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We were delighted to hold a special pupil premiere of vibrant new musical Christmas Karma at the Into Film Festival this week, with director Gurinder Chadha, actor Kunal Nayyar, and several of the young cast joining us to celebrate the film's release.
From visionary British director Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham) Christmas Karma is a Bollywood-inspired reimagining of Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol, which is here transformed into a joyous, colourful, feel-good Christmas musical that celebrates modern-day London and all of its communities and cultures. As well as providing a great way to engage with Dickens and A Christmas Carol, which is included on the WJEC, AQA, OCR, and Edexcel specifications for GCSE English literature - and we have several films adapting or about A Christmas Carol available to stream with Into Film+ - the film also promotes a strong message to be kind, choose love, and celebrate the present.
Christmas Karma also features an eclectic soundtrack influenced by gospel, bhangra, carols, rap and classic pop songs. Told from Chadha's unique point of view as a British director of Indian heritage, and in her own distinctive style, the film resonates with Dickens' timeless statement on the human condition, exploring themes of prejudice, acceptance, reconciliation, identity and belonging.
After a screening of the film, a Q&A took place with director Gurinder Chadha, the film's lead actor Kunal Nayyar, and several young stars of the film, including Skanda Arun, who plays a younger version of Mr Sood (the film's Scrooge character).
"I wanted to make a Christmas film that made me feel like my favourite film makes me feel: It's a Wonderful Life.", explained Chadha to our young audience. "I also wanted to update Charles Dickens, because what he was saying in 1843 I felt was really relevant to today."
It's important to acknowledge all aspects of what makes us who we are. When you go out and make a film, all you budding young filmmakers, it's important that you make a stand about who you are, what you are, and what you want to say to the world.
Gurinder Chadha, Director
Asked by one young person 'What would Dickens say if he saw the film today?', Chadha expanded on the film's modern day relevance.
"I had to tell the story from my perspective", said Chadha, "and if you know the book - and everyone studies it now at GCSE, right? - then the script is very close to the book. The line in the film when the ghost of Christmas Present asks "Is One CEO worth a 1000 Tim Cratchits?" feels very relevant today in terms of the corporate structures that we live in, with all the tech billionaires who now control everything, and kids who can't get health care, so I'd like to think Dickens would say "Oh yeah".
Chadha also spoke about her own unique perspective as a woman raised in Britain, but having Indian heritage - a background shared by so many other people in Britain.
"A really important thing is that everyone at the moment is asking what it means to be English, or what is English culture? I understand that. I grew up in London and I am formed by watching beautiful British movies and Ealing Comedies; listening to Cilla Black and The Beatles. People forget that English culture is really important to people like me, just as much as my Indian side. So this film is definitely bringing in those values that I've grown up with and celebrating them.
That's why I've used so many Christmas carols in the film, and why I did a scene with a gospel choir, and another in a church, because I go to both church and the Sikh temple.
I think in this day and age, it's important to acknowledge all aspects of what makes us who we are. When you go out and make a film, all you budding young filmmakers, it's important that you make a stand about who you are, what you are, and what you want to say to the world."
Another audience member asked what Chadha's favourite moment was while filming, to which she replied: "When I said 'It's a wrap' at the end! Making films is not easy, it's tough work, but what gets you through is that you're telling a story that you really want to tell. And because this is an independent British film, we didn't have the luxury of all the time that studio movies have".
"She has an incredible energy on set", added Nayyar. "She is the most passionate person."
The Into Film Festival continues across the UK until Friday 28 November, with thousands more free film screenings, special events, previews, and interactive Q&A sessions with screen industry professionals taking place, making the Festival the perfect opportunity to support young people in enjoying the big screen experience and exploring the world of film. And thanks to our partners at Fruit Bowl, a travel bursary is helping even more young people enjoy the big screen experience.
The Into Film Festival is possible thanks to the support of Cinema First and multiple partners across the cinema sector.
