Filmmaker Ben Rekhi tells Ayushi Sharma that his latest film — The Reunited States — follows four everyday heroes on the difficult journey of bridging political and racial divides in the US
After working with the Coen Brothers on O Brother, Where Art Thou? Filmmaker Ben Rekhi was hired by George Clooney to shoot the behind-the-scenes of Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind. Rekhi’s debut feature film — Waterborne, a SXSW Audience Award Winner, was about a fictional biological attack on LA’s water supply. His follow-up, The Ashram, starred Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo and Kal Penn. He then shifted gears and co-directed a documentary series for PBS called The Hidden Vote, which profiled minorities who support Donald Trump. His third film — Watchlist, set against the drug wars in the Philippines, was co-financed by Bron Studios (Joker) and executive produced by XYZ Films (The Raid). Produced by Van Jones and Meghan McCain, he recently released his latest — The Reunited States. The film, awaited in India for a digital release, is inspired by the book of the same name by Mark Gerzon.
It’s a deeply moving portrait of the unsung heroes who have dedicated their lives to depolarisation and are providing solutions for the rest of us to do the same. It urges us to consider that we are all either part of the problem or a part of the solution of our divisions. At a time when America is ripping apart at the seams, The Reunited States follows four everyday heroes on the difficult journey of bridging political and racial divides in the US. Susan Bro, who’s daughter was killed when a car drove through a crowd of counter-protestors in Charlottesville, dedicates her life to the issues of social justice that her daughter died for. Independent politician, Greg Orman, believes the way to break our gridlock is to run as an independent party politician to break the hold of the two-party system. Steven Olikara, the son of Indian immigrants from Kerala, founded the Millennial Action Project which works tirelessly to build a coalition of bi-partisan lawmakers to transform the American government. David Leaverton used to work in Republican politics as an operative fomenting division to win campaigns. Now, he and his wife Erin set off on a journey across all 50 States in an RV to find out what is causing our divisions and how to heal from them. We talk to Rekhi to find out more. Excerpts:
The documentary sheds light upon a very significant theme: Political polarisation. Why do you think it is a threat to Americans? Does your film reflect upon this?
Yes, polarisation is absolutely a threat because it leads to dehumanisation of the other side. It’s one thing to have political disagreement but it’s entirely another thing to think that the people you disagree with are trying to destroy the country. That gives a much more dangerous framing for these issues, which is that they need to be destroyed. I wouldn’t be surprised if that continues then we started to turn things around. Even then, at a more basic level, polarisation prevents anything from getting done. There is policy gridlock that happens and prevents either side from one end to have any kind of progress. So we end up in a place where there are a lot of dangers that come with polarisation.
The film has received such positive reviews in the USA. Do you think it’s because of the fact that it has come after the widespread Black Lives Matter movement?
I think the film is definitely inspiring the audience to realise that there is another way, and Black Lives Matter movement is doing the same thing — raising awareness about inequalities that exist in the country since the beginning. One of the biggest reasons to make this film was that beneath the political divisions are a lot of other divisions, especially racial general and social-economic divides. So when we say bridging the divide, it’s not just politics. There are a lot of other differences we have as people that we need to wake up to.
Do you think The Reunited States as a title is ironic to what the film tries to depict?
The title is definitely catchy and provocative. The title also brought me to the book because it was something I came up with even before I found the book. Later, I googled and found the book. So there was an universe conspiring for the title as well. I would say it could be slightly controversial that there are a lot of communities that don’t feel this ‘Reunited States’ is ever united to begin with, particularly African Americans that have felt not included in the American dreams since the beginning. But, at the same time, they go with the title as to get people’s attention and it’s doing exactly that.
The story has a huge interconnectedness between the current American political scene, the prevailing racial divide as well as how lawmakers and activists around the States are trying to bring about a change. How did you loop such diverse examples in one film?
It was really important to show multiple people and how they are bridging the divide. This film is less about the government and our politicians than it is about people and what we can do as a public to heal our divides. We always wanted to make sure that we had many storylines to express the idea; that there are multiple solutions to these problems. There’s not just one way of doing it and so it was really important from the beginning. Even when I was approaching Susan Bro to be one of the main characters in the film, she was adamant there asking, “Are you covering other people too” and “I don’t want this to be about me and my grief only.” “I’ll only do it if you are showing other storylines as well.” So the anthology idea was there from the beginning.
How is it relevant for the Indian audience?
India is the world’s largest democracy and America is the world’s oldest, so we have that in common. We are both massively diverse countries with different religions, languages, populations co-existing. We largely been divided into two major political camps and pitted against each other for the political game. So I think we have a lot to learn from each other. We have been two of the strongest allies in the world and we face similar threats, so India’s success is America’s success and vice-a-versa. We hope the theme in this film will feel as relevant to the Indian audience as they are to the American audience.
From Waterborne, Watchlist to The Ashram, and The Reunited States, every film has a completely different backdrop. What makes you decide to take up a particular topic?
It really comes down to the story. I am most excited about telling stories that speak to the human conditions and challenge our preconceptions of where we are, how we got here. I never wanted to be pigeonholed in one type of film. I am most excited about exploring different genres, so for me, ultimately, what stands is story and characters.
Do you see the world moving towards more radical positions and getting increasingly polarised?
Absolutely. If you look at the past, four-five years and even beyond that to the past 20-30 years we have increasingly moved more firmly into our corners and are viewing anyone who thinks differently as a threat. I think if we look at tomorrow’s long-term history, recent history includes that we don’t want to make mistakes like the past. World War II is fought over this rise of authoritarianism and fascism and that was a very recent memory that this generation is aging and the wisdom they have experienced from those times is really important to be passed on to the younger generations. We don’t commit the same sins as the generations that have passed. So for me, while I do see serious trends often heading in the wrong direction, I also feel optimistic that through times of great challenge and adversity comes hope and opportunity, and we are already seeing that. This difficult time brings out the worst in people but also brings out the best. I am confident that even though maybe two-steps forward and one-step back that we’re ultimately going to still head towards the right direction.
As a director, do you see entertainment as your primary objective or creating an informed audience? Why?
I think the film has to be entertaining first thing, foremost. If it’s not entertaining, no one would watch it. It should never feel like a lecture or too academic. So for me, I love the idea of shedding light on the human condition, challenging the way we see ourselves and see the world around us. It’s a very powerful tool as cinema gives you a front row seat to someone else’s life, allowing them to walk into their shoes. Very few art forms have that power of combining theatre, photography, music, literature performance all into one experience. I do think there is a way of entertaining simultaneously inspiring the audience. And those stories are the most exciting to me.
Does being an Indian American give you a unique perspective where you can reach out to a wider audience?
I think being an Indo-American has definitely helped me, especially in this film but in reconciling different viewpoints. I grew up going to a Gurudwara one weekend and to a Church the next weekend. So from an early age, holding to these two different viewpoints and bridging the divide was something I grew up with. As far as entertainment goes, I do feel like a global citizen. I’ve worked in India, worked in the US, so telling stories that can speak to humans, wherever you are, is something that is really exciting for me.
Many of your films are journalistic in nature...
I have a deep respect for a journalist. I think that it is an incredibly important role in society — to follow stories and bring them to the forefront of the world. Often, that’s how change happens when you become aware of what’s going on in the world. A lot of times, journalists are taking great risks to bring these stories forth. As a filmmaker, I have a slightly different role there; I am trying to tell a story that is entertaining but also hopefully informative. So I have worked with a journalist in several different capacities. In the Philippines, I worked with journalists for a few weeks and did write along to research just to understand the world that I am expressing.
What is the greatest source of your inspiration? What is it that keeps you going?
I have come to the round of edge that stories come to us from places we can’t explain and there is a passion about a certain topic or through the spark of an idea that is unexplainable. But there is a responsibility, as an artist, to pursue it because we are simply vessels that bring these ideas into the world. And a lot of times, the mistakes that I used to make earlier in my career while making decisions were based on what I thought the market wanted v/s what I really wanted to say.
What is the biggest thing that you stand for and support as a filmmaker?
There are a lot of things that I stand for. I think there is a room for everything. There is room for big entertainment, a room for a romantic comedy, a room for action and a room for drama. The challenge is reaching the audience. So for me, the most exciting cinema is the one that enabled me to push the envelope or what cinema could do whether it was genre format or dramatic format. I am always excited to see films that are trying something that’s never been done before. They make you think different thoughts to feel different feelings and that’s what I aspire for.
What are your forthcoming projects?
There are a couple of them. There’s one that I am pursuing in the US — a fictional film set in the world of mass shootings. There is a project I am exploring in India that could bring me there as soon as later this year. We also looked at TV series to expand on the idea of The Reunited States.
