Conversation with Arun A.K.
#Scurf202: On writing film criticism for Indian and global publications
After a break of two weeks, here I have a chat with Arun AK, film critic based in Mumbai. You can read earlier Conversations here.
Can you talk to me a bit about how you came around to writing for foreign publications?
Like you, I’ve been lucky to follow the writing of so many great writers on Twitter. I would check out their profiles and come to know about the various international publications they wrote for. Subsequently, I started pitching to these publications, and that’s how the journey began.
When you watch a movie or read a novel, how do you decide that you want to review it?
If it intellectually/emotionally/creatively stimulates me and triggers quite a few thoughts in me, then I feel like writing about it.
What is your preferred style of criticism — the one that tells you if something is good or bad, or the one that tells you the ways in which something is good or bad?
The ways in which something is good or bad. God and the devil lie in the details!
Who are your favourite film and book critics?
Film critics: Jonathan Rosenbaum and Srikanth Srinivasan
Book critics: I don’t follow book critics much.
Do you think humour has a place in criticism?
It completely depends on the subject/theme of a book/film. I don’t think one can insert humour into a piece on a film like A Short Film About Killing
Do you have a writing ritual or practice? Some people wake up early to write, Rushdie used to work later after work at night.
I’m a morning person. I wake up early around 6:30/7 am. I prefer writing then or during the day if I can squeeze out time. I’m definitely not a night writer. I go to bed by 10 pm like a good boy.
You’ve worked for both — Indian and foreign publications. I’m sure both have their advantages, but can you tell me what are the top drawbacks of both?
Indian: Most publications are good at accepting even mediocre writing. The editors don’t even bother to go into the details. And getting paid on time is a distant dream for most freelancers.
Foreign: The advantage of being thorough with their edits can sometimes become a disadvantage as many times the submitted draft goes through a complete overhaul, thereby losing the original flavour.
Which publications, newsletters, writers do you read regularly?
I like reading NYRB, The Paris Review, New Yorker, Guardian, MUBI, Film Comment, ArtReview, BOMB
Of all the essays and reviews you’ve published, can you share your favourite couple of pieces? And what’s make them so?
https://vaguevisages.com/2021/05/28/the-metaphorical-and-elusive-camera-of-the-disciple/
https://vaguevisages.com/2021/07/27/the-endless-yearning-in-mani-kauls-ashad-ka-ek-din/
https://hyperallergic.com/748815/the-wisdom-and-wonder-of-indias-leading-art-historian/
It’s difficult to choose favourites. These are the few that come to mind. I just feel very enriched when I read these pieces.
Out of all the editors you’ve worked with, who has been your favourite and why?
Maxwell Paparella – He was the editor of Screenslate and is now the Asst. Editor of MUBI
Daniel Kasman – The Editor in Chief of MUBI
Both are very incisive with their edits, language, and are thorough professionals.
What books currently sit at your bedside table?
The Big Book of Indian Art by Bina Sarkar Elias
Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer
If you were to host a dinner party with some writers and film directors, who would you invite?
Too many to narrow down.
What era of films do you love the most?
I think the 60s and 70s.
As we come to the end of this conversation, I’d love for you to answer some of these:
A movie you saw recently and loved – Aattam was the last film I really liked
A book you read recently and would recommend – The Greatest Kashmiri Stories from Aleph
A writer, artist, really, any creative person whose work you admire and try to emulate – I love the art of Masood Hussain (an eminent artist from Kashmir)
A place you traveled to but couldn’t write about, and would recommend (and why) – I usually don’t write about my travelogues. Maybe I should!