Filmmakers need to think beyond making stories & hopeless heroes
By: Chatur Raghav
Tags: Filmmaking, Interview, Documentary, Bees, Project Nomad

Sourav Dutta interviewing Arif Islam (beekeeper) from West Bengal

‘Inspiration is not enough. Emotion has no value now. It is time to find a way where we can connect people in a practical way to support each other, regardless of our profession. We only think of what ‘I’ can achieve. Have we ever thought of doing something for others and made efforts for their achievements?’ — said Sourav Dutta (independent documentary filmmaker) from Mumbai.

Who is Sourav Dutta?

With an experience of over 10 years, Sourav Dutta started his career in Kolkata as a special teacher for kids who failed in subjects like English and Maths in Bengali medium schools, later his fascination of photography and film making brought him to Mumbai in 2011. Till now he has worked for television, advertising, web series and collaborated with multiple individuals and also for various YouTube channels as a writer, director and assistant.

Working on his documentary film series project on alternative education & lifestyle called Project Nomad, Sourav is also an acting & digital film making trainer, currently mentoring for an international project called ‘The Bulbul’. He is also working as a creative head for a children’s robotics initiative, called Witblox.

Q. What is your take on filmmaking?

I have never been to any film school. I completed my school life in 2006, and in those days film schools used to hold a superior place in case you want to learn filmmaking. It’s no more the same, and since I have never visited one, I am not bounded or deeply affected by any particular idea, style or philosophy of filmmaking. So my take on film making is quite different, open & also keeps changing(smiles). It is definitely a form of art but not personal. And since it's not personal it must have some value & respect to withstand itself for long enough, even after me.

Q. So what value do you put into your films and how?

Values are not things rather efforts & intensions with which I love to work. With all my films I made connections, a permanent one. When I publish them locally people connect with me to further connect with the people from my films, who are real and doing wonderful works. Normally when we finish a film and publish it we consider it as done and we move on with the next project. In my case, I too move on with my new project but I also do a lot of work with all my existing films as they are not just films but stories of people and their works with whom people want to connect, work and learn. And I consider this a very important part of my filmmaking. When people find answers, gets help, it adds value and respect to my films.

Q. What kind of films are you into?

Categorically they are documentary films, and they talk about learning and lifestyle.

Q. Can you tell us about your current project?

Definitely, there is nothing to hide. Rather I would like everyone to talk about it. My current project is about bee migration. I am following a set of beekeepers who travel hundreds of kilometres with their bees, to collect different flavours of honey, which a machine can never replace. You see, in this era of free information, we feel like we know everything. I do agree that we know a lot but the real question is how deeply do we know? Say, for example, we know that the beekeepers work very hard to collect honey, but how hard they work? What exactly they do? We don't know that. So as a filmmaker I feel that it is my responsibility to make you realise that and then help both the parties to connect so that you can get the best honey and the beekeepers’ community gets a direct buyer. In that case, both my subject & my viewers are my heroes.

Q. We have heard that you work with an extremely small unit, is that true?

Yes, it is true. There are a few reasons for that. A small team is possible because its a documentary film. During the shoot, we just need to shoot what is happening or planned. There is no actors, sets, lightman, makeup man, nothing of that sort. Secondly, a documentary film is more about timing, if you time it right you get the best content. Thirdly, you have to be bang on, you can't miss anything because there is no take 2 in non-fiction. And finally, to do all the above three, you must have a small & dedicated team. Hence, smaller the team, better the work. I have been working with just a team of 2, which includes me as well(smiles).

Q. You have worked with the mainstream film industry for quite a few years, what made you quit the mainstream?

I haven't vacated the mainstream. I have just chosen to do less of mainstream work and more of independent work. The reason being my learning process. Mainstream regardless of the type of medium is monotonous. Working with a particular production house for long is like driving a car in one particular gear. To move fast you need to shift gears. Once you learn to change the speed, you learn to tackle better. That is what I love to do.

Q. What are your future filmmaking plans?

Filmmaking is a tool, using which I want to create a community of people who will live together in harmony. I want to spread filmmaking as a skill more than that of art because we have always considered art as an expensive subject.

Q. Any message for the upcoming filmmakers?

We have always been said to follow others but not to create our own. The world has changed, it’s time we create our own.