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Why Aamir Khan is supercharged
Being jury member at the Locarno Film Festival was an eye-opener for the Indian star
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Uma Da Cunha
The presence of actor Aamir Khan for the entire 11 days of the Locarno International Film Festival early August was quite another picture for this national idol in Indian cinema.
Right from the start at Mumbai's international airport, he was low key, standing in line for immigration like the rest of the Indian team going to Locarno. But, unlike us, signing autographs when asked to do so.
He travelled with his valet, the amiable Amose Paul. The idea of a star being accompanied by his valet was a bit difficult for the Locarno organisers to comprehend. They understand family, friends, bodyguard. But valet is new in their star vocabulary. To offer accommodation at the same top hotel as the jury members created a precedent.
But so eager and happy was festival director Irene Bignardi and her team to have Aamir in their midst that they gave their bewildered approval.
Anyway, Amose was with and around Aamir and occasionally mingled with the rest of us. On the aircraft, he folded his hands in prayer --- speaking reassuringly to all of us on board --- every time a plane landed safely.
Locarno is a picturesque, old-world little valley town nestled in the midst of verdant hills. Its pace is leisurely and its people, immersed in their own activities. Locarno has a secluded and relaxed atmosphere. The minute you get there, you know you are in for a good time.
Jury members at festivals are kept removed and away from festival guests. This to preserve their energy and to protect them from being bombarded or influenced by others.
The very first day, Aamir materialised to mingle with delegates. He came to the festival's centre, an open airy, bustling courtyard called Suparacina, the hub of the festival's inter-related offices and personnel. After that, we did not see him except in passing for a hasty nod and hello. He emerged again on the last day when the awards were announced.
However, we heard that at dusk most evenings, along the town's lovely, quiet promenade facing the lake, one could see Aamir sitting alone, taking in the scenic view and maybe mulling over the three to four films the jury had to view daily. This must be a remarkable change. Perhaps even a boon, for one of India's most loved and known actors who, back home, would be mobbed and chased from the time he leaves his front door.
The seven jury members that spent 11 days in close proximity were, besides Aamir Khan, Cedomir Kolar, Jury President and film producer from Serbia/France; Swiss actor Bruno Ganz; US journalist Emanuel Levy; Iranian director-journalist Jafar Panahi; Afghan/ Canadian actress-journalist Nelofer Pazira; and Hungarian director Bela Tarr.
| The 22 films the jury watched: |
| No. |
Film |
| 1 |
Jacob Berger's "Aime Ton Pθre"
(France/Switzerland/Canada/Great Britain) |
| 2 |
Franco Piavoli's "Al Primo Soffio Di Vento" (Italy) |
| 3 |
Andrea Maria Dusl's "Blue Moon" (Austria) |
| 4 |
Iain Dilthey's "The Longing' (Germany)
The surprise top winner - bagging the Golden
Leopard |
| 5 |
Penny Panayotopoulou's "Hard Goodbyes: My
Father"(Greece/Germany) Child actor
Georges Karayannis won the Best Actor award. |
| 6 |
Gus Van Sant's "Gerry" (USA) |
| 7 |
Alain Raoust's "The Cage" (France) |
| 8 |
Olivier Ducastel, Jacques Martineau's "Ma Vraie Vie
ARouen" (France) |
| 9 |
Rassul Sadr-Ameli's "I'm Taraheh, 15" (Iran) Special
Jury Award and for Taraneh Allidoustifor, Best
Actress . |
| 10 |
Dorothee Van den Berghe's
"Meisje" (Belgium/France) |
| 11 |
Aparna Sen's "Mr & Mrs Iyer" (India) |
| 12 |
Jesper W Nielsen's "Okay" (Denmark) |
| 13 |
Rolando Colla's "Oltre Il Confine" (Switzerland, Italy) |
| 14 |
Mark Romanek's "One Hour Photo" (US) |
| 15 |
Rebecca Miller's "Personal Velocity" (US) |
| 16 |
Alain Cavalier's "Rene"(France) |
| 17 |
Alex Cox's "Revengers Tradegy" (Great Britian) |
| 18 |
Steven Shainberg's "Secretary" (Germany) |
| 19 |
Michael Hofmann's "Sophiiiie"(Germany) |
| 20 |
Kornel Mundruczo's ":Pleasant Days" (Hungary) This
film won the Jury Award for the best second or first
film |
| 21 |
Diego Lerman's "Suddenly" (Argentina) Second best
film - winner of the Silver Leopard and a special
mention for its acting ensemble of highly
accomplished, elegant, heartfelt and precise
performances" |
| 22 |
Meng Jinghui's "Xiang Ji Mao Yi Yang Fei" (China) |
On the last day, it was good to see a relieved and serene Aamir troop in with the jury members and take his place at the table. Jury members are not permitted to talk about their deliberations, so we could not get much out of Aamir. Although tightlipped and reserved, one could see that he found the experience exhilarating and would have liked a free-wheeling conversation.
He broke loose every now and then while bent on avoiding the press. Here are some views, answers, happenings recollected at random that emerged as we talked to Aamir on the rare off-jury meeting:
Why did you choose Locarno for your first public role as jury member?
I wasn't here last year when Lagaan won the Public's Choice Award [Prix du Public], but [director] Ashutosh Gowariker was. I was keen to come to this enchanting lakeside resort just to meet the people who gave us the first step to worldwide fame and acceptance. Locarno gave us our first boost and, even now, in Switzerland, Lagaan is running in its 14th week.
What is your experience with the jury?
It is a well-balanced jury with members selected from various parts of the world and reflecting different skills connected with cinema. Jury President Cedomir Kolar, in particular, who produced the remarkable No Man's Land, is a fount of knowledge and experience and was a wonderful guide and mentor during our deliberations.
Have you any favourities from the festival films screened?
I did not see any films at the festival apart from our 22 films in competition. This is my first stint as jury member. I wanted to concentrate on my responsibility and not be diverted or distracted with the other fare.
Did you agree with the jury on the awards?
Most of the decisions were unanimous, so that was not a problem
Did you have any reservations?
Well, perhaps being an actor, I had strong views in this area. I was taken by the leading lady's performance in the American film Personal Velocity. It is a powerful film with three different episodes about how women face and resolve crises in their lives. The actress in the first episode, Kyra Sedgewick, was superb, I thought. I also liked the main actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, who was fantastic in the other American film, Secretary.
And what about actors?
It is strange, but no male lead or performance really struck me.
How does it feel to be a jury member?
I am amazed at seeing so many unknown films of varying quality with such precision and concentration. My head is now reeling with ideas. The experience has opened my mind, my horizons. I want to think, work and do new things when I get back to India.