Promised Land

It’s just a job. Or is it just that?

Skewed development over farming? Environmental risks over cleaner energy resources? Oil and coal or natural gas?

The movie does not answer these questions because like us and them, it does not know the answers too well. At least as of now.

There are reasons to be worried about drilling natural gas and one of them is fracking! Well, there is a good line somewhere about fracking: “That Global has been fracking this nation for over 50 years!” Sounds intentionally funny, right?

But then, it is not an environmental film with solutions… or questions. It is a movie with its heart in its right place.

A complete feel-good film; it makes you feel good that you watched it.

You feel good that there are still such farm lands few and far in between where corporate greed and corruption is knocking. Where they have not yet settled down for good…

You kind of yearn to listen to somebody ask you: “Are you the owner of this land?”

Somewhere there are still folks who rear miniature horses and teach kids how to take care of something.

Germination?

That school textbook word!? Yes, but this time not for a seed but for an idea, a concept. A way of life? Or just a slice?

I am truly inspired by Into the Wild, On the Road, The Grizzly Man, and other road movies, stories, and novels… Can I be a good Samaritan on the road? A monk on a pilgrimage? A travel writer itching for unspoken and unseen places and stories and people?

Be on the road for a full year?

What would be the conditions? The consequences? The goal(s)?

Few conditions:

I shall carry no ‘emergency’ money throughout the journey.

I shall do odd jobs along the way during the short stays and use that money purely for travel, food, and other necessities.

I shall carry a cell phone only for emergency purposes.

I shall visit and meditate on all the sacred/holy places along the way…

I shall walk and hitchhike most of my journeys or travel in public transport only.

I shall be spontaneous along the way.

I shall be ready for anything, anyplace, and anyone.

Consequences:

I shall be travel-weary, lose lot of weight, and be more insightful.

I shall have stories to tell: real stories. More experiences. More introspection. More perspectives. Better understanding of people and places.

The goal(s):

A work of art? A song and a dance? Unending peace? A piece of prose? A script or more? A slice of life or slices, rather? A memory entirely mine where I am the lead?

Meet God within and without? Learn?

When do I start? From where?

TVMalai is a good place to start from and end too. Maybe, this May? June? Travel south, up north to the west, and keep moving…

What shall I pack other than a toothpaste, toothbrush, towel, soap, and pair of books and a pen?

Few clothes, inner wear  few ID Cards, loaded cellphone with currency to last a year. A camera, perhaps? An umbrella, my sunglasses, few books, a bottle to fill water… 

The 10th BYOFF, Puri, Odisha

I participated in the recently concluded BYOFF’s (Bring Your Own Film Fest) 10^th edition held at The Pink House, CT Road, Puri, Odisha from February 21 to February 25, 2013.

Sun, sand, and cinema. It proved to be a perfect setting to watch a lot of films by truly independent filmmakers.

Organized by Gurpal Singh and others, it is a fest not to be missed. Primarily, for the kind of films you get to watch, the people you meet there, the food (especially, seafood), and for the ambience all of this creates.

Every evening, the cool sea breeze wafted through while you were watching films and the moon made its daily sojourn through the shamiana sky.

Loved meeting fellow filmmakers and film lovers like Anamitra, Sriparna, Twish, Sayak Shome, Sounak, Joohi, Sourav, et al. We had amazing conversations and discussions over drinks and dinner.

The best films that were screened were:

• Parallels, Almost
• Paperbag
• Nothing Unusual
• This is not Funny – (and this is not in 3D)
• Jaadui Machchi

Also, loved the following documentaries:

• Char – No Man’s Island
• Quarter No. 4/11

There was an open stage every day and I was impressed by the talent that was on display. Vipin Heero (songwriter, singer, and composer) sang amazingly ‘native’ and original songs along with Kabir’s songs. This guy is a talent to watch out for.

Most of the film enthusiasts, including yours truly, pledged to pay whatever they can to tide over the current and last years’ fest expenses.

So I hope that I shall be there again next year too! Bhadaas dho!