Bandra

Yesterday we woke up late and went down to Bandra for some shopping. The shopping was good, but you have to haggle for the prices and it was really hot outside. I felt like a sucker because I bought four things mostly because I felt guilty and the store owners wouldn’t let me leave without taking the item. I’m happy with my purchases. Then we had a brownie and mango smoothies at Barista-the Indian Starbucks. It was nice and cool inside the air conditioned room. Then we had to rush back and we left at 5, but didn’t get back until 6 and we had to leave by 6:30 and everyone had to shower, but not everyone did. I was lucky enough to take a quick shower and then hurriedly got dressed. It was a humorous situation. Then, we walked to the train station and the station was packed with people everywhere! We bought are tickets and waited for the slow train. I was advised to only go first class, but everyone else went in the 2nd class section. The train was packed and you have to push and shove through a mob of people just to get on the train because people get on and off at the same time creating a chaotic scene. We had to move closer into the train to avoid getting trampled as people were exiting. Luckily the last stop most people had gotten off so there was no need for pushing. It was definitely a different experience. It was amazing how many people can fit into one car. It was like cattle being herded into a pen.

Day 2 in Mumbai

6/8/09


Today was a good day. We met a director who directed a new film called Pankh. The film is very controversial and the filmmaker is having trouble with the censorship. It’s about a boy who has gender identity issues after he spent his childhood as a girl actress. He is very conflicted about his identity. The cross dressing has roots in Indian theatre and the first film was with a cross dresser. He was a very funny guy and I really enjoyed the interview. The studio we visited was white feather productions.

Also, we had our orientation today. Sandhya was nice and laid out the general rules of the program. Then Hansal Mehta the program director spoke. He was very eloquent in describing the history of Bollywood films and what to expect on the program. He said even if you are uneducated you can do film. He also said screenwriting is very simple and that you can’t learn it from a book. He talked about the chaos in making a film and the passion that goes into filmmaking. We are going to go on live sets and meet some actors. I’m really excited to make my own film, but am worried about the inspiration for the film. I need to work on generating questions and ideas.

Also, I still feel totally lost because every street corner looks the same. We had to take the rickshaws which aren’t as scary as I imagined them to be. There actually kind of fun, but a little bit nerve racking. The girls on the trip are very nice and we are getting along great so far.

The smell was really rank on the way to the mall as we passed the slums. It’s a very different way of life. We went to the mall on our own for dinner. I was worried that the rickshaw wouldn’t start, but it was fine. The accommodations are less than stellar, but they’re not bad.

My first impression of Mumbai was the long queue at the airport. I went outside and noticed the intense heat and the palm trees. I was greeted by an ISAC representative at the airport. We took a taxi cab back to the guesthouse which was 45min. away. The taxi cab wouldn’t start right away until the cab driver pushed the car. I arrived at the guesthouse in complete culture shock. It’s a whole other world and was different then my expectations. I guess that I pictured the glitz and the glam of Hollywood transferred to Bollywood, but this assumption was soon gone. There are stray dogs all around. The streets of the suburb are dirty, rickshaws are everywhere. I also expected to see a sea of people, but instead I saw the auto traffic. There was even cattle on the side of the road! The smell is interesting. The good and the bad scents are mixed together, but are not overpowering. I heard that the yoga classes are 45 degrees Celsius. Right now I feel exhausted from the long plane ride. I took a walk around the block and saw a dog with three legs and a stray puppy, a lot filled with garbage, holes in the sidewalk next to huge legolike high rises. I never realize how much of the Western comfort we take for granted and it doesn’t hit you until you’re here. After hearing all of the talk about poverty, I wonder if I’m prepared to see it. We ate lunch at the guesthouse, some spicy rice dish. It was mild spice, but too much for me. I’m having difficulty understanding the accented English and keep having to ask “what, what.” Kate also didn’t know what to expect and we had a conversation about the different cultures. I also saw guys holding hands which doesn’t mean that they’re gay. The girls seem really nice and there are a total of six of us on the two combined programs. We watched some of the films and they seemed pretty simple and straightforward, but I can only imagine how much editing needs to be done for even a short film. I took a lot of great pictures. I was a little bit scared of riding in a rickshaw or getting hit by one, the drivers here are crazy, very aggressive. I feel out of place here and stand out like a sore thumb. Also, I get plenty of stares from the locals. I can only imagine what they are thinking. I’m really excited for the program and am looking forward to the days ahead. I already told Mukesh that I want to extend my flight ticket before we even reached the guesthouse.

Dance Dance Dance

6/16/09

Yesterday was our first visit to a live set in film city studios. The show was called Mummy Superstars. I remember walking in and being in awe of all of the lights and sounds of people bustling around. We stayed in the background to watch what was happening. It was a kids talent show called Dance Dance Dance. We saw one performance of a little girl who sang in Hindi. She was awesome! There was good choreography and the set was interesting with fake columns and hanging lights. The judges were celebrities. One was a famous music director. Everyone spoke mainly in Hindi so it was difficult to understand. The host was funny and he dressed up as a woman. We got a chance to sit in the audience and clap on cue. It wasn’t a live set. We didn’t get a chance to talk to anyone. Sudesh took us to the film studios and hung out with us afterwards. We went to a restaurant and they didn’t have anything sweet so I ordered paneer palak which was pretty good. We took a rickshaw back home. Then we went to Inorbit mall and I went online. Unfortunately Skype didn’t work.

Today we met up with Deval and his friends and went to Elephanta Island. All six of us caught the train and sat in first class which the only difference from 2nd class was the fan and there was more space. The train ride took around 45 min. We drank coffee and then took the ferry from the Gateway of India to the island. We reached the island and took a mini train to get to the destination-it was very touristy. Indians had to pay 10 rps and foreigners 250! I really had to go to the bathroom so Deval’s friend was kind enough to walk me to the toilet so I wouldn’t get ripped off. The toilet was far away and the whole expedition took about 20 min. We both missed the first cave and I felt bad because I dragged him along. We did finally see the first cave briefly which had the best statues and beautiful carvings. I wish I could’ve stayed longer. My stay was to short and a lady tried to con me by having me take a pic. of her and then asking for money. There were monkeys and cows walking around and a tiny museum. I couldn’t help thinking that I didn’t learn much from my rock art class that I could remember and apply to this site. We caught the last ferry back. Then, we ate at Mcdonalds which was an experience. We got Veggie macs and fries. It was surprisingly tasty. Then we took the train back and sat in the mens coach so Deval could give us directions back.