First Impressions

An Interview with Aditya Assarat Early in the Mentorship

What interested you most about participating in the Rolex Arts Initiative?

The chance to work with Mira Nair and to be a part of a multi-disciplinary arts programme, where artists from different fields can share their perspectives. When we’re so involved with our own work, it’s rare to get the chance to learn from artists working in a different medium, who actually share a lot of the same perspectives.

Have you ever had a mentor before?

No. Certain film-makers have influenced my work but they were not mentors. I admire the writer Haruki Murakami – he is more of an influence on me that any film-maker.

What do you hope to get out of this collaboration?

To be able to produce my first feature film with Mira Nair's help. I am looking both for artistic interchange and practical advice, but it is easier to begin with something practical.

I also hope to assist Mira Nair on one of her films, that I can make a contribution.

Finally, I hope that with her help I can reach a wider audience. I think Mira Nair taking an interest and supporting me will help to make other people aware of my films as well.

So far, what is the best part of being a Rolex protégé?

There are a lot of good things about it. For me, what is particularly important is to find someone who can help me in the practical sense.

What was your first impression of your mentor?

She is very small, but she has a lot of confidence, a lot of energy and a big smile! She has a lot of life, a lot of character.

The first time we met she invited me for dinner in her home. I talked with her family, with her son. We talked about football, not film.

How do you think your work is similar to or different from your mentor’s?

I think we are by nature both interested in people – real stories about real people. And we both respect the documentary aspect of film – the ability of film to try to find the truth.

Do you think that Mira Nair's guidance will change your approach to film?

It is important to understand the full life of an artist. In film, business is as important as art. Mira is a very successful film-make artistically but also commercially. It’s a rare combination. I hope to learn how she approaches her work and balances both sides, as I think that is always the greatest challenge for a film-maker because this art form that we work in is so commercial. You cannot make an interesting film without money, but at the same time, all the money in the world can’t always produce an interesting film. How to do both at the same time, that is always the challenge.