# Rima Das

Rima Das (born 1982) is an Indian filmmaker and actor from the state of Assam

## Quotes

* We cannot avoid or escape, but we can sing. (As to why the title of the film Bulbul Can Sing has the word sing, and why it matters to the story)
** Women And Hollywood Article - Under the Radar: Rima Das’ “Bulbul Can Sing” Examines the Joy and Pain of Growing Up - 6 November 2018 - Archive
** BULBUL CAN SING Director Q&A | TIFF 2018, at 12 Min 48 Sec
* I was shooting Man with the Binoculars, which was my first feature film, and I discovered these children and villagers celebrating life [while] living in deprivation. It made me realize what I was missing in Mumbai even surrounded with all this technology. (about the inspiration for Village Rockstars, and life in rural Assam)
** Asia Times Article - India’s Rima Das takes Village Rockstars on prize path - 16 March 2017 - Archive
** Cinema Forensic Article - VILLAGE ROCKSTARS – A FILM BY RIMA DAS ALL SET FOR CANNES! - 1 May 2017 - Archive
* I chose this profession not for the money or the glamour. I want to push boundaries, enjoy the process of filmmaking.
** Indian Express Article - Rising Star: Village Rockstars director Rima Das - 15 October 2017 - Archive
* If people are criticising your work, take it in the right spirit and try to find out what is wrong. I made a lot of mistakes on my first film and told myself not to do it again. Remember that you’re not making a film to keep it in a box, it’s for the people.
** Film Companion Article - Rima Das Gives Tips On Zero Budget Filmmaking - 4 November 2017 - Archive
* No one can teach you how to compose a shot. You are only guided by an instinct. It has to come from within. I learned cinema by working on my films. The best thing was that I bought my own camera, and since I was working on the digital medium, I had the freedom to experiment, shoot more.
** SilverScreenIndia Article - Making A Zero Budget Movie: The Tale Of Assamese Filmmaker Rima Das’s ‘Village Rockstars’ - 20 November 2017 - Archive
* I didn’t want to infuse positivism forcefully, but I wanted it to spread naturally. Hope is the only weapon we have most of the time, isn’t it? If we don’t dream and be hopeful, how would we survive! (about the overall subtle positivity in Village Rockstars)
** SilverScreenIndia Article - Making A Zero Budget Movie: The Tale Of Assamese Filmmaker Rima Das’s ‘Village Rockstars’ - 20 November 2017 - Archive
* The characters are teenagers in high school, it is natural that they will want to explore their sexual desires, date people, and want to make out. That is what puberty does to you. It is very disturbing when something as natural as this is scrutinised, scandalised and made into gossip. (about moral policing of teenagers in Bulbul Can Sing)
** Firstpost Article - TIFF 2018: Rima Das on Bulbul Can Sing, and India’s Oscar pick Village Rockstars - 23 September 2018 - Archive
** Women And Hollywood Article - Under the Radar: Rima Das’ “Bulbul Can Sing” Examines the Joy and Pain of Growing Up - 6 November 2018 - Archive
* When I started watching movies, I liked that realistic approach. The story in this movie is fictional but I didn't want to compromise in the way I presented the way they are living their lives. I didn't have any storyboards -- I mostly followed them for four years. I became one of them. I wanted the audience to feel the beauty and the freshness that I felt in that village.
** The Wrap Article - ‘Village Rockstars’ Director Says Her Acting Struggles Helped Her Oscar Contending Film - 17 November 2018 - Archive
* I draw inspiration from Wong Kar-wai, Majid Majidi and our very own Satyajit Ray. I learn by watching their films. Ingmar Bergman and Quentin Tarantino have also influenced me. I spend hours watching films. Even while working on my projects, I take time out to watch films. This relaxes me.
** Pratidin Time Article - "I Find Stories From Life, People...": Rima Das - 19 September 2019 - Archive
* Filmmaking is a journey. Some people are lucky, they get instant success but for others it’s a process, it’s not something that can be achieved in a day. You might even get success overnight but the effort, the dedication, the passion and the love for making films are a continuous process.
** Hindustan Times Article - Filmmaking is a journey, says Rima Das - 22 May 2020 - Archive