Filmmaker Vandana Kohli’s documentary film The Subtext of Anger was recently screened at the WWF Auditorium in the capital. The film, as the title suggests, explores emotion, root causes, stress and the subject of anger. Vandana opens up about the film and her reason for exploring anger as a subject.
Sharing what inspired her to make a documentary, she says, “Anger is an emotion that, in excess, can completely consume all that is creative within us. I keep a journal and I’ve been able to observe patterns and cycles of my mind, and anger was one of them. Though we’re hardwired with the fight-or-flight response every time we perceive a threat, which is how anger comes into play, it can become a chronic emotion that is wasteful and self-destructive. To better understand the emotion, its expression (which differs from person to person), what lies behind anger, and how we can break the cycle and grip of anger, I began work on the documentary.”
Vandana agrees that anger is an urban reality and has not been given due importance. She says, “It seems to me that anger is the dominant emotion of our times. While it has always existed, I think our times are unique by way of the pace that technology is setting for us. There is a neurological link between stress and anger, which the film explores, and our times are extremely stressful in its potent combination of pressure and speed. I think we may not be aware of how all of this and our current aspirations are increasingly leading us to anger. In our quest for growth, we have set systems that demand us to be cold and efficient. There seems to be little space for warmth, gentleness and consideration in our functioning. These are not qualities that our economic systems seek to foster in us. I view anger wearily today. It has its place; many great things we’re told have had their spark in anger. It drives us to oppose that which is unjust. But the key lies in how we channelise its energy. Anger expressed in its rawness can only create more anger. It can become a lateral wheel and one can become quite stuck in it. To wrench it off its power, one needs to stop the blame. Stop blaming others and yourself, and anger has nowhere to go and nothing to feed on.”
It was not an easy film to make, and Vandana shares she had her good and bad days. “The film was exciting, frustrating and rewarding through its making. A lot of research was done before we shot for it, mostly in the UK and in USA. The film features a wide spectrum of experts, renowned neuroscientists, psychologists and sociologists. There are also many personal voices from amongst us, many of them in shadow, sharing their experiences with anger. Once we had all this information, it was a real challenge putting it together. So to find a linear narrative from within these wheels was quite, quite difficult. I am glad it’s done!”
Vandana wants to take the documentary to the masses. “Screenings in schools with students, parents and teachers together would be helpful to bring the discussion on anger issues at home and school into focus.”
“Screenings across business schools and corporations would help put our systems into focus and address anger issues built into our work psyche. It’s a film meant for anyone for persons of all ages, 16 and above, housewives to executives, families to communities,” she adds.