German team captures Kolkata's evolution on film

A team of documentary filmmakers from Germany is all set to provide an insight into what has gone into the making of modern Kolkata.

Berlin-based photographer Malte Pietschmann and his team have been in Kolkata since last October, filming a documentary that would "take a closer look" at this bustling metropolis.

"After visiting almost all parts of India a number of times, I have the impression that Kolkata's presence in the global media landscape has been considerably underrated, when compared to Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore. I believe it is time to take a closer look at a city that used to be India's cultural hub," Pietschmann told IANS, adding that the film is tentatively titled "Bengali on the Move".

"What has happened to India's former cultural capital? What socio-cultural movements are taking place here nowadays, and how does it affect that status quo? This is what my film sets out to explore," said Pietschmann.

Aiming to capture on celluloid the evolution of the city, the film has been shot in a variety of locations in the city to portray its real essence.

"Local people have generously offered their support by showing us around and introducing us to the real Kolkata, which we are truly grateful for. We have tried to capture life in Kolkata from different angles," said the lensman, who refused to divulge the film's storyline, saying it was only in the early stages of production.