Kolkata: How conducive is it for a young man who is in same sex relationship to break ‘the news’ to his maternal grandmother?
How does she come to terms with it?
Does she accept? Or does ‘generation gap’ win?
These are some of the questions that were raised and answered at the launch and screening of Interlude, a short film directed by young filmmaker Ritama Ghosh and produced by Sonno at the Oxford Book Store, Kolkata on last Saturday.
Eminent actor and director, Sudeshna Roy has played the role of the grandmother in the short film while Rahul Roye and Sibashis Chatterjee have portrayed the couple who are in the same sex relationship. The film is promising and has been made at an opportune time, especially since efforts are on to make society more inclusive and stop judging people for their sexual orientation.
The screening of Interlude was followed by an enlightening panel discussion on ‘Can people in same sex relationship stay/live together if they want to?’ The panel comprised renowned music composer, Debojyoti Mishra, media consultant and film critic, Ranajit Dey, social activist and actor, Shree Ghatak, actor and script-writer of Interlude Rahul Roye as well as the director Ritama Ghosh.
The discussion, moderated by Bappaditya Mukherjee, captured the attention of the audience right from the very beginning. Stated Ritama, “All of us share a warm and sweet relationship with our grandparents, but after a certain age, ‘generation gap’ threatens that bond. Just think how much more this generation gap can widen and affect the relationships of those who are in same-sex relationships! How do they tell their grandparents and what happens after that? Do the grandparents accept their grandchild or does ‘the news’ create a perpetual drift between them? Interlude was made with the desire to understand the dynamics and I have concisely shown the grandmother in positive light for I belief that until and unless our families and society becomes all-inclusive, we cannot progress.”
Addressing the gathering, Debojyoti Mishra pointed out, “We need to reach out and sensitise, but not just the older generation, but people from all strata of society. I think that we need another Vidayasagar amidst us – one who will reform our mindset and create a better world.” Ranajit Dey while sharing his opinion stated, “Till such time biological sex continues to dominate gender identity, it will be difficult for people in same-sex relationships to stay or live together. Society will continue to judge them till people are educated that biological sex and gender identities are two separate entities.”
Shree Ghatak shared, “We need more and more films and books that will highlight the need for ‘all-inclusiveness’ and portray things in positive light.” People from all walks of life and even the so-called modern generation continue to judge people like us. We need to change that mindset first.”
The event ended on an inspiring note on Saturday and just as eNewsroom was about to upload this story, an ‘update’ arrived that stated ‘Interlude will be screened at the 6th Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival which will be held from July 18-21, 2019.’
Clearly, films like Interlude cannot be ‘paused’.
The film itself could have been better if the director knew how to make films. Rahul was the real director and Ritama just used her father’s money to gain popularity which she failed.