Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta
Deepa Mehta, OC OOntis an Indo-Canadian film director and screenwriter, most known for her Elements Trilogy, Fire, Earth, and Water; among which Earth was sent by India as its official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Water was Canada's official entry for Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making it only the second non-French-language Canadian film to put forth for consideration in that category, and the first to receive an Oscar nomination. She also...
ProfessionDirector
Date of Birth1 January 1950
interesting rays india
The most interesting part of IIFA is that I get to meet filmmakers from India. I just attended a symposium on Satyajit Ray with Rituparno Ghosh and others. It was just so satisfying
sitting scripts film
I've never seen or heard of a mob sitting down to read a film script.
drama hate years
I simply can't understand the stereotyping women as film makers who make soppy family dramas. Look at Katherine Bigelow: she has directed Point Break and Strange Days. I hate labels of any kind. Just because you are a woman you can't do this or that? Twenty years ago women entering the work force was enough of a shock. People just like the predictable; they feel safe with it. You know, it's such a bore
men differences making-a-difference
To make a film is very difficult - it doesn't make a difference whether you are a man or a woman
character perfect actors
One of the things that I really love about doing a film is working with actors and the whole casting process. I feel I'm not looking for actors. I feel I'm looking for characters. If the characters come from Bollywood, fine. If they come from Indian theater, perfect.
children eight years
It was difficult in India to find an eight year old who could play a widow. The reason for that is that most of the children in India are really exposed to Bollywood. It's commercial Indian cinema which is really over the top. To find an actor, or even a non-actor, who felt natural was difficult.
thinking mind looks
Once the script is done, I put it aside for a month. I start thinking of all the films that have influenced me, which I have liked for different reasons, and not necessarily the look, but films that have moved me. Some very strange films came to mind.
lines want scripts
While we're working on the script, I never see any films. I make it a point because I don't want to get distracted. I don't want to be influenced, and before I know it, have somebody say, "My God, she plagiarized that line."
thinking trying important
I think it's really important not to be so judgmental and not to be so fearful. Try to have confidence in yourself. Don't depend so much on what others say about you or want you to be.
care extremely finding indian platform strong themselves woman
I think the Indian woman is extremely strong and they are finding for themselves a platform to take care of themselves.
curious
I was curious about this. I wanted to know more.
australia gone indians largely mainstream march release spain talking
We aren't talking about theatres where Indians largely attend. Yes, 'Water' has gone mainstream with an 80-print release all over the US. But before that we have a large release at the end of March in Spain and Australia in April.
belief came conviction strength
The strength only came later. That was the conviction of a filmmaker. The strength came from my belief in the script.
abraham consequences hollywood honestly hottest john men ray women
Honestly it is of no consequence to me. My film has some of the loveliest performances I have seen. John Abraham and Lisa Ray will be right up there with the hottest Hollywood men and women after Water.