‘Divide – Time to Breathe’: ‘The BFC Presents’ Q+A with Vijaykumar Mirchandani, Anthony Paulino, and Jorge Alvarez
Filmmakers often take on subject matter that is difficult to talk about and appears impossible to resolve. In the short film, ‘Divide – Time to Breathe’, the filmmakers shine a light in the center of conflicting and complicated issues, such as prejudice, human rights, racial strife, police brutality, and the consequences of misunderstanding each other. We talked with the producers and directors of this year's "Audience Favorite" short film, and we gained insight into their motivations in creating the film, their exploration of divisive issues, and their hopes for its message to teach and heal.
[Q] How did you become interested in filmmaking?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – Having grown amidst the Bollywood industry where my friend’s parents were producers, actors, directors etc., I was closely connected with the showbiz world. Coming from a middle-class family, education, and job security was the top priority, so as an honors student I became an engineer. But, deep inside, I knew someday my creative side would overshadow my analytical side and that I was born to offer more. By default, because of my childhood friends, I quit engineering and was branded as a disruptor when I forayed into the world of Television in the early 90’s. My first experience was breathtaking when I stepped inside an editing studio, and looking at those monitors, edit consoles, led lights and surround sound in that dimly lit room, it felt like I was in the cockpit of a spaceship travelling where no man had gone before. A mesmerizing moment that changed my life as I entered the magical world of storytelling, and after that, there was no turning back. Basically, I turned my hobby into my profession.
[Q] What messages do you hope to convey with the movie DIVIDE – TIME TO BREATHE?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – I delve into stories where humanity is put to the test, and as an immigrant having lived in the Middle East and Australia, I had witnessed my share of racial discrimination. Today, still having to live with that kind of discrimination is totally shocking, especially in the US where one believes “all are equal”. Times have changed, and we have evolved everywhere in accepting change and progressing, but when it comes to this, we are still backward. We know there will always be obstacles in the way of change and equality. But we as people need to come together to overcome such obstacles, no matter the color of our skin. The message of the film was to keep it simple as an everyday, common family story which could be happening in your backyard. It’s a reality check – so the Divide in America and the world can finally come to an end.
[A] Anthony Paulino (Director) – I wanted to portray how DIVIDED we are as a nation, as a society, and as a people by using one of the most divisive topics of the last decade: Police brutality. My desire wasn’t for the audience to necessarily agree or accept my message, but to come to a general understanding of where the other side was coming from.
[A] Jorge Alvarez (Executive Producer) – That our country and the world isn't just black and white, it’s full of gray. Every issue that’s plaguing us as a society isn’t an easy fix. We need to come together as people and listen to each other and see how we could evolve. In the film, we didn’t want to preach to the audience, so we laid out both sides and wanted the audience to come to a conclusion. Starting the conversation is the first step in fixing the problem.
[Q] Would you describe your vision and passion for making films?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – My motto is “Be the Change - believe in making a difference!”
There are over 7 billion stories in this world, and each one of us has a story to tell. There are amazing people out there doing phenomenal work either by themselves or with some help. We might be aware of some, but many times, those stories fall between the cracks. It is much easier to donate money to charity and support, but bringing out those amazing stories to the world can be quite challenging. Spiritual at heart and as a creative storyteller, I am passionate about supporting humanitarian and social issues that need a voice. I feel the least I can do is use my craft to share those compelling stories with the world and forge strong emotional connections within the people and create awareness. My films have been inspired by true events - Black Lives Matter, Autism, Homelessness, Women Empowerment, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse and Marital rape, Bigotry on Asian Americans during the pandemic, LGBTQ+, depression, mental health, veterans with PTSD, and cancer survivor with disability. I am always in pursuit of finding new stories and eager to meet those changemakers who have a story. I am currently working to create a platform called “MAD House” which means Making A Difference House that would assist anyone in realizing their story into a film to create awareness for the better good.
[Q] What are your goals as a filmmaker?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – I specialize in social films, and my goal is to create awareness on things we take for granted, subjects that need a discussion, issues that need a voice. We are privileged and so caught up in our myopic materialistic world that we forget there is a world beyond that. A little attention and participation could make a difference. The takeaway I want from my films is for people to have conversations and discussions. This is my first step in getting their attention on the issues, and the rest will follow organically. Today, everyone wants to help and talk about inclusion but does not know where and how to start. I hope my films can be the starting point to ignite that spark. This will complete my circle of believing that I was born to do more and be a changemaker in my own special way.
[A] Anthony Paulino (Director) - My goal is to create films that inspire the next generation of filmmakers. Films with creativity, passion, and purpose. I want to leave behind work that will live on long after I’m dead.
[A] Jorge Alvarez (Executive Producer) - To continue telling stories that affect audiences with powerful messages and beautiful visuals — also highlighting groups of people who usually are overlooked in the film industry.
[Q] Can you share your thoughts on the challenges you and others may have faced as filmmakers during the pandemic?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – I made a Pandemic film right smack on the first day of the lockdown in Times Square and then made “Divide-Time to Breathe” in Aug 2020. So many new elements sprung up that no one had ever imagined. It tied your hands, making the entire process extremely challenging like limiting to a crew of 6 people, auditions, table read, and rehearsals were done on zoom a completely unheard concept, cast and crew were scared to work, renting of studios and equipment were risky due to high contact, shooting indoors while maintaining social distance, life became hell for makeup artists, lodging became expensive, there were no restaurants open with only a few takeouts. Leave alone the general safety of one another, which was a top priority, extra budgets had to be created for PPE, disinfecting and COVID testing. There was a paradigm shift on the concept of filmmaking, as it became highly expensive to do any kind of production. But new methods and solutions had to be adopted. The entire industry came together and made it happen, only to prove that as a human race we are survivors.
[A] Anthony Paulino (Director) – Making a film is already one of the hardest things to accomplish; adding COVID to that process just makes every aspect 10x more difficult. We must be hyper-vigilant of the health conditions and practices of everyone on set. We’re literally in charge of policing both the cast and crew on their distancing, disinfecting, and mask etiquette. As a filmmaker, you want to put 100% focus on the film and not on other external concerns like a virus, perse.
[A] Jorge Alvarez (Executive Producer) – Well, making films is always a challenge. It doesn't matter how big or small the production is. Now adding COVID to that process makes it more stressful and concerning. As a producer, you want to make sure your sets and crew members are safe and healthy. So, everyone had to take a COVID test before filming as well as daily temperature checks. Also wearing masks for the whole eight plus hour days. It made our shoots more difficult by miles, but safety is always my biggest concern.
[Q] How does being a resident of Ft. Lee, NJ (the birthplace of the film industry in America), impact your messaging as a filmmaker and the legacy you wish to create?
[A] Vijaykumar Mirchandani (Producer) – Like most other people, even I am an immigrant, but till recent years after I moved to Fort Lee, I became aware of its pristine significance in being the birthplace of the film industry in America. I am extremely proud to be a resident of such historical importance and stand tall with pride whenever I tell people where I live and also educate them about the history. However, I am sure like me, not only the world but local Fort Lee residents are still unaware, and think of Hollywood as the birthplace.
Following my motto of “being the change and making a difference”, I believe more awareness and education needs to be instilled within the community, schools, and film students. I hope to share my films and hold Q&A sessions to inspire this new breed of next-gen filmmakers. Remind them that “money will come and go, but their contribution to society will leave a mark forever. As storytellers, they just need to look around, and there is a story waiting to be told. Look at the larger picture and continue the legacy of Fort Lee, laying the foundation for any dreamer who wants to tell a story.
