Deepa Mehta: Independence is Filmmaking's True North

Deepa Mehta, celebrated at the Singapore International Film Festival with a lifetime achievement award, reflected on her impactful career. She discussed the controversies surrounding her groundbreaking films, such as 'Fire' and 'Water,' which tackled sensitive social issues in India. Despite facing significant opposition and threats, these experiences ultimately solidified her commitment to independent cinema and influenced her decision to consider Canada her home.

Mehta shared her father's advice that one never knows how a film will be received, a sentiment that has guided her. She revealed a remarkable track record of every script she has written being produced, attributing this success to her extensive pre-production workshopping, inspired by ancient Indian performance texts. This meticulous process helps refine her storytelling before shooting begins.

Looking ahead, Mehta is working on "Forgiveness," a film exploring themes of reconciliation and historical trauma based on a book about Japanese-Canadian internment during World War II. She expressed concern over increasing political pressures in both Hollywood and Bollywood but remains a strong advocate for independent filmmaking, urging young directors to pursue their own stories with unwavering independence.