Part documentary and part fiction feature, “John & Jane” is a film set in the call centers of Mumbai that explores the effects of globalization on six call agents. Indian by day and American by night, the employees’ split-identity lives warp their sense of reality in a disturbing way.
“For me, the idea of virtual “call agents” with fake American identities who talked on the phone all night seemed straight out of science fiction,” says “John & Jane” director Ashim Ahluwalia. “I imagined that this job must have some odd psychological side effects, because it is quite a bizarre job if you think about it.” Along with donning American aliases, the call agents must attend accent neutralization classes, watch Hollywood movies, and study American shopping flyers as part of their “cultural training.” The six employees featured in the film represent different shades of distorted reality–from those who hate the job to those who love it to the point of abandoning their Indian identity. The most startling character is the re-named Naomi, a Gujarati girl who bleaches her skin and hair and speaks with an American accent even outside working hours.
Ahluwalia says that some people have mistaken “John and Jane” for a fiction feature, since the camerawork is so composed and some scenes appear to be scripted. But the Mumbai-born director says this ambiguity is intentional. “It is a documentary because everything is real, but it’s shot on 35mm film, which is rare for a so-called documentary,” he says. “So it looks like a normal feature film. I like that you have to question whether it’s reality or fiction.”
But the film’s look into globalization is anything but fictional. While there are economic benefits to outsourcing, the psychological effects on what Ahluwalia calls the “souls of the outsourced” is debatable. “The positives are that young people are making more money than at other non-call center jobs, they have more independence, women have more freedom at this job and so on,” Ahluwalia says. “But at the same time, there is some serious cultural confusion. It can be difficult to have your body in India but your mind in America at the same time.”
“John & Jane” has already been well-received by the international press after its film festival circuit, and Ahluwalia says he is amazed at the response. The movie will be distributed by HBO in the U.S., and will air in January 2007. But he says his next film will be “far less accessible.” Called “Miss Lovely,” Ahluwalia’s next project will be set in 1980s Bollywood. “It’s a totally different feel–warm and not futuristic at all,” he says. “It’s more of an experiment than “John & Jane.”
Here’s our spotlight on Ashim:
What have you been listening to lately?
Lots of 1980s Bollywood. I am trying to collect things for my next film. Obviously Bappi Lahiri (circa 1982), Kalyanji Anandji, some Sonic Omi, and RD Burman. But somehow, the Tamil soundtracks seem closer to what I am looking for.
What was the last movie you saw?
Yesterday I saw “Japon” by Carlos Reygadas which wasn’t for me. The Hollywood I watch is usually on planes–I saw “Crash” and didn’t understand why it turned into a music video at some point. I liked the Korean film “Lady Vengeance” by Park Chanwook.
Off the top of your head, what do you think are the top five movies of all time?
I’m really bad at this. I feel like I’m compelled to say “Godfather” even though it isn’t really on my top five!
Is there anyone in particular that you’re watching out for in the film world in India at the moment? A certain director?
India is pretty barren as far as interesting film is concerned. But the films being made East of us are more exciting. There is a lot of energy in Thai film, or stuff from Korea and Taiwan. I’ve always liked Japanese cinema–even more recent directors like Sogo Ishii, Shinji Aoyama and Takeshi Miike.
What was the last book you read?
X-Rated: The Mitchell Brothers: A True Story of Sex, Money, and Death…San Francisco pornographers in the 1970s who made “Behind The Green Door”–one brother ended up killing the other in 1991. It’s quite a sad and sordid tale.
What is your favorite place to eat when you are in New York? What about Mumbai?
In New York, my friends Maggie and Tony’s restaurant, Le Madeline (403 W. 43rd Street) has really good people and proper food. In Bombay, Brittania (Ballard Estate) has berry pulao with special berries gathered from Iran. There is a photo of the owner’s late pet rooster on the wall.
