New Delhi: Andy Tennant, the director of films like ‘Fools Rush In’, ‘Ever After’, ‘Hitch’ and ‘Fool’s Gold’, claims that his next film will have a significant Indian involvement. Though the only Indian actor he knows is Aishwarya Rai, but he is looking forward to learn more about Indian cinema. Tennant is in India for the 14th Mumbai Film Festival.
Screenwriter and director Andy Tennant, who started his career by directing hit television shows such as ‘The Wonder Years’ and ‘Parker Lewis Can't Lose’, has many successful films to his credit. He is also the jury president for the international competition for the First Feature Films of Directors. Tennant talks about his love for movies, Indian films and more in an interview...
What brings you to the Mumbai Film Festival?
They were kind enough to invite me. I loved India when I came here for the first time, which was soon after ‘Hitch’, but I have actually not spent much time in Mumbai. It’s an honour to be back. I wanted to see more of Indian cinema; unfortunately I am a part of the international jury. Though I will not get to see much apart from the movie theatre, but I plan to sneak out for some time and check out other films in the competition.
You will also conduct a master class in direction at the festival. Do you want to give any tips to the beginners?
When I was coming up in the business, other filmmakers used to tell me the experiences they have been through. There is often a lot of fear involved in directing a movie. I am hoping to just show that, at times it’s okay to not know what you are doing, sometimes it’s okay to just trust your actors, sometimes it’s okay to say that the cover is red when everyone around say its black. At times it’s difficult to defend a joke and prove that it is funny, until you put it in front of the audiences. I also want to talk about other aspects of the discipline and have some fun.
You are a screen writer as well as a director, what according to you is the most important aspect of making a film?
I think it’s all about good writing. A writer faces a blank page, whereas everyone else from actor, director, production designer, cinematographer to composer, interpret his writing. We do bring creative talent to the discipline, but the true creation is in the writing. Story and characters are very important for a film. What I am really looking forward in the films at the competition is authentic story telling. Sometimes you don’t have the visual technique to tell a story. At times it’s more interesting when the camera doesn’t move at all and you are absolutely captivated.
Does working on your own scripts give you more creative freedom? What do you enjoy more, writing or directing?
I think yes, I have written everything I have done, for good or for bad. At times I feel much more satisfied with writing as its very personal, but I have a lot more fun when I am directing. While directing, you are surrounded with lot of creative people, who are there for the same reason as you are. I just love to see the collaborative process. Writing to me is so much harder as its all by yourself.
From your long list of films, which is the closest to your heart?
I would say, ‘Ever After’. I wrote that movie when I just had two daughters. It was the perfect expression of what I was hoping to give as a gift to my daughters. A good story that they can enjoy when they grow up. So, it was a great experience personally as well as creatively.
Do you follow Indian films? Do you recognise any Bollywood actors?
I do know Aishwarya Rai, but I am not exposed much to the Indian cinema. This is one of the reasons why I was looking forward to come here. I have a lot of international films to catch at the festival, but I will also try to see the movies being screened under the India Gold 2012, which is running concurrently at MFF.
Would you like to work with any Indian filmmaker or actor?
I would love to, I am hoping to write and direct a film that takes place in India. However, I don’t want to jinx it, so can’t reveal any more details about it.
Hindi film ‘Partner’ is inspired from your film ‘Hitch’. Did you know about it?
I have heard that its more than just inspired by ‘Hitch’, I think it was a complete rip off. I would love to see it and will ask somebody for a copy. I know filmmakers across the world are very sensitive about their own product, but I am a little less possessive. Probably ‘Partner’ has more inside jokes and things people in India will find much more amusing than what we did in our movie. However, I don’t think it’s really a good idea. I do understand that many times people are inspired by other people’s work and want to translate it in some other form, but if it’s a direct rip off then its plagiarism.
So apart from the Mumbai film festival what is keeping you busy?
My four kids about to go to college. Jokes apart, I am trying to write the movie which will be shot in India as well, it will have a significant Indian involvement.
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