Starting a new film club
A couple of weeks ago I wrote about starting a new film club. That idea began to take shape this week.
The problem with existing film clubs in Bangalore
Most existing screening groups in Bangalore don’t function like clubs. They select films, but there’s rarely room for members to shape that experience — whether it is by curating, hosting, or contributing in other ways. This was a common complaint I came across within the TPCC (The Parallel Cinema Club) community, in particular, over the past two years.
They also tend to miss the sense of play and discovery that draws many of us to cinema in the first place. There rarely is a screening to which you'd want bring your friends to. (I have taken my friends to a few, only for them to never come back again.)
Finally, the approach to curating often feels detached from the world around us. I’ve always felt that films matter most when they move us personally or challenge us politically — and not just when we analyze the technical decisions that went into their making.
Coming next: December screenings at Underline, Center
As of now, the plan is to start with weekly screenings at Underline Center from December. We're working on finalizing the name, and the curation for the first month as of now. Hopefully, all of that will be settled by next week.
The goal is to create a space where watching films feels both joyful and reflective. A space you’d want to return to every week.
Cooking for friends is easier than cooking for myself
On Saturday, I had invited a few friends over for lunch.
I ended up cooking more dishes than I had expected. The meal consisted of:
- Rice
- Dal tadka
- Postor bora
- Shukto
- Mullet, fried
- Palak chicken
- Palak paneer, and
- Banana bread
When I cook for myself — if I do that at all — I usually cook rice and one dish to go with it (two, if I'm in the mood, but that happens rarely).
Cooking for myself sometimes feels like a chore (especially when I'm not trying out a new recipe). But when I know I'm doing it for friends, I find myself more naturally interested.
I think the same impulse works with the film club (to an extent) — watching films together with other people makes the experience more exciting.