Private Project

God on a leash

An ancestral artform survives through the veneration of Hanuman, a hindu deity with a monkey face and human body. This is the story of being held on a leash to the hands of faith, heritage and poverty that explores the concept of humanism and divinity.

  • Varun Chopra
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Student
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 12 seconds
  • Production Budget:
    4,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes
Director Biography - Varun Chopra

Varun Chopra is a Filmmaker and Sundance Institute's Ignite Fellow for the year 2018 in association with Adobe Project1324. He is also one of the seven fellows of Visual Communication’s Armed with a Camera fellowship for 2017-18.

Born and raised in New Delhi, Varun Chopra graduated from LMU School of Film and Television in LA where he focused on stories of common people with aspects of social justice. He was the recipient of the SFTV Dean’s Scholarship.

At 23, He became the youngest Indian national to screen work at Cannes. His films have showcased at various International film festivals and screenings. Varun works in LA as a freelance director/editor and currently editing a TV Show streaming on Netflix.

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Director Statement

I was acquainted with this cultural practice at a very young age and through this film, I attempted to observe and unravel the predicament of a child tied on a emblematic leash of poverty, faith and heritage. I was personally moved by how the practice of veneration of a symbol of strength unearths an unbreakable cycle of physical, social and material oppression.

I was also motivated by the idea of capturing a rare insight into the lives of niche performers, pushed to the fringes of the society. I experienced aspects of great profundity mixed with sorrow while capturing the child get ready and perform on the streets. My attempt is to impart visceral qualities of a rustic folk tale to the piece through the camera and sound work.