Spanish filmmaker has now eyes set on Northeast

GUWAHATI, Oct 30: Taking back fond memories from his first visit to the Northeast, Spanish film director of the famed ‘The Tip of the Iceberg’ David Canovas now plans to make a movie on the region. 

Though he has directed as many as 15 short films as well as a number of TV shows in Spain, ‘The Tip of the Iceberg’ is Canovas’ first full-length feature film. His debut movie is a thriller-cum-satire on contemporary corporate culture that is both sharp and chilly as the title suggests. In a nutshell, it’s about the horrors of corporate life.

Excerpts from an exclusive interview with The Sentinel:

Q: This is your first ever visit to India. Please share your experience.

A: I still can’t believe I am in India! It has been a wonderful experience and I’m glad my first visit to India brought me to Guwahati. I am thankful to the organisers of Guwahati Intertiol Film Festival for having invited me and the embassy of Spain in India, which facilitated my travel. It is very exciting to be here, to meet the people. They are so full of warmth … it’s incredible. The response to my movie that was screened on Sunday was also huge and very positive. 

Q: Provided a chance, would you like to work on a movie on the Northeast?

A: Yeah! India, particularly the Northeast, is a beautiful place to be and has lot of scope. I have been filming and taking photographs of this beautiful place and its people since the day I arrived in Guwahati. When I get back to Spain, I’m planning to closely look at whatever I have filmed, or taken photos of, come out with a particular theme, investigate more on that topic, write a screenplay, get producers to produce the movie here, and filly return to Northeast India to gift a movie from me in the near future. It will be very exciting and great to work with the people of the region. I’m keeping my fingers crossed and eagerly looking forward to that day. Hopefully, it will materialize soon! 

Q: Why do you think it is necessary to have film festivals when the film industry is already commercialised and earning huge profits? 

A: There are two kinds of film enthusiasts – one who views cinema only as a form of entertainment and the other who views cinema as a form of art that mirrors the hard realities of life. Film festivals are for the second category of enthusiasts. It brings out the best from parallel cinema from across the world to one platform where the masses can watch them together. It also brings unity among the tions as actors, directors, editors, etc, from different countries come together and meet. For me, it has a huge importance.

Q: How does Spain perceive India?

A: I can tell you that Spaniards have always considered India as incredibly attractive. It’s, of course, difficult to travel as it takes a lot of money to come here. But trust me, anyone visiting India will consider it as one of the most spiritually enlivening experience of his life. 

Q: Have you watched any Bollywood movie?

A: This is my first visit to India and I’m yet to watch any Indian movie. But now that I’m here and have learnt quite a few things about the people, I’m definitely looking forward to watching Indian movies.

Q: What has fascited you the most in the Northeast?

A: The use of colours! The region is so colourful. The variable use of colours everywhere has fascited me the most. But if I am asked what I want to film about, it will be very difficult to answer. I will have to do a lot of research before that.

Q: What are your future plans?

A: I’m planning a movie based on the book ‘The Flower doesn’t bleed’, written by Alexis Ravelo. The film will be med the same as the book. Currently, I am looking for producers. Once I find producers for the movie, I will start shooting.

Q: Any message for your Indian fans?

A: I am very thankful to each and everyone watching my movie, for extending huge support and giving a massive response. This is my first visit to India, but it definitely won’t be the last one. I would against like to thank the people of Guwahati for the wonderful hospitality. I’m really honoured to be here.