Filmmaker Madhusree Dutta’s “Flying Tigers” Unearths WWII History and Modern Border Realities
Table of Contents
A filmmaker’s journey sparked by a mother’s fading memories has blossomed into a sweeping documentary essay exploring the untold stories of World War II and the complex realities of life near modern borders. Madhusree Dutta’s flying Tigers, returning her to filmmaking after two decades, intricately weaves together past accounts, personal narratives, and innovative cinematic techniques.
A Mother’s Memory, A Historical Revelation
The impetus for Dutta’s project stemmed from her mother’s recollections of “tigers invading houses.” This seemingly fantastical image led Dutta to Assam, India, where she uncovered the remarkable history of the “Flying Tigers”-US aircraft that transported goods over the “Hump” – the eastern Himalayas – during World War II. This logistical operation, crucial to the Allied war effort, involved a largely forgotten network of indigenous communities and laborers.
“Small Stories in the Shadow of the Big Story”
Dutta’s film operates under the principle of telling “small stories in the shadow of the big story,” offering an intimate outlook on a global event.
Contrasting Flows: Goods vs. People
Dutta collaborates with Mi You, a Kunming-born media theorist, and Purav Goswami, an Assam-based researcher, to draw compelling parallels between the past and present. The film contrasts the ease with which goods now circulate globally with the increasing restrictions placed on human freedom of movement. This juxtaposition highlights the shifting dynamics of borders and the evolving nature of connectivity.
A Fluid Reality at the Border
The documentary portrays the always-changing reality of life for communities living near borders, challenging the notion of homogenous political landscapes. Dutta emphasizes that the reality is far more nuanced and fluid than traditional political cartography suggests.This understanding informs the film’s very structure.
A Hybrid Cinematic Form
Rejecting conventional documentary formats, Dutta employs a heterogeneous form that blends interviews, archive material, game scenes, animation, and musical interludes. This innovative approach reflects the multifaceted nature of the story and creates a deeply personal work that is both intimate and expansive in scope. The film’s creative team includes Rijud Das, isabelle Casez, and Guligo Jia Yanan as cinematographers, federico Neri as editor, Bo Wiget composing the music, and Bobby John handling sound design. Animation is by I have Sabnani.
Dutta’s Extensive Background
Madhusree Dutta is a filmmaker, author, and cultural producer based in both India and Germany. Her work frequently explores themes of hybridity in public and urban culture and innovative documentary and archival practices. She previously founded and directed Majlis, a center for interdisciplinary art initiatives in Mumbai (1998-2016), and served as artistic director of the Academy of World Arts in Cologne (2018-2021).
A Filmography of Exploration
Flying Tigers represents a return to filmmaking for Dutta after a twenty-year hiatus, building upon a rich body of work that includes: I Live in Behrampada (1993), Memories of Fear (1995), Sundari: An actor Prepares (1997, short film), Scribbles on Akka (2000), Made in India (2002), From Here to Here (2005, co-directed with Philip Scheffner), Seven Islands and a Metro (2006), and Cinema City Shorts (2009, episodic film). The film is a production of pong film (Berlin,Germany),with Alexandra Gerbaulet,merle Kröger,and Tarshia Dutta serving as producers,and Meike Martens as executive producer. The film features Dutta herself, alongside Mi You, Purav Goswami, and Devika Hazarika.
