India. Easy to explain, difficult to understand. India. A sea of stories. Here’s an inspiring story from incredible India. This film was shot in Kolkata. A city that will amaze, inspire, and enchant you. In case you ever get a chance to visit, I am sure you will have your own story to tell.
Please leave a comment and don’t forget to share.
Credits:
Film by: Nitin Das http://www.filmkaar.com
Special thanks – Tulika Bhattacharya
Music: Avinash Baghel
Travel to Paradise (Text)
We are all travelers of life
Walking into the unknown
Some are driven around
Some fly
But some…are just pulling their way through it.
The journey is never easy,
There’s chaos and confusion
There are cross-roads and road blocks
There are laws to follow and laws to break
and there’s the endless waiting
waiting… to reach somewhere in life.
So what fuels our travel?
For some it is adventure
For some it is ambition
For some it is wealth
For some it is love
For some it is faith
Our paths and vehicles may vary,
but the journey’s end is the same for all.
And beyond the bridge
some hope to find Paradise.
But some
have already found it.
For they know,
We are all travelers of life,
but the real journey lies within.
This is a story about crazy Gurgaon. Gurgaon, popularly known as the ‘Millennium City’ is a shining example of India’s development and growth. But that is an incomplete picture. To really understand Gurgaon and maybe India, you need to see the crazy side of the city. After all it is the craziness that gives a place it’s character. It’s the crazy Gurgaon that will stick in your head and perhaps if you visit, turn you a little crazy too.
Crazy Gurgaon
Pic 1. Beer is available at every corner, but to buy milk you may have to go to a mall.
Pic 2. Developers have used every inch of allotted space to build houses and offices, but they forgot to build the parking.
Pic 3. Forests are dying, but jungles are being built.
Pic 4. Gods and dogs share the same office.
Pic 5. Even the lamp posts are crazy.
Pic 6. Parks and Wildlife – Gurgaon version.
Pic 7. Tractors race along the roads. They are ideal for the potholes.
Pic 8. We live in boxes, with strangers for neighbours.
… to be continued.
What’s your crazy story about Gurgaon? Please leave a comment.
Note: This is an artistic opinion of Gurgaon and not a scientific one. There are many positive aspects to the city and it does have some happy people. The aim of this feature is just to highlight the quirky side. In case anyone feels offended and experiences a change in blood pressure after going through these statements, please see the film below.
Secret Gurgaon
This crazy city holds a few secrets. Secrets that have been forgotten and lay hidden for the explorers to uncover. Here is one secret.
Valley of Clouds shown in this film is a beautiful valley situated in the Himalayas. In the mornings, the valley gets filled up with a sea of clouds. The clouds cover the forest, mountains and villages in a blanket of white. It’s a beautiful symphony orchestrated by nature. For more fables visit: http://www.elfproject.org/fables
Zen movies: What can a bar of chocolate teach us about happiness? In this collection of short zen movies a humble bar of chocolate will take us on a journey of envy, expectations and the race called life.The inspiration for these 3 short zen movies comes from one of the basic tenets of Zen, which is simplicity. Simple everyday objects can teach us profound lessons about life. The next time you have chocolate, think about these zen messages!
Zen Movie #1 Rat Race
Making of Chocolate Zen Movies:
These zen films were shot with the nuns of Themisgam nunnery in Ladakh, India. Situated in a secluded valley, the nunnery is home to a small bunch of nuns from Zanskar. Besides their buddhist teachings the young nuns also get basic education in english, hindi and math. The little nuns had never acted in front of the camera, and were initially very shy. But it was wonderful to see their dedication and energy. In the icy cold desert of Leh, their smiles were heart warming.
Cast: Dolma, Chuskit, Palkit, Rigzen, Padma, Tsondus
Special Thanks: Themisgam Nunnery and Avalokitesvara Trust for facilitating the theatre workshop with the little nuns
Zen Movie #2 Expectations
Music for Zen Movie #2 courtesy: Tashi Morup. Music Produced by Upland Plateaux
Zen Movie #3 Envy
How to use these Zen movies: The surprising thing about these short zen movies is that different people take out different messages from each film. E.g. For many people in the corporate world, the ‘chocolate bar’ represents the annual bonus. When one sees the films with that perspective, we get a totally new meaning. We’d love to know, what your interpretation is?
What next: In case you enjoyed these movies, you might like to watch our collection of 6 more short films for the soul. We are in the process of making more of such films. To stay updated, please subscribe.
Look back in time. You will see a graveyard of organizations that have become obsolete. The writing on the wall is clear. Innovate or persih.
As we hurtle into the unseen future, the greatest challenge is not the uncertainity outside but the complacency inside. Do we have the right mindset to face the unknown? What is our relationship with challenges, failure and conflict?
We have developed a unique workshop module that revolves around the creative process of filmmaking. The interactive sessions help the participants explore and enhance their creative skills. Most importantly the workshop builds a new perspective centered around innovation.
The process involves working on creating a short film that perdicts the future. Participants take an intellectual leap in ideas to create new possibilities and solutions that will help their orgainzations evolve and grow. The completed movie can then be shared with the rest of the organization to spark new debates, discussions and ideas.
The future awaits. Let’s innovate.
Duration: 6 sessions of 2 hrs Charges: Price based on workshop design and client specific requirements Maximum participants in a group: 15
*Note: This workshop is only for groups and organizations. For more details send us an email at nitindas((at))flmkaar{dot}com or sitesh.das{at}gmail{dot}com
Workshop Session Design:
Session 1. Understanding your mind
Can creativity be taught?
Illusions and Perceptions
Fundamentals of Creativity and Innovation Exercise: Playing with Perceptions
Session 2. Ideation Techniques
Visualization
Storyboarding
Conflict and Opportunity Mapping Exercise: Idea Development
Session 3. Creativity in Action
Brainstorming
Role Playing
Frameworks and Successful Innovations Exercise: Future Prediction
Session 4. Creativity in Teams
Understanding team dynamics
Finding your creativity type
Matching creative styles across teams Exercise: Creating a short film
Session 5. Implementing a Creative Project
Participants work in groups to complete their short film based on innovative ideas and challenges for the future. Exercise: Shooting the film
Session 6. Innovation Marketing
Selling new ideas to new people
Steps for effective implementation of new ideas
Creating and managing change Exercise: The Ferrari Sales Pitch
End note: The Innovation Mindset
Hurdles to innovation
Creating a new future
Watch a hilariously funny T20 cricket match between two unusual teams. Whether you love cricket or not, you’ll love this short comedy film. Please spread the word about this movie by sharing it with your friends.
Making of Short comedy – T20
This film is part of the Jadui Pankh (Magic Feather) series of 7 films made a few months ago. The entire cast was first trained in theatre and then roles were assigned on the basis of acting potential. A few members of the cast including Vijay (Ranjit) stay at the Mumbai Central railway station. The inspiration for this film came from the importance of the game of cricket in the lives of these children. Perhaps the day to day struggle of life seems a little more bearable when you have something to look forward to?
To watch more films from the collection visit the Jadui Pankh page.
Movie Credits:
Film by- Nitin Das
Music – Mangesh Dhakde, Sound Design – Vinit D’Souza
Production – Latif Shaikh, Zaffar Shaikh
Children from – Akanksha Foundation
Fountain of Learning a.k.a FoL, is an initiative of Avalokitsvara Trust to nurture and educate children in isolated villages of Ladakh. FoL was born in Likir Monastery and the name remains as a metaphor for acts of loving kindness, creativity, connection and compassion and our children’s right to education. Since then, Fountain of Learning Project has joined hands with other isolated and neglected schools in the Ladakh terrain, Indo-China & Indo-Pakistan borders. So far 8 libraries have been set up, but the trust is in the process of raising funds to build more libraries and reach out to a larger base of children in Ladakh.
This short film was made to highlight their work and support them in raising funds to create more libraries.
FoL aspires to organically build an integrated network of like-minded individuals that can extend their support through care, love, time, effort, their skills or monetarily. A few ways in which you can help:
Spreading & sharing word about this project
Collecting and gifting children’s books
Please visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/192600420842269/
Sponsoring a school library
Sponsoring a child.
If you are an individual who would like to volunteer your skills, creativity and time, have training in Montessori methods, experience with young learners, consider yourself a selfless nurturer, love children’s books or are a natural story-teller, please write to friendsoflikir@gmail.com with the subject-VOLUNTEER. To donate, please write with the subject- DONATE.
WATCH:3 more Short Zen movies made with the little nuns of Themisgam. Click here>>
FOL Address in Leh: Fountain of Learning, Avalokitesvara Trust,
c/o. Lachumir House,
Behind Lotus Hotel,
Upper Karzoo,
Leh-194101.
Ladakh.
Phone Number : +91 96221 40328 www.facebook.com/avalokitesvaratrust
Here’s an interesting selection of movies for a cause. The movies cover a diverse range of causes and every month we add to the list. Movies have a huge potential to create awareness and generate support for a cause. For reference we have included a list of famous movies that have dealt with a social cause. The list is divided into Hollywood movies and movies made by filmkaar.com. Given the large pool of movies to choose from, we have only included a few of the memorable ones.
Movies for a Cause: Movie of the month
This short movie deals with the cause of climate change and it’s impact on health in an innovative way.
List of Hollywood Movies around a social cause
A curated list of some amazing movies set amidst the backdrop of a social cause:
Movie: WALL-E (2008)
Cause: Environmental Degradation
Synopsis: A touching love story set in the distant future that involves a small waste collecting robot named WALL-E. Wall-E inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind. Link
Movie: Blood Diamond (2006)
Cause: The developed world’s obsession for Diamonds and it’s impact on developing countries in Africa.
Synopsis: Set during the Sierra Leone (Africa) Civil War in 1999, the film shows a country torn apart by the struggle between government soldiers and rebel forces. In the film a fisherman, a smuggler, and a syndicate of businessmen match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond. Link
Movie: Erin Brockovich (2000)
Cause: Corporate Social Responsibility
Synopsis: An unemployed single mother becomes a legal assistant and almost single-handedly brings down a California power company accused of polluting a city’s water supply. Link
Movie: Philadelphia (1993)
Cause: HIV / AIDS
Synopsis: When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit. Link
Movie: Syriana (2005)
Cause: Oil Economies
Synopsis: A politically-charged epic about the state of the oil industry in the hands of those personally involved and affected by it Link
Movie: Boys Don’t Cry (1999)
Cause: LGBT
Synopsis: The story of the life of Brandon Teena, a transgendered teen who preferred life in a male identity until it was discovered he was born biologically female. Link
Movie: When the Wind Blows (1986)
Cause: War and Nuclear Arms
Synopsis: A poignant story of an elderly British couple who are stuck in the middle of a nuclear war. Link
Movie: To Kill A Mockingbird (1962)
Cause: Racial Discrimination
Synopsis: Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his kids against prejudice. Link
Movie: City of God (2002)
Cause: Poverty and Crime
Synopsis: A brilliant film that tells an interweaving story of two boys growing up in a violent neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The story follows the two boys as they take different paths: one becomes a photographer, the other a drug dealer. Link
If you have suggestions for movies that you would like to add to this list please send us your movie recommendation in the comment box below.
Every picture tells a story, but what’s interesting is that every person who sees the picture reads a different story. Stories that are crafted by our own memories and imagination. In this small selection of pictures we tell stories that came to our heads. Imagined conversations that never took place, except perhaps in our heads.. and now in yours.
Telling Stories with Pictures
The pictures have been taken in Varanasi, India in early 2012. The last picture has been left blank for you to fill in the conversation. Put your story in the comment box below… in case you feel like exercising your imagination.
Photos by: Sonal Mangla
Stories by: Nitin Das
A few tips for telling stories with pictures:
Rule 1. All stories are about characters. The characters may be human or not, but they must have an element which catches the attention of the viewer and provokes thought.
Rule 2. All stories are about emotions. It is not just about what you see in the picture, but about how it makes you feel.
Here’s a link to an article with 35 pictures that tell interesting stories without the help of any text. Link>>
Telling Stories with Movies
For an interesting article that introduces you to the art of telling stories with movies visit our ‘How to make a movie’ page. Click here>>
The Himalayas are more than 50 million years old, but in the last 50 years they have witnessed a huge change. Here’s a short time lapse from the magnificent Himalayas. Images from the past and the present that provoke us to think about the future of the Himalayas.
This film has been shot in Himanchal Pradesh, India. The city shown is Shimla, also known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’! Shot with Canon 600 D, 18-135mm lens.
Credits: Film by Nitin Das
Special Thanks: Sunil Chauhan
Himalayas Discussion
In less than 20 years, India will have the largest population in the world (overtaking China). Approximately 1,460,000,000 plus people. With such a huge population are we heading toward an imminent crisis? What are the future problems you foresee? What steps can we take to be better prepared & to turn our weakness into our strength? (Put your thoughts in the comment box below to continue the discussion)
Himalayas in Images
*If this film made you think, please consider sharing it with others. You can also follow our new project ‘Enchanted Lands & Fables‘ to see more such films.
Filmkaar 