I seek abnormalcy over the convention: Indie filmmaker Qaushiq Mukherjee
Qaushiq Mukherjee can be called one of the most provocative indie filmmakers in India and the director, known for his unique point of view, says he seeks abnormalcy over the convention. Qaushiq, popularly known as Q, says he draws influences from his life in work, which makes his repertoire a heady mix of erotica, gravelly, and quirky stories. Here's Q's take on his movies.
Normalcy is a kind of hijab for me: Mukherjee
"I try to live as much of an abnormal life as possible and that greatly influences what I do. By choosing to not be normal, I immerse myself in what goes on in the world. Normalcy is a kind of hijab for me," Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee's previous films didn't make it to theaters
Mukherjee's previous films, 'Gandu', 'Tasher Desh', 'Ludo', and 'Brahman Naman', are all acclaimed pieces of art but didn't make it to theaters. 'Ludo' and 'Brahman Naman' went straight to streaming service, Netflix. Mukherjee's next 'Garbage', a furious thriller, has started doing the festival rounds. 'Garbage', he says, is a stark departure from his old "fantasy" as it is his most urgent and real narrative.
'Garbage' is 'the stink of the stench', says Mukherjee
The story of 'Garbage' revolves around two women and a man. It explores themes of oppression, both sexual and psychological extremism in the aggressive digital era. Mukherjee says, 'Garbage' is "the stink of the stench" we reek of as a country. Mukherjee is aware of his reputation as a "controversial" storyteller and he believes the tag that he has earned is "entirely fair".
'Garbage' is a real story about real characters: Mukherjee
"It's (Garbage) a real story about real characters dealing with real emotions and empathy, which is something that I didn't use earlier. But it's imperative for me to make such a film especially seeing the fact that nobody is addressing these issues," Mukherjee says.
Cinema isn't a tool of social messaging, says Mukherjee
With social message-laden films seem to be the flavor of the industry, but Mukherjee says he has never believed in the perceived genre. "I do not think cinema is about social beliefs or social messaging. It is not a tool of social messaging. It is a tool of social manipulation and I am not into that space," he adds.
'Garbage' had its world premier at Berlin International Film Festival
On Monday, 'Garbage' was screened for Indian audiences for the first time as part of MAMI's Year-Round Program. The film had its world premiere at this year's Berlin International Film Festival's Panorama section in February. "MAMI with its Year-Round Program has provided us with a platform that urges audiences to explore the different genres of cinema," Mukherjee says.
