Understanding a unique bond

The film is written and directed by Anup himself, a film-maker who already has a few short films on topical issues to his credit. His recent film The Nemesis won the best short film award at the corporate level in 2008. It was a story about four friends, their lives, love and drugs and Anup tells it using first time actors and crew.

“‘Words is a film that enters the world of the deaf. I was fascinated by the way deaf people communicate more especially in ASL (American Sign Language). That is why my story is based in New York,” he explained at a press conference.

Slated to be screened at international film festivals shortly, the film is 18 minutes long. “We were delighted when Russell Harvard, a prolific actor, consented to act in the film. Although it is a non-commercial venture, we still had to raise adequate funds to finance the project,” he says.

Shot entirely in Central Park, New York, especially at the iconic Bethesda Fountain, the entire film revolves around the bond that develops between a deaf man and a woman, who is a photographer. She takes his picture in the park one day struck by the aura of sadness that surrounds him and they get acquainted. As they begin to communicate their relationship grows.

“It took five days in all to complete.Working with Russell was a joy as he is both talented and highly professional. Now that I know the ropes of making a film in America, I am quite willing to help film-makers back home who would like to make films there. I am also looking at projects in India in regional languages in the future,” he adds.