Gita Govinda, 2013, 35 minutes
Synopsis:
The 18th century Pahari miniatures illustrating the verses of ‘Gita Govinda’ by the poet Jayadeva, are also loving and intimate portraits of the verdant landscape of the Kangra Valley. Nature becomes a primary actor and the director focuses on the alchemy of the ‘transformation of nature in art.’
On the Film:
The Gita-Govinda, a 12th-century epic poem, sings of the tormented love between the young god Krishna and Radha. The mise en scène and sound design infuse the miniature paintings with enchanted life. ”
– Cinéma du Réel
“ Gita Govinda stays closest to the paintings themselves, employing audio cues and a virtuosic collage style to bring the dynamic compositions by Nainsukh’s artistic heirs to life.”
– Max Goldberg, BAMPFA
” Dutta’s primary emphasis is on the process of image-making, on how an idea becomes material…a reflection on the close relation between nature and art. “
– The Seventh Art, Official Selection Brive Film festival