Ron Kahlon, a rising filmmaker from Punjab now settled in Australia, says he wasn’t too sure how receptive well-known Indigenous Australian actors Uncle Jack Charles and Laila Thaker would be to working on his movies. But their open-mindedness exceeded his imagination.
Having migrated to Australia in 2014 and studied accounting and business, Mr Kahlon eventually chose a very different career path: making movies.
“I always wanted to write and share stories, and to promote the rich Punjabi culture with the rest of the world through movies,” Mr Kahlon told SBS Punjabi.
Highlights:
- Ron Kahlon is a rising filmmaker from Punjab now settled in Australia.
- Mr Kahlon says he found an 'aura of positivity' while working with iconic Aboriginal artist Uncle Jack Charles on his film 'The Seashell'.
- He says Indian-Torres Strait Islander artist Laila Thaker took his film ‘The Untold’ to another level.
Initially, Mr Kahlon started with two music videos in Melbourne and then switched his focus to making short movies on burning social issues like domestic violence and climate change.
“While making movies, I always try to find and promote local talents of the land where I am living."
While searching for Australian talents for ‘The Seashell’, his 2020 short film touching on the topic of climate change, Mr Kahlon's paths crossed with the legendary actor Uncle Jack Charles, whose talent and dedication blew him away.
"So, I found Uncle Jack Charles, a well-known, multi-dimensional Aboriginal personality, who against my original perceptions was such an open-hearted, down-to-earth, welcoming and jolly personality to work with."
He said Uncle Charles was a perfect fit for the role, which required a deep connection with the Earth.
While planning for his second movie, ‘The Untold’ (2020), which is based on the concept of karma, Mr Kahlon forged a connection with Laila Thaker, a renowned artist of Indian and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
“Ms Thaker is a highly talented, hardworking and friendly artist who actually took my film to the next level.”
While working with Ms Thaker, Mr Kahlon said he felt like he has known her for a long time.
“I have no words to describe my pleasant working experience with both of these Indigenous artists,” Mr Kahlon said.
Listen to the audio by clicking on 'Speaker' in the photo above.
The Seashell Trailer from Ron Kahlon on Vimeo.
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