In the first international documentary on Kolkata auction houses, Channel 4 and Al Jazeera film maker Ed Owles says he finds the city incredibly lively.
Owles, now in city on way to Bangladesh to shoot his next short film on the rural artisans in the land of paddy and Hilsa, told PTI after screening of his docu here, "I felt like frustrated when I first landed here."
"But finally I could see the pattern in the chaos. Standing up on the street and listening to conversation is always a cathartic experience for a film maker in a city like Kollkata. Despite the maddening crowd and rows of shops, there is a synergy in the allround confusion," Owles said at the British Council pavilion of Kolkata Book Fair after a discourse with the British Deputy High Commissioner here.
Coming to 'The Auction House', a real life chronicle of the owners of Russel Exchange, Owles said the facade of the building, resembling more of a yard sale than an elite auction house, in a way mirrors Kolkata the city.
The auction houses of Kolkata used to be where the rich and famous found the high-end objects. Today, the family-owned Russell Exchange is the last one to remain. Run by younger brother Arshad for the last 40 years, the exchange faces the prospect of closure but not yet, Owles said.
Resembling the spirit of Kolkata, now older brother Anwer mulls over using his management knowledge from West to bring the exchange into the 21st century.
Through the portrayal of the two brothers, I seek to portray the whole city and its people who face the future but remain rooted to their past, Owles said.
Owles, who had been to Libya for similar documentary missions, believed both journalists and film makers are blessed with the craft of developing stories.
"As chronicler of events we can record history, not change history," the self-confessed North Kolkata lover, having made films for NGOs and arts organisations across the globe, signed off.
