Seeing the city one grew up in through another’s eyes, especially that of a stranger to the city, often gives one a different perspective as familiar sights, sounds and smells take a fresh lease of life. Go Trivandrum, a travel video does just that; it gives viewers glimpses of Thiruvananthapuram through the eyes of Scarlett Pigot from Ireland.
The four-minute video is well shot, capturing places such as Edava, Balaramapuram, Vizhinjam and Poovar. A scene juxtaposing Scarlett against the green of Ponmudi is breathtaking as is the one of her walking up to a Robinson Crusoe kind of hut by a pristine Kappil beach.
Drone shots give one a bird’s eye view of the Kerala Government Secretariat, Kanakakunnu Palace, Palayam, Ponmudi… Instead of “cliché images” of Scarlett attending a Kathakali or Mohiniyattam performance or being fascinated by a chenda melam, Sameer Sakkariya, who has shot, directed and edited the video, shows Scarlett trying her hand at a loom and an elderly woman teaching her the art of draping a sari. Achappams taste sweeter to her, she says, when she scoops up perfectly shaped rosette cookies she’s made from the fiery wok. The smiles on the women who guide her, be it on the loom or while draping the sari, are warm and welcoming, “just like the city,” says Sameer.
Sameer, who has collaborated with fashion entrepreneur Sobha Viswanath for the video, says, Go Trivandrum is an ode to Thiruvananthapuram. The travel video is the début work from the duo’s newly launched production house Playmaker Film House.
“Both of us are from Thiruvananthapuram and know the place inside out. It thus made sense to make a film which showcased our home. Thiruvanthapuram has something for everyone; there are heritage places, beaches, hill stations...,” says Sobha, who runs Weaver’s Village. And the city has never looked greener or more inviting. “We tried to steer clear of stereotypical shots of the city. In fact, those who have had a preview of the video were surprised at how different the city looked. Many wondered where the places we shot were,” laughs Sameer, as he adds, “We wanted to include more footage of places in and around the district but felt the video would be too long.”
An IT guy-turned-avid photographer turned-filmmaker, Sameer says he learnt the art of filmmaking through YouTube videos. “While working in various IT companies in Bangalore, I started focusing on photography, which was a passion of mine. The passion slowly shifted to cinematography and film making,” says Sameer.
Sobha met Sameer through a mutual friend. “He showed me a travelogue he had done of Dubai and I was impressed by his work. We discovered that we shared a similar wavelength; both of us believe in making films with a difference, films that blend a social message into an entertainer. Playmaker Film House will make films, documentaries and advertisements,” says Sobha.
Scarlett Pigot in a scene from Go Trivandrum
The duo rub their hands in glee saying: “The Kerala Tourism Department has agreed to screen our video as part of their tourism promos of the city.”
Not only does the duo want more visitors to the city, courtesy the travel video, but hope to encourage more women to take up travelling.
“Many women want to see the world but wonder about safety. Through this video, we want women to know that it is okay to travel on your own or even as a group of women and hope more women will be inspired to spread their wings,” says Sobha.
Scarlett, is an avid solo traveller herself, says Sameer. He met her at a restaurant at Varkala. “I was looking for a foreigner for my video when I met Scarlett. She told me about her adventures across the globe and I felt she would fit the role to a T. Our shoot took her from Varkala to Ponmudi, Poovar and the city. At the end of the shoot, she told us how she felt like home here. She is now in Varkala and might join us for the video launch.”
Up next from the Playmaker Film House is a travel video on Kochi. “Also, Sameer has written a script, which we hope to turn into a film. It will be a bilingual and hopefully star Dhanush,” says Sobha.
Anniina Vivian has dubbed for Scarlett while Rahul Prabhakaran is the sound designer of Go Trivandrum.