A passage to India — from Brazil

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A passage to India — from Brazil

"India is the mother nation of all humanity", he said. "From a

philosophical and religious point of view, all elements that

constitute modern civilisation come from this fabulous country".

Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil

 

The just concluded Cannes film festival revealed substantial contacts

between Brazil and India in the field of cinema

 

A key element of Brazil's cultural strategy was the nomination of

famous Brazilian singer-songwriter Gilberto Gil as minister of

culture.

Indeed, the nomination marks a rupture from established diplomatic

trends. His official visits are accompanied by public concerts.

Formally clad minister by day, and uninhibited popular musician by

night, Gil has reinvented the role of a minister of culture. His

African origin, his emphasis on artistic practice, and his insistence

on being close to the people promote a socialistic vision. In less

than four years, Gil has become both a popular and diplomatic

representative of Brazilian culture in the world.

Recently, Gil was present at the Cannes Film Festival to promote

Brazilian cinema. Brazil, like India, had their first official

pavilion in the film market this year. In an exclusive interview, Gil

voiced his desire to promote cultural relations with India. "India is

the mother nation of all humanity", he said. "From a philosophical

and religious point of view, all elements that constitute modern

civilisation come from this fabulous country".

Gil voiced his desire to improve Brazil's cultural relations with

India.

"We are already involved in two film projects with India. And I would

like to develop this trend. Much progress can be made in terms of

shooting locations, production and distribution. But things need to

develop. Governmental participation in these kinds of projects is

crucial".

The two film projects that Gil refers to are Dhoom 2, a film by

Sanjay Gadhvi featuring Aishwarya Rai (a Bollywood production to be

shot in Rio de Janeiro) and Tamarindo, the first Indo-Brazilian co-

production in development, to be directed by Indranil Chakravarty,

originally from Kolkata. "It is only natural that India and Brazil

try to walk the same path together", said a beaming Gil, who welcomes

all cultural propositions from India.

Following Gil's declaration, The Statesman spoke to three eminent

personalities in Brazilian cinema. Carlos Diegues (internationally

known through films like Orfeu and Bye Bye Brasil) is one of Brazil's

most respected filmmakers. His cinematographic versatility (Diegues

is also a producer, composer, art director and actor) got him three

nominations in the Cannes Film Festival's official selection. Diegues

was also a member of the Cannes official jury in 1981. "India and

Brazil are both emerging countries, but have very different cultures.

I have never been to India, but I am very curious about Indian

culture", he said. Asked about Indo-Brazilian relations, Diegues

said: "There is a lot of headway to be made. I am convinced that, in

terms of international market possibilities, the destiny of Brazilian

cinema is headed towards what India has attained today" Finally,

Diegues stated: "I want to salute all Indians who read my interview.

I want them to consider Brazil like a `brother' nation".

Cao Hamburger, another Brazilian filmmaker, added "There are too many

things in common between our two countries - especially our cultural

richness and our social conditions. The world needs our separate yet

similar cultures".

Antonio Urano, Commercial Director of Riofilme, state-financed

Brazilian film company, has an eight-year old love-story with India.

He is single-handedly responsible for bringing Brazilian films to the

Kolkata Film Festival since 1998. Thanks to his efforts, Kolkata's

audiences have seen more than 50 Brazilian films. "India and Brazil

are already collaborating in industrial, pharmaceutical and economic

projects. It won't be long for cultural projects to come through.

Apart from the two current Indian film projects, Brazilians may also

come to shoot in India. I know a filmmaker called Rosemberg Cariry,

who was so fascinated by Kolkata's New Market, that he conceived a

film which is currently in development". Asked about his eight visits

to India, Urano stated: "I feel at ease in India, as I am so well

treated by the people. I also find a lot of similarities between the

two countries, not only on a social level, but also in terms of

climate and vegetation. But I would like to see more Indians in

Brazil. Indians are present everywhere in the world, but not in our

country. India is already a destination for Brazilians, and I would

be very happy if the contrary was possible as well".

 

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