata got a chance to listen to a Jazz quartet from Colombia-the Oscar Acevedo Quartet. They were here to participate in the Delhi International Jazz Festival- 2013.The genre is a fusion of local Colombian, Caribbean, Puerto Rican and Dominican music and classical jazz that thrives in the metro- hubs of the Latin nation. The quartet consists of Oscar on piano, Gina Savino on vocals, Raúl Platz on bass and Jose Camilo on drums. As Oscar elaborates, “We are a group of Colombians who love jazz and perform regularly in the Bogotá area. We are mostly interested in doing jazz versions of Colombian traditional songs.”

Pianist Oscar Acevedo of Bogota, Colombia, is a music columnist for Colombia’s El Tiempo newspaper. He also premiered a musical for children called Plonk, la Vida Suena. Talking about his musical journey, Oscar says, “My journey in music has been rather unusual because I started playing when I was 20 years old, going to study at Berklee College of Music. From 1984 to 2000, I did a lot of music for film and television along with the concerts and recordings with my band in Colombia. Amon those who influenced me, I may mention Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock and Pat Metheny. Difficulties are always on the way, but I try to overcome them as they come.”

Raul adds, “I have been playing jazz for more than 20 years. I began listening to classical music as well as Jazz, and then I started playing guitar, electric bass. Then I began studying double bass at the conservatory in Bogota. After I finished my degree I won a scholarship to study at the Conservatori del liceu in Barcelona (Spain). Then I returned to Colombia and I started my project with singer Gina Savino. Right now with her we are working on our second album to be released this year.”

In a town dominated by college football and rowdy bars, people are often surprised to learn that Colombia offers plenty of opportunities to listen to live Jazz. Several of these events happen on a weekly basis, with each event offering a different flavour of Jazz experience.

Talking about the Jazz scenario in Colombia, Oscar says, “Jazz in Colombia is growing steadily due to an upsurge of players in the scene, young coming from conservatories outside of Colombia. Starting about 15 years ago, cultural institutions have also programmed more Jazz concerts in major cities of Colombia. These two points are changing very fast the local Jazz scene.”

About their Indian experience, Raul says, “India is amazing! It is our first time, so we are very touched by the people, we have been treated so well, we really want to thank to the ICCR and the Indian authorities as well as to the Colombia embassy in India for this great opportunity to share our music with all of you, I really hope to return very soon with my project!”

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