Support the film " The Riddle"

My feature film "The Riddle" is getting ready!

Casting and other pre-production works are on! 

It is truly an independent film with a brave theme!

First schedule of the shooting will take place on 20-30 October 2013 in Chennai!

Kindly support the film!

You can contribute to the film financially by following the link given below!

http://www.theriddlefilm.com/

The Riddle : A film made with public funding!

SEEKING SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS AND WELL WISHERS!

Dear friends

Greetings.

I am a filmmaker, media activist and festival director currently based in Chennai. I have made 18 documentaries so far including SHIT, SERUPPU, NOTES FROM THE CREMATORIUM, RADIATION STORIES (3 PART SERIES), MERCURY IN THE MIST AND THODARUM NEETHI KOLAIGAL. My films have won many awards, were and are screened at many festivals, screenings, workshops and film schools.

I conduct film screenings, film festivals and film workshops regularly as well.

To know more about my films and my work please visit: http://amudhanrp.blogspot.in

I have always made documentaries using public money. 50% of the expenses will be contributed by the friends and well wishers. 50% of the contribution will be from me which includes equipment (camera, editing set up), physical work, cinematography, editing and direction.

This mode has helped to me make films the way I wanted to and on the topic or issues that I chose. I believed/ believe in taking the films to the public directly and to screen them - which I have done to all my films consistently.

Profit making has never been a motivation behind my films. I wanted to make films, screen them as much possible, or distribute as much as possible.

I have never applied for any funding from any private or public institution. It has been my choice.

Now I am making my feature film. It is called  "The Riddle". It is about 3 men and their sexualities.

The film will give an inside view of men's secret sex world which is filled with frustration, anxiety, insecurity and jealousy. Through the process we can understand and discuss men's hangover and hypocrisy about sexuality. It will help us to problematise and deconstruct the myths and mysteries that surround masculinities.

I would like to raise money for the film (approximately Rs.40 lakh/ 80,000 US dollars) from the public. I would like to request my friends and well wishers to support the film.

You can send a cheque or a Demand Draft (R.Amudhan payable at Madurai), or you can deposit in my bank account (R.Amudhan, Indian Overseas Bank; 21330 0000 11705) or you can contribute through the website (www.theriddlefilm.com) or through crowd funding platforms (Indiegogo or by contributing in person with cash.

The minimum amount can be Rs.500  (10 US dollars). The maximum amount can be Rs. 5000 (100 US dollars).

Whatever money raised for the film will be used under the following headings:

1) Script writing (consultancy, research, dialogues)

2) Pre production ( casting, location, rehearsal, teasers)

3) Production (shooting: rent of equipment, remuneration for the crew and cast, costumes, set, travel, food, stay, location rents,

4) Post production (editing, sound design, digital intermediate)

The money raised for the film will be accounted and displayed in the website (www.theriddlefilm.com) for the public.

We will aim to release the film across the country.

The profit that we earn from the film will be used to make more such low budget, engaging and challenging films.

Amudhan R.P.
Director/producer
The Riddle

Shooting plan!

Our feature film "The Riddle" will be shot in 3 cities.

It is about 3 men.

A will be set in Chennai.

B will be set in Hyderabad.

C will be set in Bangalore.


Pedestrian Pictures, Bangalore has come forward to co produce the Bangalore portion of the film.

Amudhan R.P.
Director/producer
The Riddle

Why Crowd Funding?

Why crowd funding?

There are many ways to raise money for a film. You can pool in your personal money either from your savings or by selling your property. You can take a loan from a bank or a government or private financier. You can go for an institutional funding from a corporate company or a government. You can approach a producer or a production company who can produce the film.

Going to the public for contribution is a tough, prolonged and labored but a democratic method. It is also a political statement.

Firstly the filmmaker starts talking about the project while raising the money from the public. A discussion is initiated on the theme even before the film is being made. After all, discussion is the aim behind making the film.

Secondly the filmmaker who chooses the crowd funding method for fund raising becomes independent of any corporate or government funding which has got its own agenda. You may agree or disagree with the agenda. But the filmmaker has not become part of any campaign voluntarily or involuntarily.

Thirdly the filmmaker's artistic freedom is respected in this crowd funding method, where it is the creative drive of the filmmaker is the only force that operates behind the film. It is the filmmaker who decides the theme, form, cast and crew of the film.

Fourthly all of us become the joint producers of the film by contributing to the film. It is like a community coming together to build a house or to cut a tank or to organize a festival. Any community activity is welcome in this acute privatized and "liberalized" ambiance which allows us to think and plan a process together.


Finally, this crowd funding method allows and gives space to anyone who aspires to make films or to do anything constructively irrespective of their background, or connections or limitations! This method is a tried and tested one where all of us can take part creatively and constructively.

Welcome to crowd funding!

Amudhan R.P.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-riddle/x/3874825

Teaser Launch!

We invite you to

Chennai Monthly Screenings
&
TEASER LAUNCH for the feature film “The Riddle”

Jointly organised by MARUPAKKAM, Padapetti & Book Point

27 July 2013; 4-8 pm

Book Point (opp. to Spencer Plaza)

Guest speakers:
Prof. A. Marx – writer/activist; Trotsky Maruthu – artist; Rohini – actor/director; Rose – actor/director

The films:

4 pm:
1) WOMEN’S POLICE STATION
Dir: Ulrike Mothes
64 min;Tamil, Kannada and Urdu with English subtitles; 2012; Documentary; Germany

When the 31 policewomen of Halasuru Gate Women’s Police Station in Bangalore pursue their work, they don’t only accommodate domestic quarrels and dowry conflicts but also defend their authority against accused husbands and fathers in law and discuss the perfect wedding.

5:10
2) "This or That Particular Person" 
Dir: Subasri Krishnan
28 min; 2012; English; Documentary; India

This or That Particular Person is a documentary film that examines the relationship between the State, identity and notions of personhood. It locates contemporary debates around the Unique Identity number (UID or Aadhar) within a longer history of identity documents and the different meanings they hold for people. 

Discussion on Aadhar card.
Guest speaker: Prof. A. Marx – writer/activist

6:00 pm
3) Teaser launch for the feature film “The Riddle” by Amudhan R.P.

Felicitation:
Trotsky Maruthu – artist
Rohini – actor/director
Rose – actor/director

6:30 pm
4) Wild
Dir: Edward Bishop
12:40 min; 2012; English; UK

WILD is about the unsettling effect of a rumor on a teenage girl.
When Laura hears that her boyfriend, Sam may have cheated on her, it tips her life upside down. She attempts to return it to normal – meeting with Sam to test his feelings for her – but soon realizes that doubt, once seeded, is not so easy to uproot.

6:45 pm
5) Nijam Enga
Dir: Kirubaharan Ambru
3:5 min; Music Video; India 

'Nijam yenge'' is an environmental music video that aims to create awareness among the people about the environmental issues.

7:00 pm
6) Txiki
Dir: Sergio San Martin 
27 min; Spanish with English subtitles; 2012; Documentary; Spain

Txiki is a documentary piece structured around artist Txiki Medina and focused on the creative process of an oil painting. In order to put together his peculiar geometry, the artist takes inspiration from urban spaces and spoilt aspects of Nature, places filled with elements which, rather than sought, have been encountered.

7:30 pm
7) Honey
Dir:Lucero Sanchez Novaro
16 min; Spanish with English subtitles; 2012; Short film; Mexico

Isa and Ana’s strong friendship bond helps them overcome their teenage life--fraught with solitude, confusion, and neglect. When Isa goes through a very painful situation, the two decide to leave the city and take Ana’s baby boy with them.

All are welcome!

Amudhan R.P.
Curator 
Chennai Monthly Screenings.

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-riddle/x/3874825

Truly an Independent film!

Dear friends!

I am in the process of making a feature film on sexuality. The film will be a complete independent film. I am seeking contributions from the audience. This is called crowd funding. This is not a new thing. Already so many films have been made across the world.

You can produce the film by contributing to it. If you believe that we need all kinds of cinema, do support the film.

There are two ways to support my film. You can contribute through either

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-riddle

or 

http://www.theriddlefilm.com/

You can use your credit cards, debit cards, ATM cards or other e transfer to contribute to the film.

Thank you.

Amudhan R.P.
Director/producer

www.theriddlefilm.blogspot.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/567766213269534/

https://www.facebook.com/TheRiddleMovement

www.theriddlefilm.com

The Riddle - a film on men!

Why a film on men?

I am making a film on sexuality and the anxieties men have about it. Through the three stories we shall try to understand the various masculinities that operate among men and around men.

The film will give us an opportunity to debate and discuss the various levels of pressure that the men face every day and kind of violence men face from the fellow men. The film will indirectly question the male bonding across the caste, class and linguistic barriers against women. 

As more and more women are coming to work in this era of globalisation, as the traditional equations are facing serious threats from the changes, men who have been enjoying the power so far struggle to respond it to it positively.

As we see a steep rise in violence on women in urban centres, it is imperative for us to understand and address the insecurities of "globalised" Indian men; we should be able to connect the sudden increase of acid attacks, rapes, child abuses to the bruised and beaten up men's ego which thrives on false entitlement of power over women.

I am dealing with three stories which will show the inside view of men's world and as a man who wants to work towards gender equality I am trying to betray my tribe by blowing the whistle!

Amudhan R.P.