Bertrand rues India has not seen his films

PANAJI: French filmmaker, screenwriter and producer Bertrand Tavernier, conferred the lifetime achievement award at the International film festival of India (Iffi) 2011 on Wednesday, said it was a “paradox and an irony of life” that he was “being honoured in a country that had not released a single one of his films”.
“No one here has seen my films,” he complained, adding, “I watch Indian television but see only American films.What about all the Italian, Spanish and Romanian films?” he asked. Tavernier’s film ‘The Princess of Montpensier’ was the closing film at Iffi 2010.
The journalist, turned PR person, turned film director says he does not think of his audience when he makes his films. “I make a film that pleases me, first. I don’t want to surrender completely to what today’s audiences want and become a slave of technology. I believe in emotions,” Tavernier said.
That the septuagenarian bases his films at changing the world, and especially his country, France, is not new. He, however, has a grievance. “The world is heading towards a crisis because we are being ruled by people with no moral values. What’s more frightening is that no one is reacting. Today’s youth, especially youngsters in France, are driven by instant success and brands. They want to make money, fast, without knowing anything. They’re ignorant and are happy that way,” he grumbled.
On his part, Tavernier, an admirer of Satyajit Ray, is trying to make a change by portraying education and culture in his films. “These two are weapons that can change the world,” he said, adding that his films have changed the lives of many. “My films have inspired 18 people to become school teachers and four to become cops,” he said. Tavernier, who likes to “control every aspect of his film” says he made a lot of films that portrayed reality in France and was met with brickbats from the government. “Criticism only makes me tough. French directors are active politically. Ministers change, but filmmakers don’t. We will win over politicians,” he emphasized.
The director, who has been to India five times before says he would consider shooting a film here. “I just need to find the right subject. Maybe something on Indo-French relations?” he thought out loud.
Two career changes later, is he happy where he is? “I wanted to be a filmmaker at 13 and I still stand by it. All the other jobs I took up were only to make some money so I could keep watching more films. What more could I ask for when I have a job that can surprise and astonish me in a beautiful way about 10-15 times a day. It’s like a dream, only better. Almost like falling in love,” he smiles.