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| Edited By: Yogesh Pawar |Source: DNA |Updated: Feb 05, 2014, 12:10 PM IST
An MIFF 2014 highlight is short film Checkmate Didi, produced by 17 Mumbai kids from 13 schools who conceptualised, directed, shot and edited a film on their own. Yogesh Pawar caught up with the man behind it all, Dutch entertainment entrepreneur Gerard Van Lennep for a chat. Excerpts:
Why is a leading Dutch production house like yours interested in India?
I’d say, why not? Around 330 million of the world population below 15 years is in India. If every fifth child is an Indian, doesn’t it make sense to explore this market than going to countries like say Finland and reach out to a really miniscule number? The Indian edutainment market is vastly unexplored and Lennep Media can tap that.
You said markets? Is that what this all about?
See ‘market’ isn’t such a bad word after all. No model can work without viability. After all there are toys, toothpastes and even special chewing gum, which are targeted at children. It’s not only these, a leading car manufacturer told me that he’s always thinking of making his cars attractive to the 14-year-old who helps his father decide which to buy. So you can marry good intent with good business sense.
The Linnep kids film festival showcased award-winning Dutch documentaries, live action and animation films in schools. What was the experience like?
It was fabulous. Even the really young ones can surprise you with a world view. They have so much going for them and could do anything they want. What I found lacking was the stimulus for such phenomenal young minds.
What do you mean?
There should be dedicated kids’ channels which go beyond translated Japanese/American cartoons. This, in a 5,000-year-old civilisation with a rich past with historical/mythological references... Why not school TV? In rural Darjeeling, I met a girl who walks three hours to reach school. Why will she feel like even picking up a book when home? Children like those need school on TV done interestingly for her age.
What is your take-away?
I’ve made my money and profits long back. What I want to do here is work with the privileged children for a fee and plough that money back into work with the under-privileged ones.
