‘Stories That Travel’: Exploring the Universal Power of Storytelling at IFFI 2024

Panaji: A thought-provoking panel discussion titled ‘Stories That Travel’ captivated audiences at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) today. Held at Kala Academy in Panaji, the session brought together renowned filmmakers, actors, and producers to explore how storytelling transcends borders, languages, and cultures.

Moderated by acclaimed Indian filmmaker and producer Bobby Bedi, the panel featured Indian-born British Parsi writer Farrukh Dhondy, Spanish producer Anna Saura, actor and producer Vani Tripathi Tikoo, celebrated actor Tannistha Chatterjee, and English documentary filmmaker Lucy Walker.

The Universality of Storytelling

Opening the session, Bobby Bedi highlighted the global appeal of Indian cinema while pointing out its limited outreach beyond the diaspora. “Indian filmmakers often don’t consider an international audience, which can hinder global connections,” he remarked.

Lucy Walker, whose recent documentary Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa has earned accolades, emphasized storytelling’s emotional core. “One should make films about people and creatures they care about,” she said, adding that her global travels inform her work, not as a tourist but as a documentarian exploring local lives.

Vani Tripathi Tikoo brought in a cultural perspective, invoking the Indian philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family). “India has always been a land of storytellers, and stories that travel have universality and cultural connections,” she said.

Local Roots, Global Appeal

Farrukh Dhondy traced the history of storytelling, highlighting how mythologies and cultural narratives shape human ethics. “Every tribe and culture has its own stories. Some resonate globally, while others remain local,” he noted. Using Raj Kapoor’s films as an example, he explained their immense popularity in the Soviet Union, contrasting this with Satyajit Ray’s stories, which connected with audiences in Europe and the US.

Anna Saura, daughter of celebrated Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura, stressed that the internet era has made global audiences more accessible. “Stories that belong to us as humans resonate worldwide,” she said, emphasizing the role of film festivals and OTT platforms in expanding the reach of diverse content, including documentaries and short films.

Tannistha Chatterjee added a performer’s perspective, discussing the cultural nuances of storytelling. “Indian cinema is loud and celebratory, reflecting its culture, whereas western films often express emotions more subtly,” she observed. She urged filmmakers to focus on local themes, saying, “Universal emotions always travel when the story is rooted in a local context.”

The Global Success of Local Narratives

The panelists also examined examples of globally successful stories rooted in local contexts. Bobby Bedi cited Avatar, inspired by Indian themes, as a global phenomenon. Dhondy pointed to the universal appeal of superhero films, while Walker noted that superheroes themselves are local figures who rise to global challenges.

Concluding the discussion, the panel agreed that while cultural nuances vary, the emotional core of storytelling remains universal. Local stories with universal emotional appeal, they asserted, are the key to transcending borders and connecting with audiences worldwide.

As IFFI 2024 celebrates the art of storytelling, ‘Stories That Travel’ reaffirmed the power of cinema as a bridge across cultures, inspiring filmmakers to craft narratives that resonate universally while staying true to their roots.