When it is a Lijo Jose Pellissery movie, you know there is something interesting or unconventional out there. Well, he doesn’t disappoint us this time too.
The highlight of Lijo’s next Angamaly Diaries is the 11-minute-long climax sequence taken in a single shot. The director, who attempted a similar technique in Amen, says that it was not pre-planned.
“While shooting the climax, things were very favourable. So, we attempted it although we weren’t sure of the outcome. I should thank the local people for their cooperation. It was a crowd scene with over a thousand people and if one person looked into the camera it could have spoiled it,” says the director.
According to Lijo they got the sequence right on the second day of the shoot. “We didn’t do rehearsals, and even at the first attempt we were seriously shooting. Sometimes, we could do it till nine minutes, but then it would go haywire. However, on the second day things fell in place and we got this wonderful sequence,” says Lijo.
But, he doesn’t think he can repeat it again. “It is not an easy thing. It is a very complex scene that had to be meticulously planned,” says Lijo. “There was a lot of effort on everybody’s part. But, above all, luck was favourable when we did the shoot.”
The movie has many single shots ranging from two to four minutes. Angamaly Diaries, which has been scripted by actor Chemban Jose, will hit the theatres on Friday. The movie has garned attention after the director revealed that there are 85 newcomers.
The protagonist is Anthony Varghese, while Girish Gangadharan has handled the cinematography and Shameer Muhammed is the editor. Prashanth Pillai has composed the music.
Angamaly Diaries is produced by Vijay Babu under the banner of Friday Film House.