Oscar Honour for Raju

Why choose an Indian subject to make this film?

I have always enjoyed working outside of Europe. It is challenging,but at the same time,very rewarding to open one’s mind to a foreign culture and to break clichés that exist back home in Europe. We had the feeling that there really was a story worth telling. In the past there have been reports about the abuse of foreign adoption rules by Europeans. There is little discussion about a large number of Western parents,who try to circumvent international regulations on foreign adoption. Our filmschool,Hamburg Media School,Germany,has a collaboration with a filmschool in Kolkata called Roop Kala Kendra. That is why we started our research on the film and got working.

How was the shooting experience in India?

We were overwhelmed by the friendly collaboration with our Indian crew members. Even though many things are handled differently in Germany and regulations in India are a lot more complicated and restrictive for filmmakers than they are in Germany,the artistes and technicians are highly professional and have an impressive sense for the art of movie making. I miss the Indian crew quite often. I hope that I can return soon to make another Indo-German movie.

And the Indian actors?

That would be a question for Max Zaehle,our director. As a producer I had the impression that German and Indian actors had a very professional collaboration and the performances look incredible in the final cut.

You started work with an NGO called We Help,post Raju. Tell us about it.

While shooting for Raju ,most of the German crew was living at Lake Gardens in Kolkata for more than three months. We had a lot of wonderful encounters on the streets there. On our return to Germany,we felt the need to do something,to help children in Kolkata,something that would be useful for them. We felt we could spread a word in Germany about ignorance in Europe towards the ‘right way to help’,and then maybe,we can raise awareness with the film. With the NGO,we hope to support selected initiatives in Kolkata.

What opportunities do such awards offer for filmmakers?

Films know two currencies: revenues and awards. With a movie like this,which is not focused on being a commercial product,one relies on critical acclaim. Winning a Student Academy Award definitely helps to be taken seriously in an industry,that is as unpredictable as ours.