For Antony Samson, a trip to Mongolia was not just about capturing scenic landscapes and dramatic frames for a new web series; it became an insightful intersection of his craft and the importance of human connection in an unfamiliar land. The adventure began when Antony, a native of Kerala and a skilled cinematographer, was offered an opportunity that both intrigued and challenged him – to shoot a 10-episode web series in Mongolia, a country until then synonymous to him with the legendary Genghis Khan.
The project, entitled “Pictures of Murder,” which has found its home on the Mongolian OTT platform VOO, is directed by Dorjsuren Shadav and marks a significant milestone for Antony. At the age of 29, Antony confronted a unique dilemma on the sets – he was the solitary English-speaking crew member amidst a team with limited English proficiency. This communication barrier compelled him to resort to hand gestures and visual aids to convey complex camera angles and lighting setups, transcending language through the universal language of imagery.
There were moments of self-doubt, when the lure to abandon the project and return to his homeland was strong. Nevertheless, Antony held on, driven by the understanding that regret would follow if he succumbed to the challenges. Encouraged by the infrequent flight schedule from Mongolia back to India, he chose to stay the course, aware that perseverance would enrich his professional tapestry.
Antony’s voyage into the Mongolian film industry started when his friend mentioned a producer named Mungunzul Amgalanbaatar, an actor versed in South Indian cinema, seeking a cinematographer with roots in the vibrant southern film milieu of India. Mungunzul’s familiarity with the region, owing in part to a visit to Alappuzha and interactions with director Anil Kumar, influenced her decision to extend the invitation beyond her own borders.
With the academic foundation of the LV Prasad Film Institute in Chennai under his belt and a diverse experience as an assistant director for films such as “Darwinte Parinamam” and “Bheeshma Parvam,” Antony embraced the opportunity in Mongolia as a testament to his readiness for a lead role behind the camera. “Pictures of Murder” thus became his inaugural project as an independent cinematographer.
Accompanied initially by an assistant from Chennai, Antony settled into Ulaanbaatar only to find himself truly alone when his colleague had to abruptly depart due to unforeseen personal circumstances. Technology, in the guise of Google Translate, proved less helpful than anticipated, particularly when it came down to translating technical jargon.
Beyond professional obstacles, Antony faced profound isolation – the lack of meaningful, face-to-face conversation confined him to introspective interactions, save for the occasional phone call home. While he eventually mustered a modest understanding of Mongolian, learning just enough to source “khar daavu,” or black cloth, for practical set purposes, verbal exchanges remained elusive, further highlighting the vast divide between his native tongue and the predominantly Russian linguistic landscape of Mongolia.
Antony’s Mongolian journey, nonetheless, carved in him an unshakeable resilience. He quips about the newfound confidence the experience has instilled in him, humorously claiming that even space exploration could now be on his horizon. His narrative is not just one of artistic and professional growth, but also an exploration of the intricate human connections that transcend cultures and languages.
As Antony Samson now sits in Bengaluru, an independent ad filmmaker engaging in talks for his next cinematographic venture, he reflects on the serendipitous path that took him from the familiarity of South India to the enigmatic plains of Mongolia. The tenacity and adaptability honed in the face of such an adventure will undoubtedly inform his future works, forever shaping the way he views not just his craft, but the world.
