It's like receiving 100 different jigsaw puzzles of varying complexity and trying to make new one. You have to watch all the footage you filmed, and this is where you learn that you should have recorded for longer, or should have stopped recording sooner. Its kind of therapeutic as you're faced with watching what you shot. Both the good and bad.
I shot everything myself so there was no one else to blame. Equally people that have watched the final documentary film 'Hola Mahalla: The Forgotten Festival' have constantly referred to how beautifully its been filmed and edited.
“Filming and editing - perfect metaphors for life””
It's an exercise I recommend everyone try at least once in their lives. Go out with a goal to film something, edit the footage you've captured and see how close or far from your goal you are. Then think about the mistakes you've made along the way and how you would do things differently next time. Which shots you missed out on and how you would be better if you ever get a chance to do it all again. Filming and editing - perfect metaphors for life.
To buy the documentary on DVD click here or to watch it online via On-Demand click here.
Hola Mahalla is a little known Sikh festival that takes place annually in Anandpur, India. Dubbed the Sikh Olympics, it involves sword fights, daring horse stunts and a dab of spiritualism. This documentary focuses on the festival Hola Mahalla that has been running since the 17th century, showcasing skills such as swordsmanship and daring horse stunts that are with an ever decreasing number of nomadic Sikhs. Featuring key interviews with Nihang Jatherdar (High Priest) Baba Nihal Singh and Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar, Late Giani Tirlochan Singh. This beautifully shot film takes the viewer on a journey through the festival and Anandpur Sahib, the "City of Bliss", providing a snapshot into a world rarely experienced outside of India and exploring this Forgotten Festival.