Lucknow: Lucknow Bioscope hosted a unique cultural event as part of its latest Filmistaan edition on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at JC Bose Road in Qaiser Bagh. The evening centered on the cinematic works of Amber Gupta, an international performance artist and filmmaker whose work bridges the gap between live artistic mediums and digital storytelling. The screening featured two distinct projects titled Pax Ankoku and YOU, both of which delve into the complexities of human psychology and the collective social fabric.
Exploring Inner Landscapes through Pax Ankoku
The primary screening featured Pax Ankoku, a title derived from a Japanese term meaning Peace Through Darkness. Director Amber Gupta explained that the film serves as an exploration of inner disorder, positing that outward manifestations such as violence, capitalism, and fear are rooted in unresolved internal disturbances. The production emerged from an intensive 40-day workshop based on the Butoh method, a Japanese discipline of self-expression created in the late 1950s following the devastation of World War II. Through various character sketches, the film captures the spontaneity of performance art, treating each act as a unique moment rooted in the present that can never be repeated.
Confronting Identity in the Performative Documentary YOU
The second film presented, YOU, is a performative art documentary that captures raw public interactions. The film was created using footage from Gupta’s live interactive performance titled Who Are You?, where participants were directly confronted with questions regarding their self-perception. The documentary reveals how individuals often struggle with their identity when stripped of professional or religious labels, highlighting the discomfort that surrounds self-perception in a society driven by external categories. Gupta emphasized that societal progress is only possible when communities work together to address these deeper inner disorders.
Philosophical Discussion and Directorial Background
The event concluded with an engaging dialogue between the audience and Amber Gupta regarding his transition from performance art to filmmaking. As a practitioner of Butoh and yoga who trained under Japanese master Rhizome Lee, Gupta has showcased his multidisciplinary work on international platforms including Rebel Live Action in Thailand. With the release of Pax Ankoku, he makes his debut as a film director, further expanding his practice of using the body and lens to explore the internal battles that individuals endure.
