At various times of the day since end-May, one can spot several figures near the T-junction opposite De Sovrani hotel in DD Block. They would be staring at or posing for pictures in the backdrop of an electronic billboard that forms part of the façade of the building opposite De Sovrani. In one instance, there was also a dog that had joined the billboard-watch huddle, having been taken along from its BH Block home on a rickshaw.
On a recent Sunday afternoon, their number swelled as they made their way into Friday Release, a film-themed restaurant in the building. The occasion was the trailer launch of the eight short films that have been shot for the Bad and Beautiful Film Festival. The film fest, in its 11th year now, is organised by Prayasam, a CG Block-based NGO, and stars amateur actors from across the township. The stills from the films are what are being flashed on the billboard through the month, much to the excitement of the cast members.
The trailers being launched at Friday Release in presence of cast and the Prayasam crew.
“We often get asked: ‘Why is an NGO making films?’ To us, it is an educational tool. It helps in skill development of our boys and girls — camera handling, light adjustment, sound capture... — and team work. The other benefit is developing local connection. Our work is known in the West but little is known of us in our own backyard in Salt Lake. It is through community cultural initiatives like the audio drama festival Shonibarer Shonabela, the month-long daily cultural festival Pratidin Prayasam Pronam and this film festival that we have developed ties with creative people in every block,” said Saptarshi Ray, the president of Prayasam.
About 49 members of the cast had joined the Prayasam Visual Basics crew for the event. “Many of you have become such friends that you came over to help even during our recent summer camp,” he added.
Manish Chowdhury, a strapping Nazrul Pally lad who has risen through the ranks over the past 12 years, is in charge of editing most of the films. “We are possibly the only production house that produces a trailer and a poster for every short film we make,” he said.
Posters of two of the short films
What raised a laugh at the very start of the screening was a behind-the-scenes video, featuring NG shots and bloopers of the actors, starting with CB Block resident Kaushik Basu trying to light up and giving up after umpteen attempts.
Sonali Basak arrived a little late, with an eye-catching hairdo and in a maroon top teamed with a sari. “I love to stand out in a crowd,” said the DB Block lady. But she refused to accept that it was her dressing up that delayed her. “My granddaughter was not letting me go,” said Basak, who plays a mother-in-law in the film Kojagori.
Prayasam founder Amlan Ganguly, who sketches the look of every character once the scripts are chosen and casts according to his illustrations, spoke of the trouble he had got into for Jantra Manobi. The film, on the patriarchal male expectations of finding both companionship and physical satisfaction, had several men backing out. “They said they were uncomfortable doing such a role. I was hard put to explain that we make films for family viewing,” Ganguly said.
Finally Arindam Roy of AK Block stepped in, nudged ironically into the role by his wife Anisha. “The only acting I have done is in plays in our block. The dynamics of acting on camera is completely different,” he said.
“Amay diye shob koriye niyechhe…whisky, churut, kichhu baki nei,” sighed Chandra Banerjee of BB Block. The 73-year-old, who had earned praise for her natural acting in another short film Americar Gondho last year, has acted in Mayabi Ei Raatey, loosely inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night. “Dealing with the whisky glass was not difficult. But I was worried about the cheroot. So I told them that I would feign the smoking. They agreed to adjust with camera angles. My son helped me with rehearsals,” she said, adding that ever since her family has seen her films, she is getting more pampered when she visits them.
Supratik Ghosh, an FD Block resident, is debuting in the same film. “Initially I had wondered whether people would laugh or ask me if I had gone mad. Then I thought in case it worked out well, why shouldn’t I try out acting?” said the entrepreneur, who owns Friday Release.
Every Monday, a new trailer will drop on Prayasam’s Facebook and YouTube pages at 6pm. The trailer that would prove to be the most popular on social media, would win a contest. “So long the cast members of all eight films were friends. But now the competition starts,” Ghosh said, signing off with mock animosity.
The films are likely to premiere in August at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute.
Write to saltlake@abp.in