Behind the Scenes – focus on the filmmaker

Behind the Scenes – focus on the filmmakerName:

Ani Pandit Age: 21
Hometown: Bombay, India/Londonderry, NH/New York, NY
College and Degrees: NYU, BFA

1) What was the first film you saw that had an impact on you? Why?

I could never hope to narrow it down to one movie. When I was younger, I used to watch 'Dumbo' every day. I must have seen the film over 300 times. I also loved the 'Jungle Book.' 'The Lion King' remains one of my favorite movies to this day. I also grew up on three Indian movies (all starring Amitabh Bachan): 'Toofan,' 'Mard,' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony.' They are all wildly imaginative action films. I also, like everyone else in my generation – even if they claim otherwise – grew up on Spielberg.

2) Who or what shaped your desire to become a filmmaker?

My desire to become a filmmaker wasn't really propelled by other filmmakers. Making movies is something that came out of a necessity to seek out and understand truth – somehow capture, experiment with and try to understand with the actual nature of life. How people act and why. It is more of a spiritual undertaking for me, than a craft.

3) What is your favorite film? Favorite filmmaker? Why?

Favorite film: Jurassic Park. Favorite filmmaker: John Cassavetes. Those are most definitely from opposite poles. Jurassic Park is a film that I have seen hundreds of times, and has aged marvelously. It makes me happier, and stirs my imagination more than any other film I have ever seen. There is a surprising level of sincerity in the film, and a terrific celebration of the sense of wonder. John Cassavetes is a filmmaker every student of film should research. After seeing a Cassavetes film – you will never see another movie the same way again. He has a level of integrity I could only dream of achieving. He makes films that are rough, persistent, and unsurpassed in their honesty. Yet they remain optimistic and are born only out of love.

4) What project are you currently working on? How long, when will it be completed, what is it about?

I am working on a featurette called "Buffalo Dreams," a film I directed, co-wrote and co-produced (with Jason Etter). It is apporox 60 min. long and will be deliverable by the end of October. "Buffalo Dreams" is far more of a commercial film than I am used to making. It is almost a children's story - about the limits of relationships. Three friends grow up together in a small town and have to come to terms with the fact that their relationship, like any other, will not always exist in its current manifestation.

5) What do you hope to tell people with your films?

I don't really hope to tell people anything specific – (most often, if you have something to 'say,' it's a lot easier, a lot cheaper and a lot more effective to just *say* it.). I hope to just take people through emotional experiences they would otherwise have never gone through, and try to help them understand their own inner workings. If people become more self-sensitive – more aware of suffering and joy within themselves – then they become more aware of those things in others, and, hopefully, we start to create a culture that is more mindful and a society of people that simply care more about each other. More than any political topics or easy tap-on-the-wrist lessons, I try and think of quieter, more embarrassing emotional problems in our culture and try to bring those out in the open. Rather than saying specifically what people should think, I try and suggest what people should be thinking “about”. Most of the time, as a filmmaker, the best thing you have to offer is an honest depiction of how you see the world.

6) Who currently working in the film industry do you most want to work with and why?

Lars Von Trier or Mike Leigh. They both have a tremendous level of integrity in their work. I want to learn how they manage to make their work and their lives one and the same thing, and still live in a healthy, meaningful way. Both have an unsurpassed ability to work with actors and are always exploring emotional territories that no one else is. In American cinema, I would love to work with Todd Haynes or Gus Van Sant. Both filmmakers have had significant careers without having to live in New York or LA. You can clearly notice how major of an impact their locations have on their work. Also, both are persistently trying new things with story-telling, without making any attempt to be trendy or stylish for the sake of being 'cool.' Working with Vincent Gallo would also be a revelation.

7) What is your next project?

I'm developing two features. One is an epic comedy (I am developing with Buffalo-Dreams collaborator, Jason Etter) that takes place in an elementary school, and tries to explore the place of children in our culture. The other is a hyper-realistic drama that traces a large group of suburban kids through college in a modern, urban setting.

8) How do you want to be remembered?

A good person.

9) What in your opinion is the most important quality of a good film?

Sincerity.

10) Where do you see yourself in five years?

That is a very hard question to answer. I hope to have traveled through and seen much more of America. Other than that, I am open to whatever life has to offer me.

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