‘Give a minute to life’ reads the line on the screen. This is the begining of War or Peace? a one-minute film directed by Ritesh Sinha and produced by Samir Seth Productions. The film shows a pregnant woman (Rhea Pillai) in the throes of labour pains being rushed to the hospital by her husband. He gets killed in a bomb blast as we see the wife’s shocked face. Next, we see the woman in a hospital bed with her baby. With the husband’s death symbolising war and the baby’s birth symbolising life and peace, the film ends with asking the viewer...war or peace?...you choose. Though simplistic, the film does convey it’s message and is timely in the present volatile atmosphere.
In a press conference held on April 11 at Nosh restaurant, the producer, director and Rhea Pillai who makes her film debut with War or Peace? spoke to the press about the film. Said Ritesh Sinha, “War or Peace? is a statement against the present global situation. Nations in their lust for control of resources and power have become blind to the harm they cause to the world. We have to pause and see where the human race is headed.” Added Samir Seth, “I was working on another film myself when Ritesh came to me with the script. When I heard the concept I felt this was a film that needed to be made.” Rhea Pillai added that she was deeply disturbed by the violence in the world and was proud to have made her debut with a film that spoke against war.
When asked why he chose the unconventional one-minute format to tell his story, Sinha replied, “I wanted to get my message across in a precise and clear manner. The attention span of people is getting shorter each day. If I can comminicate my message in one minute, why should I take even a second longer?”
Sinha who had modelled for brands such as Maruti, Old Spice and Breeze made a short film called The Truimph in 2002 which was honoured at the Asian Children’s film festival. He is now working with Samir Seth on All Alone an Indo-French production to be shot in Mauritius, October 2003 onwards. The film which he claims will have a huge star cast is a love story set against the backdrop of the Mauritian independence struggle. Samir Seth who the owns the Janmabhoomi Publications has launched his production house Samir Seth Productions with War or Peace?. Teasingly called the ‘film encyclopedia’ since a young age this film-buff was actively involved in the making of the film.
War or Peace? was shot in three days with a month devoted to planning and pre-production. The film, released by Columbia Tri-Star is shown in theatres just before a full-length film’s screening and by VIP films in their chain of theatres in Mumbai. So far, 78 prints of the film have been released. Made in a budget of Rs. 10 lakh, the film will be screened at this year’s Cannes Lions in France.