Producer, director, and writer Santhosh Ram Mavuri’s love for cinema began in childhood, with fond memories of watching films like Khushi and Badri, and imitating Pawan Kalyan. The Harry Potter series further solidified his desire to pursue a career in film. His cinematic experiences broadened when he moved to Bangalore, where he gained access to a wide variety of films in different languages. This passion led him to study acting under Satyanand Garu and eventually brought him to Los Angeles, where he honed his filmmaking skills at the New York Film Academy.
In an exclusive chat, he talks about his short film Weave of Culture being screened at 15th Chicago South Asian Film Festival in September 2024 and more.
Watch trailer: Weave Of Culture
Excerpts
What inspired you to create Weave of Culture?
The concept for Weave of Culture began to take shape nearly a decade ago during a saree shopping and weaving trip to Kanchivaram with my sisters. My cousin’s curiosity about handloom techniques led to a conversation with local weavers, who expressed their concern about the declining interest among younger generations due to low earnings. This conversation left a lasting impact on me, particularly as I witnessed the growing value of handmade goods. Later, during my studies at the New York Film Academy in LA, I noticed Srikalahasti block prints being sold at Sherman Oaks Mall for much higher prices than in India, which highlighted the potential for entrepreneurial opportunities for weavers. This realization led me to develop this concept as my thesis project, and I traveled to India to shoot the film.
A still from the film, Weave Of Culture by Santhosh Ram Mavuri
What were some of the challenges you faced while filming in a remote village? How did you overcome them?
Filming in a remote village posed significant challenges, especially since I was based in LA during the pre-production phase. Finding the right locations was difficult; initially, I considered Dharmavaram, a well-known handloom city in Andhra Pradesh. However, upon arrival, my cinematographer and I discovered that the town had undergone extensive development, changing its aesthetic. We decided to explore smaller, handloom-centric villages like Siripuram and Chouttapal near Hyderabad. With the assistance of local weavers, we secured authentic locations in these villages, which added a surreal, authentic touch to the story. The local community’s kindness was invaluable, and I promised to showcase the completed short film in their village soon.
I hope Weave of Culture encourages viewers to purchase authentic handlooms and inspires weavers to become entrepreneurs, preserving this vital aspect of our culture.
What impact do you hope the film will have on preserving this art form and promoting it to future generations?
The film highlights the revival of extinct handloom weaves, a theme close to my heart. Over recent years, traditional weaves have faced extinction due to the impact of COVID-19 and the passing of experienced weavers. However, there is hope in the efforts of individuals like Dr Hemalatha Garu in Bangalore, who is reviving century-old weaves. I strongly believe in the importance of passing down these traditional art forms to future generations, especially in a world that increasingly values skill-based expertise. I envision handloom weavers becoming entrepreneurs, creating their own brands, and promoting their crafts to a global audience. Innovators like designer Rahshitonly in LA are redefining how handlooms are presented and appreciated, and I hope my film contributes to this movement.
Movie poster of Weave Of Culture
How do you see the role of filmmakers in raising awareness about traditional arts and cultures that are at risk of being lost?
Filmmaking, much like storytelling in ancient times, has always been a powerful tool for conveying important messages. Cinema, in particular, has the potential to inspire significant change. Films like Koratala Siva’s Srimanthudu and Bharat Ane Nenu have motivated audiences to adopt villages and engage in community farming. I hope Weave of Culture similarly encourages viewers to purchase authentic handlooms and inspires weavers to become entrepreneurs, preserving this vital aspect of our culture.
A behind the scenes still from the set to Weave Of Culture
How has the reception been so far at festivals, and what kind of feedback have you received?
Weave of Culture premiered at the 8th Indian World Film Festival in Hyderabad, where it won Best Film, and has since garnered numerous awards, including Best Film at the 14th Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival, Best International Short at the Panther City Film Festival, the Remi Award at WorldFest-Houston, and the Indie Soul Special Recognition Award at the Boston International Film Festival. The film has been well received across the globe, and I’m particularly excited for the upcoming screenings at the Chicago South Asian Film Festival and the Atlanta Indian Film Festival.
The crew of Weave Of Culture
What’s Next?
Currently, I’m working on a proof of concept called #4Chella, a story about four people primarily shot at the Coachella Music Festival. I’m also developing a feature-length version of Weave of Culture and working on a Hollywood Christmas romcom about an Indian girl and an African American guy. As I continue to grow as a filmmaker, I’m excited to see where these new projects will take me.
A still from the film
