Cogito Ergo Sum, 3 min 3 sec, 2010
The film speaks about a journey- a journey into the self. Using a three way projection, the phenomenology of the self is explored through an engagement with various nodes of self realization. In the stories of travel, strokes of vivid colour, benevolent temple idols, chime of the bells, peaceful meditation as well as the mundane ritual of self grooming, the self is enmeshed in each and every part of our daily existence.
Who are we then and how do we define ourselves? We are constantly thinking. This thought process of -one thought connecting with the other gives birth to a space called mind. The mind cannot exist without thoughts and the thoughts cannot exist without the Self. Hence, the whole process of understanding occurs because we analyze our self through our thought process which takes place in our mind that resides within ourselves. The phrase “I think therefore I am” originates from Descartes’ philosophy and finds its resonance in Advaita concept of reaching the Ultimate Self through basic Self-analysis.
Though partly autobiographical, the film raises pertinent questions of existentialism and the relation of the self with what the self does in an exploding universe.
Concept and Direction-Seema Kohli
Camera – Avdesh Singh
Editing – Kalpana Subramanian