All about the Austen inspiration

TALKING ABOUT an adaptation? Sure that happens quite often. But analysing and delving into an adaptation of an adaptation? Well, anything is possible in these days of hype and marketing. And if something or some situation can be turned into one of strength even better - as was evident on June 19 at the British Council when the Council, in association with FIPRESCI, invited film- maker Rajiv Menon to give a talk on his film ``Kandukondein Kandukondein,'' ``inspired'' by Jane Austen's ``Sense and Sensibility'' and the film by Ang Lee.

Rajiv is unquestionably talented, as an ad and feature film- maker - his sensitivity to characterisations, emotions and his sense of aesthetics make his work noticed and appreciated if not unanimously liked. Which is probably why one wonders why he needs to in the first place take up stories that have originated in the West.

This could be a one-time thing of course but with his elan and his style of story-telling, he does not need to go in for adaptations at all.

In all probability he never imagined that he would one day be walking down the corridors of the British Council talking about his film that is in a way, a take off of a film already made by a celebrated film-maker from an extremely well-known book.

That fact, being recognised advertently or otherwise, has been translated into an occasion where it could be a case study or something that could serve as part of academics or discussions.

Menon had a captive audience however, who heard this unique personality talk first about the evolution of Indian cinema and why it is the way it is.

Then he went on to his first venture, ``Minsara Kanavu'' where he sought to create a Hollywood musical feel, to ``Kandukondein Kandukondein,'' where he recreated Jane Austen's characters and situations in the Indian ethos, south Indian milieu in particular, in a nice way if one may add.

This occasion also served to highlight the fact that the film- maker had created a strong woman-oriented film which could be perceived as feminist (which in itself is subjective and open to discussion) and hence to be taken note of both in terms of attitude change and providing positive images of women in general.

Clips from the film by Ang Lee and his were shown as a point of reference and comparison for the cultural differences and style of film- making.

In actuality it amounted to a compare and contrast of the film- makers, briefly no doubt. One wonders who would have felt more flattered with such exercises.

And what of FIPRESCI? It was something very little known till its representative very gamely pointed out that it was an international association of film critics with representatives in 45 countries across the world. All major international film festivals feature a jury of members whose choice wins the FIPRESCI award, and according to Gowri Ramnarayan, representing South India on more than one occasion she as part of a jury, was asked to present the awards simply because she was the only one who spoke English, was brown and wore a sari and hence representative of equality in terms of race and colour.

CHITRA MAHESH

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Section  : Entertainment
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