Watch James Ivory and Madhur Jaffrey discuss SHAKESPEARE WALLAH

In the movie James Ivory and Madhur Jaffrey discuss SHAKESPEARE WALLAH, two legends in the film industry come together to talk about a classic film that has stood the test of time. SHAKESPEARE WALLAH is a 1965 film directed by James Ivory and produced by Ismail Merchant, which tells the story of a group of traveling Shakespearean actors who perform in various cities in India, where the British Raj still holds sway.

Madhur Jaffrey, who is a veteran actor and has appeared in many films over the years, including SHAKESPEARE WALLAH, starts off the discussion by talking about her initial reactions to the film. She says that while she loved the film, she found it difficult to watch as it brought back a lot of memories from her youth. Jaffrey grew up in colonial India, and the film transported her back in time to that period.

James Ivory then chimes in, saying that he too had a personal connection to the film. He mentions that the idea for the film came from his experience working with Jaffrey and her family, who were part of a traveling Shakespearean troupe that he had met in India in the 1950s. Ivory says that he was fascinated by the idea of Shakespearean actors performing in rural India, and this is what led to the creation of SHAKESPEARE WALLAH.

The two then discuss the various themes and motifs that the film explores. One of the recurring themes in SHAKESPEARE WALLAH is the clash between tradition and modernity. The Shakespearean actors, who are British, are seen as representing tradition, while the Indian characters in the film, who are modern and westernized, are seen as representing modernity. This clash is seen throughout the film, as the two groups struggle to come to terms with each other's ways of life.

Another theme that the film explores is the idea of cultural appropriation. The Shakespearean actors in the film are seen as appropriating Indian culture by performing Shakespeare's plays in India. This raises questions about the ethics of cultural appropriation, and whether it is appropriate for outsiders to adopt and perform the cultural traditions of other cultures.

The two also discuss the acting in the film, with Jaffrey praising her co-stars and the performances they gave. She mentions that the film was shot on a shoestring budget and that the actors had to improvise a lot of their scenes, which made their performances even more impressive.

Finally, the two discuss the impact that SHAKESPEARE WALLAH has had over the years. They mention that the film was groundbreaking in its portrayal of India and its culture, and that it paved the way for other Indian filmmakers to tell their own stories on the international stage. They also mention that the film is still relevant today, as it explores themes that are still relevant in today's world.

Overall, James Ivory and Madhur Jaffrey's discussion of SHAKESPEARE WALLAH is a fascinating look into the making of one of the most beloved films of all time. Their insights into the film's themes, motifs, and performances are insightful, and their personal connections to the film make the discussion even more engaging. SHAKESPEARE WALLAH is a film that everyone should watch, and Ivory and Jaffrey's discussion is a great place to start.

James Ivory and Madhur Jaffrey discuss SHAKESPEARE WALLAH is a 2018 non-fiction movie with a runtime of 47 minutes.