FLY BROTHER Radio #002: Filmmaker Faraz Arif Ansari

In this episode, Ernest enjoys a conversation with his friend Faraz Arif Ansari, a gifted writer and filmmaker from India who has worked with several acclaimed directors in film and television since beginning his career several years ago. His recent film, Sisak, is India’s first silent queer love story. Throughout the episode, Faraz dives deep into the process of producing Sisak and why he chose for it to be a silent film. Faraz speaks with Ernest about his difficulty with getting funding and finding a producer willing to produce a gay film in India. It’s reflective of the same struggle he’s had being openly gay in a country where it is still socially unacceptable and hate crimes are common. But none of these struggles dissuaded Faraz from making this film as a statement.

Sisak is a beautiful 20-minute film that has traveled to film festivals around the world, winning several jury and audience awards along the way. When not working behind the camera, Faraz conducts cinema and theater sessions for underprivileged children in Mumbai, training them to write screenplays and direct their own short films.

This episode covers filmmaking, identity, survival, purpose, love, travel, of course, and much more. So strap in for a riveting conversation covering a range of topics. Let’s fly!