I went to Patang after I couldn't get into the film I wanted to see that night. I had planned on watching an hour and a half of the grey landscapes of the GDR, so Patang was a colourful visual surprise.
The film follows a group of family and friends in Ahmedabad, India, who are surprised by a visit from a relative and his daughter, who live in Delhi. The family's past and future come together during Uttarayana, India's largest kite festival.
Made over a 7-year period, this film was clearly a labour of love for the Chicago-based director, Prashant Bhargava. This was the second film I'd watched at the festival that was made by an ex-pat born outside their family's country of origin (the other being Circumstance). For both films, the directors clearly did a great deal of research in order to bring the country to life. In Bhargava's case, he spent three full years doing research before beginning to film. Never having been to India, it's impossible for me to comment on the accuracy or realism of the film, but Bhargava's decision to cast non-actors in almost all the major and minor roles gave the film a feeling of realism that certainly wasn't present in say, Slumdog Millionaire.
The film strenuously avoided sensationalism and pathos, which was refreshing. I did feel that it could have been more plot-driven while still capturing the languid beauty of the kite festival. I appreciated the way the characters held onto traditions they found meaningful, rather than mindlessly embracing modern "progress" with all its conveniences and compromises.
In addition to the director, who answered questions after the film, Vikram Vij was also in the audience. While he asked a number of articulate questions, I was disappointed that he and his entourage did not provide snacks.
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