Deha Vānī

In Brief : 

My project was initiated in India, one year before, from the discovery and my fascination facing a photographic portrait of a RAMNAMI (which belongs to the untouchable community whose bodies are fully tattooed with writings). The story of initiation imagined for this film attempts to evoke the strength of these untouchables who have found, in this irreversible deed, a way to rehabilitate themselves. A quest towards reconciliation with oneself. 

The construction of this film was an opportunity to synthesize my practices and my interest in the visual arts, film, performance, dance and music ; also, having grown up on the Reunion Island, to expose the diversity of my cultural background.

Directed with an Indian team, the film is also an entry in the political, literary and musical culture of India.

(The teaser above, does not reveal the script but evokes the spirit of the film).

Diffusion :

Shot in India and produced by Le Fresnoy National studio of contemporary Arts (Tourcoing in France), the film will be released and distributed by the distribution department of the institution (2012: 800 projections, 400 institutions / festivals, 50 countries ..).

The Premiere will be projected June 5th, 2014 at the opening of the exhibition Panorama 16 at Le Fresnoy, which you are warmly invited.

http://www.lefresnoy.net/en/exhib/panorama-16

Photo : © Ruchi ANADKAT

Synopsis :

At an indefinite time in India, a farmer walks his cow in a forest that is said to haunted by "The lost voice spirit". There, he had a strange experience. Back to his village, a wise tells him that he is condemned to die. Unless he makes the choice to go to meet the spirit and himself. For this, they will write on the whole body some sacred texts that will help him in his search in the forest. But what will he find there, now dressed with these words? And in which dance will he be moved?

Photo : © David AYOUN

Shooting location : 

Bordering Mahinadi River, in the countryside, near Vadodara (Gujarat in India), nature has enough water to deploy with strangeness. It is here that will be filmed forest wanderings of our farmer.

The entrance of a house in the nearest village called Jaspur will host a key moment in the film.

Photo : © David AYOUN

Few cinematographic inspirations :

Kwaidan, 1964

Tropical Malady, 2004

Oncle Boonmee, 2010

Dates of shooting in India :

from 22 to 28 february 2014

Dates of music recording in India : 

between 13 and 20 february 2014 

Post-production in France :

from 10 march to 15 may

Diffusion :

Shot in India and produced by Le Fresnoy National studio of contemporary Arts, the film will be released and distributed by the distribution department of the institution (2012: 800 projections, 400 institutions / festivals, 50 countries ..).

The Premiere will be projected June 5th, 2014 at the opening of the exhibition Panorama 16 at Le Fresnoy, which you are warmly invited.

http://www.lefresnoy.net/en/exhib/panorama-16

Technical :

Shooting material : RED Epic Camera

Projection ratio : 16:9

Duration : around 15min

Langage : Gujarati subtitled english

Équipe de tournage :

Direction : David AYOUN

Line producer & assistant director : Ruchi ANADKAT

Director of photography : Pooja Gupte

Camera assistant : Sudhakar Singh

Rental equipment picture : Just Video Broadcast Private Limited

Sound Engineer : Shailesh Sharma

Acteurs : 

1. The farmer : Alpesh Nagar

Photo : © David AYOUN

2. The cow : Vāc

Photo : © Ruchi ANADKAT

3. The Wise : Tanmay Gangopadhyay

Photo : © David AYOUN

4. The calligraphers : Ramesh Mandlik & Ravi Barot

Photo : © Rahul ORRA

Music : 

Shyam Gedia (voice and harmonium)

Dhaval Mistry (Pakhavaj)

Chirag Solanki (Ram Dhol)

Dhruti Trivedi (poetic & musical adaptation of the wise song)

David AYOUN (Art direction)

Rishabh Digital Recording Studio (Music recording in India)

Production : Le Fresnoy

Production manager : Estelle Benazet 

Support in India : Uttaryan Art Foundation

Support in France : Association Point MOV