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'Cinema has too many rules'

Arthur J Pais

Shekhar Kapur. Click for bigger pic!

With most major British publications hailing his Elizabeth as one of the most gripping and thought-provoking historical movies, and widespread predictions on both sides of the Atlantic that the movie is Oscar-bound, director Shekhar Kapur is very pleased these days.

But he is also apprehensive how the movie will play across America. The film, which cost (along with print and publicity) $ 30 million, has to gross at least $ 65 million in theatre and video release before it breaks even. Though it is one of the costliest films made in Britain, Elizabeth cost less than half of an average Hollywood project.

Gramercy, which is distributing the film in America, is confident that strong reviews and word of mouth will build a nationwide audience for the film which opens in limited release in the first week of November.

"I saw the film in contemporary terms," says Kapur, discussing the life and times of the 16th century British monarch, who overcame bloody opposition to her rule by having her foes massacred, then eschewed personal pleasures and vowed to be a virgin, and ruled England for over four decades

A still from Elizabeth

"Like Phoolan Devi, Elizabeth too had to fight against odds and do anything to survive," he says, drawing a parallel with the subject of his earlier film that gave him an international reputation.

"The film is about the choices we make. This is basically the dilemma Elizabeth faces as a very young person. What does she have to do to survive," Kapur continues. "Does she go on being a loving, joyous, caring, tactical human being, or does she cut that out and become an image -- a ruthless, powerful monarch, but, inside, just a shell."

"In small or large ways, many people face that, and that is what is very interesting in this film. It is a story set in a period but it is not a period film. It is about love and survival and I think that is what will attract people to it."

The film should also make us think of religion and spiritualism, Kapur says, recalling the violence triggered by religious passion in his home city, Bombay.

"Towards the end of the film, Elizabeth decides to give up her love and passions," he says. "She remains true to her new vows and will remain 'married to England' and be a dutiful person, and in a way she realises the spiritual dimensions...."

Click for bigger pic!

He did not want to make an overtly historical film. "Most of the details in the film are true but then there is some mythology too," he continued. "Myths are important too... When I grew up in India, I was not so much interested in the history in text books but the stories my grandmother told me."

"The challenge is to break the rules," he continues. "I think cinema has too many rules."

"I thought the sheer madness of doing this was so exciting, to make a very human story which, although historical, has the essence of something quite contemporary."

What was the main difference working in India and England?

"Everybody is a lot more organised in Britain," he says. "On the first day of the shooting, I saw 20 trailers and asked why there was a caravan park next to the place where we were filming."

"It was then that I was told it was the unit base!"

"In India we are like the Viet Cong; we adapt constantly because we have to work around so many problems in shooting, that for us to make a film is like running guerrilla warfare."

Nelson Mandela

"I have admiration for both ways of working, but, on balance, I prefer the organisation in Britain."

Would he want to make another film in India?

"I would be very, very disappointed if I can't make a musical."

But that project will have to wait till Mandela is completed. Based on the autobiography of the South African leader, Mandela is budgeted at $ 50 million, and is being produced by Anant Singh, the most prominent movie-maker in South Africa.

"We are seriously considering Morgan Freeman to play the older Mandela," Kapur said. "And we are looking for a younger actor, possibly a newcomer."

Given the budget of the film, it will be inevitable that a Hollywood studio will be a partner, Kapur feels.

Does he plan to settle down in London or Hollywood?

"No way," he says. "Bombay is where my home is. How can anyone leave Bombay?"