Shooting of a new documentary film “Ebb” for the Russian online cinema began in India

…Time froze in the lifeless salt desert separating Pakistan and the Indian province of Kutch. Salt field workers have been working here for five centuries now. Day and night they evaporate sea water and extract salt. Their bodies are covered with ulcers, and their hair is salted so that even children look like gray-haired old men. People here barely survive, but centuries of tradition and fear of change keep them on this harsh land.

A young guy Ranjit posts funny videos with Indian songs on a social network. He is the older brother and protector of his family. The second brother Shyam believes in education and every day after work he goes to the university for knowledge. The brothers are different, but both feel that they were born for something more. And then one day they decide to make an escape in search of a new path in life…

This everyday story a few years ago literally came to the director Igor Virabov, who flew to India for another project. But circumstances developed in such a way that he and the group had a few free days, during which they traveled around the country in search of interesting places for filming and stories. And stumbled upon the salt fields in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Director Igor Virabov tells the following about the film: “Today’s world is changing very quickly, you need to literally get new skills every day, and a person is an extremely unusual creature, it is most comfortable for him to sit in one place. Therefore, these young guys turn out to be an incredible example, which personally I am inspired, they really go through a lot of hardships to get an education, to earn money to start a family. Such a desire is an amazingly strong message for anyone, especially for the younger generation living in today’s very difficult world.”

Creative producer and showrunner of the project Ivan Oganesov explains:

“Our heroes live in a world where there are no such simple concepts as a shower, boiling water, conditioner, shampoo … And at the same time, these two guys have something real, alive inside, a kind of fire that makes them believe in the best, dare to meet their fears and embark on a journey to find a better life.Every day, Ranjit and Shyam have to make their way into the unknown, moving through the state of Gujarat and proving on the spot that they can handle any of the dirtiest and most controversial jobs.After all, they are used to going to the end. The question is, what is “at the end” and is it even possible to reach “to the end” if you are on the way?

The director of photography of the film is Evgeny Belov. Producers: Andrey Tereshok, Makar Kozhukhov, Andrey Begunov, Ekaterina Ururu, Marina Kataya. The film is slated to release on the Premier platform in 2024.

Photo: Photo courtesy of Premier