The Counterpart: A Bengali Thriller film like no other travels the world
“Gripping: On the thin divide between Sanity and Lunacy”
Hello, dear readers! I’m Abhinandan Ghose, the creative force behind Pandora’s Reel. Today, I invite you to embark on a rollercoaster journey with me, spanning over a decade, filled with dreams, setbacks, and the ultimate taste of success.
A Dream Takes Shape
Over a decade ago, I conceived a 40-minute short film titled ‘The Counterpart.’ It was more than just a script; it marked my first venture into original screenplay writing. We believed that this project held the key to our dreams of making it to the big screen.
Learning from Failure
Our dreams were ambitious, but the harsh reality was different. Financial constraints forced us to abandon ‘The Counterpart’ after just a few months. However, in the world of storytelling, every setback is merely another chapter waiting to be written.
Years Passed: A Tribute to Feluda
Years went by, and life continued to evolve. We ventured into new projects, including ‘Kishor Rahasya AKA The Mystery Man,’ a mini-series paying homage to Satyajit Ray’s Feluda.
My brother, Anirban Ghose, honed his cinematography skills at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute in Kolkata. We eagerly awaited Anirban’s return, as our days of amateur filmmaking had come to an end. I had left my job, and we were determined to make filmmaking our profession. Plans were in motion to create two short films in 2020, once Anirban completed his course. However, just as our ambitions were about to take flight, the pandemic struck.
Navigating the Pandemic Storm
The pandemic left me with anxieties and frequent panic attacks. Maintaining sanity during these trying times felt incredibly challenging. My mental state was crumbling and I felt a deep-seated paranoia in my heart. The phase took a toll on my mental health until this film brought me back.
A Dream is ‘Contagious’
Amid the darkness, a glimmer of hope emerged. My friend and the founder of Frontrunner Entertainments, one of Kolkata’s most promising audio production houses, Mr. Navonil Bhattacharya, helped me find my way back to mental stability. It was during this time that I penned the screenplay for a two-hour Bengali feature-length film named ‘Contagious,’ inspired by the script of ‘The Counterpart’ that had remained dormant for a decade. The project was resurrected, infusing our lives with a renewed sense of purpose.
The Uphill Climb
Yet, the path forward was uncertain. We didn’t know where to turn, how to approach producers, or even how to secure the necessary funding. Seeking guidance, we reached out to Uma D’Cunha, India’s most senior film programmer. She informed us that she couldn’t assist at the screenplay stage unless we had a film. The challenge was clear: we had no funds and no film. Nevertheless, we were undeterred.
A Leap of Faith: Crowdfunding
Our journey began with crowdfunding, a daunting task during a pandemic. With the support of friends, family, and acquaintances, we raised enough funds to create a 16-minute short film, appropriately titled ‘The Counterpart.’ Our friend and fellow writing team member, Soumik Seal, crafted a two-minute pitch video that showcased our vision and passion.
Creating the Short Film
To bring our short film to life, we received support from Anirban’s peers at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, including Producer Ruchika Gupta, Cinematographer Manoj Sundar, and Aakash Sethi. We shot the film amidst the pandemic. Editor Rahul Basak provided valuable advice on creating a compelling trailer from the short film.
An Unexpected Breakthrough
Armed with the completed short film, we once again reached out to Uma Da Cunha. This time, our efforts didn’t go unnoticed. She congratulated us on completing the film and praised our dedication. Thanks to her assistance, our film received invitations to the ’15th Indian Film Festival of Houston‘ in Texas and the ’20th Indian Film Festival of Stuttgart‘ in Germany. Earlier this month, our film was screened at the University campus of MAKAUT, the Engineering and Technology University of West Bengal, with the help of my fellow filmmaker friend, Samman Roy. Recently our film has received invitation from Korea securing selection at International Film Festival of South Asia in Seoul.
Local Screenings and Beyond
Since January this year, we’ve been hosting private screenings of ‘The Counterpart’ in our beloved hometown, Kolkata. Our goal is to reach as many viewers as possible, and we’re eager to expand our local audience. If you’re interested in organizing a screening, feel free to contact us at pandorasreel@gmail.com or reach out to us at 9433052554 / 9619572159.
Seeking Producers, Investors, and Financiers: ‘Contagious’
Our journey has been one of relentless determination and unwavering passion. Now, we’re on the lookout for producers, investors, and financiers to join us in bringing ‘Contagious,’ our feature-length project, to life. Together, we can turn dreams into reality.
Our journey, from despair to revival, is a testament to the power of community and the resilience of the human spirit. It proves that even in the darkest of times, creative passion can shine through. Stay tuned as we continue to weave stories, share our experiences, and take our vision to new heights. The line between sanity and lunacy may be thin, but it’s also the line between dreaming and achieving. And we’re here to cross it.