Five Questions with Kevin Mukherji, director of WE ARE ONE
If you’ve seen the TV series “Shameless,” “Parenthood,” or “Arrested Development,” chances are you’ve seen Kevin Mukherji in action. Born in Calcutta, the actor and filmmaker moved to Chicago in 1972 at the tender age of 10, graduating from Von Steuben high school. After studying acting at The Second City and Victory Gardens and earning a Masters in filmmaking from Northern Illinois University, Mukherji moved to L.A. to further his acting career, working with such luminaries as Steven Spielberg, Albert Brooks, and Harold Ramis. Although Murherji has now called L.A. home for 17 years, he visits Chicago often and is thrilled to be back in his hometown to present the Chicago premiere of his new documentary, WE ARE ONE, which screens at the Film Center Friday, January 27 and Wednesday, February 1.
The doc takes a global look at humankind’s treatment of animals and features appearances by former president Jimmy Carter, animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi, Madeline Bernstein, president of the Los Angeles SPCA, and more. We caught up with Murherji on the eve of his visit to Chicago.
Lori Hile: You’re a Second City alum and an actor and filmmaker known in part for your comedic roles and shorts. The subject matter of this film — animal cruelty, human rights, the environment — is no laughing matter. How did you land upon the idea for this film?
Kevin Mukherji: It all goes back to when I was 10 and had to leave my best friend, my dog Gypsy, back in India behind when we moved to Chicago. I grew up an only child and really, really wanted a dog, but my parents had applied to immigrate to the United States and warned me that we’d have to leave the dog behind when we left India. But I stuck to my guns, and my parents got me a dog.
Four years later, we moved to the U.S, and I had to leave Gypsy behind. When we visited India six years later, I learned that the people taking care of Gypsy didn’t do a good job. He was literally chained up on a busy street in Calcutta. It was heartbreaking and shaped how I looked at other living beings. [Note: there is a still of Gypsy in the film.]
Later, after attending film school, I filmed 40 hours of footage with Madeline Bernstein [president of the Los Angeles SPCA], and looking at that footage helped me make the connection between human rights, animal rights, and the environment, which helped guide this film.
LH: What is something you were surprised to learn in the making of this film?
KM: We as humans have a long way to go to take better care of our planet and every living being in it. I looked at other species — dogs, chimpanzees — and they have similar IQs and ways of reacting to the world. But in making the film, I realized just how vastly different human beings are in how they react and how their different IQs and philosophies inform their decisions. I knew that before, but the film really brought it home to me.
I’m motivated to do what comes naturally from my soul to create happiness, but a lot of people are motivated by different things, like money. I feel so strongly that people need to think more before they do things.
LH: In the film you make the case that the protection of animals, the practice of human rights, and the care of our environment are interconnected. How do you feel this message resonates in the current political climate?
KM: WE ARE ONE is more relevant now than ever before. I don’t want to get into politics, but even in the last few days, people who work for the EPA are forbidden to post on social media or talk to the press. A lot of the things we talk about in the film are important, but the government is saying they’re not important. Our documentary focuses on many facets of a subject, including: women’s rights, religion, the environment, human trafficking, animal cruelty. It’s a lot to process, and we don’t have all the answers, but it’s important to ask, to get the conversation started.
A lot of the things we talk about in the film are important, but the government is saying they’re not important.
LH: What do you hope the audience takes away from watching the film?
KM: Simple little things we can all do to make this a better world for everyone. I hope the film will not only start a conversation but also inspire people to improve things in their jobs or their family life through simple acts of kindness. I try to do this as a filmmaker — but it doesn’t matter what you do for a living, it’s how we treat people. A smile can make a big difference. You don’t have to do something drastic, like give up all meat. You can take mini steps to make things better.
LH: What documentaries do you find particularly inspiring, as a filmmaker or citizen?
KM: I grew up seeing a lot of Frederick Wiseman docs. He really invented cinéma vérité. I also love Werner Herzog’s GRIZZLY MAN. Herzog’s ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD is amazing — and done with just a two-person crew in Greenland! I like some — but not all — of Michael Moore’s movies. Basically, any documentary that opens my mind and takes me inside a world I’m not aware of is a good one.
WE ARE ONE screens at the Gene Siskel Film Center on Friday, January 27 at 7:45pm and Wednesday, February 1 at 7:45 pm. Mukherji will be present for a Q & A following both screenings. On Friday, he will be joined by Madeline Bernstein, president of the Los Angeles SPCA.
For tickets and more, visit http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/weareone
