An edited version of this piece was published in The Tribune
Sunder Pal’s film Vilom, an exploration of same-sex relationships in an intolerant society, was screened at the Cannes Film Market 2020 and B3 Biennial of the Moving Image 2020, Berlin. The 31-year-old first-time director, however, never set out to be a filmmaker – he wanted to be an actor.
“In 2013-14, I wasn’t able to get enough work as an actor,” says Sunder, an MA in Theatre from Panjab University, where he is now pursuing a PhD. “I had an idea for a film and wanted to make it so that I could act — I was greedy to act. And since people weren’t casting me, I decided to cast myself in my film.”
That’s how he became both the director and lead actor of Vilom. Sunder plays the titular character Vilom, who is attracted to Amay (Navpreet Moti), a hairdresser. As their relationship deepens, they move in together. When Vilom embarks on a video art project with Nivi (Ambika Kamal), their bond makes Amay jealous. Meanwhile, Amay’s mother keeps cajoling him to marry. The film chronicles the evolution of their relationship in response to these and other challenges. Shot in Chandigarh and its environs, Vilom was completed in three schedules over a year-and-a-half to capture different seasons.
“The film,” says Sunder, “was inspired by an article I read when I was in Chandigarh. It was about the police harassing a gay man. I began researching about other such cases and the abuse the queer community faces and started writing a story. Initially, making a film wasn’t on my mind, but as I wrote, it motivated me to make a film.”
After finishing a 70-page screenplay, he pitched it to various producers. “Some people were interested, but they did not agree to the treatment I wanted. So, I finally decided to make the film myself,” he says. “I was a freelance teacher and conducted acting and personality development workshops. I used that income to fund the film.”
But there was a problem — trained as an actor, Sunder didn’t know much about filmmaking. “I was clueless about how to break down a script, do shot divisions or design a production. I didn’t know certain filmmaking terminology. But I researched online, read blogs and watched videos to learn the basics. I still don’t know much about lenses, but luckily, I had an experienced cinematographer [Vijay Tomar]. Whenever I got stuck, I looked for answers online. It took me five attempts to get the Digital Cinema Package [digital equivalent of a film print] right.”
Most of the cast and crew were his friends, many of whom also studied at the theatre department of Panjab University. “As my resources were limited, they worked for free, but I told them I would pay them once the film made money. I couldn’t find people with all the required skills within my friend circle, so I had to budget for some professionals. Otherwise, the film would have been ruined.” He found the film’s editor through an open call he had posted on Facebook. The editor recommended a colourist to him. Amsterdam-based Ernst Spyckerelle composed the score of the film.
The crew, however, was quite small and Sunder had to take on a lot of responsibilities. “Apart from acting and directing, I had to handle the production design, costume and art department. I had to check the lighting, the set, the shot, then act in the shot and review it later. I had to take on all of this because I didn’t have the money to hire people,” he says.
The lack of funds forced him to make certain compromises. “I wanted to use a particular lens, but couldn’t afford it. The production quality could have been better. The sound is okay, but I’m not happy with it. Besides, I was quite amateur when I started,” confesses Sunder. Regardless, Vilom is garnering an audience across the world. “The film has got distribution deals,” he says. “It was supposed to release in France, though that has been delayed due to the lockdown there. It is also available on Dekkoo and GagaOOlala (online streaming platforms).”
Vilom is being screened online at the I View World Human Rights Film Festival 2020 until December 20
