Session 30 summary
Shishir being from a small town, knew that only education could help him become a filmmaker of lived experiences. He believes that we are of one tribe, the Human tribe, from which we are segregated on the basis of different characteristics. In his childhood, he had one tribal person in his vicinity who was teased as an Adivasi even though he was educated, employed at a Bank and paid the rent. Shishir despised that kind of cunningness and lack of sensibility of people. For him, a tribal person has a pure sense of being human, which is showcased in their color, culture, folk stories, songs, etc. They are easier to imbibe as they reach the soul directly, just like a painting. These childhood memories have greatly affected his choice of the content he plans to make into films. Going to NID was a relief to him which provided great experience. He had been confused at one point of time on what kind of film he should make? what kind of things he can share? But making a film is an expensive process and there is a limitation on time, every hour of the film is an expensive process. He had been frustrated with the time frame as nothing substantial can come out in a limited time. With the film, ‘Tortoise Under the Earth’ he designed it in a way that it cannot be stopped- he can tell a story with just one cameraperson.
About the Speaker
Shishir Jha
Writer / Director
Mumbai
Shishir Jha is a Mumbai based Filmmaker, writer and Director. He is the director of the Santali feature film ‘Tortoise Under the Earth’ which is part of the Official Selection Spotlight in Mumbai Film Festival 2022.
