Bollywood or Bust

I just got a letter of invitation from the Mumbai International Film Festival. My film has been selected to screen in-competition and they want me in Bombay next week!

They're paying for my accommodation and ScreenWest will (probably) come to the party for the flight. When I get there, it'll be bread and water for tea!

All this is right after me doing a podcast called Filmaking is the new rock 'n' roll. I had no idea that filmmaking really could be the new rock n roll. It's definately a rock n roll lifestyle - shooting off to exotic locations at the drop of a hat. It's not a rock n roll lifestyle in that you don't get paid. Filmmakers don't have managers. Well, this one doesn't.

I actually have the flu right now (so stand back a bit) so wasn't feeling in the mood to go anywhere. But the thing is - you can't really not accept such an invitation. How often does such an opportunity come around? I've had films in festivals before, but I've never been invited to one. It sometimes means that they want you there to collect some kind of award or give a speech. It's very embarrassing for a festival to give an award without the recipient being in attendance.

Awards are realy crap, but they give you kudos when it comes to getting cash for say, a feature. They also come with prize money. In Mumbai - that' about AUS$3-7,500 if you win. Which would be nice. I have a lot of bills to pay. But I'm not getting too excited about winning anything.

I'm pretty sure they have the internet over there, so I'll definately post my adventures for you - my meagre, but well-loved audience. I hope you can feel the love ... Because I am giving it...

Comments

Not the only white guy in Mumbai

Hi readers . . . and hi Mum! ;) I've been watching some pretty heart-wrenching documentaries here at the Mumbai Film Festival . Watching docos seems to be a fast track to learning about the world. Many documentaries have an Indian element, but a couple stood out. I tend to make friends with the people who make films I like, so I'm pleased to say that Rajdeep Randhawa is now a close and personal friend of mine. Rajdeep made a 47 minute documentary called, "Ek Tha Lal Pari." Shot mostly cinema verite, it documents the problematic relationship between a eunuch and her lover. It's an on and off relationship, but the two are still very much in love and have lived together for 20 years! In India, eunuchs live in enclaves. They are ostricised by society, but also revered and considered to have many spiritual powers. So they earn money by performing special rituals at marriages, births, deaths etc. It is a special honour to be blessed by a eunuch. To cross one would resu...

The Three by Five Card Index System

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Giant CRX 1 Flat-bar Road Bike - A Metaphor

I've been working my guts out doing websites all week (day and night) and now I have to mark 50+ online student usability exercises. Ugh! I got a glimpse of my girlfriend this week. She lives really far away and - as I ride a CRX 1 Flat bar road bike - it takes me a good 2 hours to get there. Especially after riding from Como to teaching Saturday acting classes in Hammersley. I got to her place late and then had to leave at 5am to get to Freo on time - where my parents were celebrating their 4oth wedding anniversary. Hi Ma & Da. Congratulations! Now for the meat of this post. Read carefully: It's a nice ride. For every difficult hill, there's a downward slope. I top around 50kmh (peak at 60kmh) but try to cruise along at around 30kmh to conserve energy. You never know when you might need to sprint. I'm mostly on bike tracks - I don't like to ride on sand. My bike has no shocks, so my energy isn't wasted. I get to feel the ground. Whatever power I have go...

Edwin James Lynch

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