Lifestyle /
Interview With Pan Nalin, Director Of ‘Faith Connections’
Pan Nalin made an auspicious debut with 2001’s Samsara, a visually arresting drama about one monk’s spiritual journey. He arrived at TIFF 2013 with a film that explores much in the same territory, albeit in an entirely different genre; his new documentary, Faith Connections. It finds the Indian-born helmer delving into the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage that takes place every three years and sees over 100 million people make the trek to plunge themselves into the waters of a sacred river.
Nalin turns his camera on a select few attendees, revealing both their distinct personal stories and the common thread running through each.
At TIFF, the director and I sat down to talk about faith in the 21st Century and how he managed to find a handful of intriguing stories amidst the millions.
As an artist, what drew you to the Kumbh Mela?
Of course, the statistics always impressed me, how people come from all around the world. And this year, when the Kumbh Mela dates were announced, my father had told me that I should fetch him a bottle of holy water. So I said, yeah, maybe that’s a good excuse [to check it out].
I spoke with my Indian producer and he said, “Oh, that’s a good idea; you should do your own vision.” I said, “Yeah, but there are so many films about the Kumbh Mela. So if I don’t feel it, I’ll come back. But if I find something, I’ll do a film.”
And what did you find?
Mainly it was because of the people, because I realized that if I find them emotionally touching, they would move the [audience]. We were very curious and intrigued by these characters.
And we realized that if you could capture that, the Kumbh Mela would be the backdrop; it’s the [people] that will carry the vehicle…they just got more and more interesting as we were working…We didn’t know what we would be making the film about, but it was a gut feeling.
How did you go about tracking down your “stars”?
It started broadly as curiosity. We were on the street and we see this Yogi Baba and all the people are watching him.
And I said, ‘The moment we put that in, people will say, ‘Oh, it’s cliché.’ But [then], I see him coming with a milk bottle for a baby. A few minutes later, there’s a baby in his lap and we start shooting without knowing the story…What is [a baby] doing with a sadhu, you know?
So we followed that, and suddenly the cliché is broken…It’s becoming rare in India to find genuine holy men, as it’s becoming a business, so I was very touched by his humility.
He had worked so hard for many years to achieve his penance…and he is willing to abandon all that to look after an abandoned baby, getting back into the society, which is such a sacrifice. That really warmed me.
Did you find a common link between your subjects?
They all had this idea of devotion, that there is a bigger energy working somewhere, which was really interesting because, especially in the 21st century, what is the role of faith?
What is humanity if you take away our faith? And it might not be the religious kind; some young people, they focus that faith, oddly, in being a fan of Lady Gaga [laughs.]
It’s the same sort of emotion, when you see their faces and the screaming. I sense the same thing at the Kumbh Mela; people who take a holy dip come out, and their face is like yesterday here, some fans looking at Keira Knightley.
It could be hero-worshipping, it could be god-worshipping, [we are] all connected by some kind of faith.
Did being a part of this experience impact your own spirituality?
Just being there in this ocean of humanity is a feeling so hard to express, because something happens there… it truly is an uplifting spirit.
We had gone to the hospitals trying to find some stories… and the doctors told me, ‘Go to the Harvard camp… just like the sadhus, Harvard University set up a camp, and all the students are here, 400 of them.”
They were doing all scientific study [on the Kumbh Mela]. And they were all astonished; these were the students who grew up with Facebook, a really young generation, and they felt it [spiritual connection] as well.
They felt, ‘Oh my God, how will I go back to my dormitory or my classroom; this has been so intense.’ People were rethinking their PhD. They are not religious, but something sort of clicked.
Image and Video Courtesy:tiff.net
Matthew Currie
Author
A long-standing entertainment journalist, Currie is a graduate of the Professional Writing program at Toronto’s York University. He has spent the past number of years working as a freelancer for ANOKHI and for diverse publications such as Sharp, TV Week, CAA’s Westworld and BC Business. Currie ...
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Help! My Bestie Roommate Is A Nightmare
-
Pride 2023: Why Is India's Supreme Court Taking So Long To Legalize Same Sex Marriage?
