BIB_ID
451108
Accession number
MA 23840.441
Creator
Merchant, Ismail, sender.
Display Date
London, England, 1968 November 30
Credit line
Gift of James Ivory, 2022.
Description
1 aerogramme (2 pages) ; 24.4 x 19.8 cm
Notes
Aerogramme addressed to Mrs. R. Prawer Jhabvala, 1-A Flagstaff Road, Delhi 6, India, not postmarked.
The "grading" referred to in this letter is a pre-digital process called "color grading" (UK) or "color timing" (US), where, prior to striking prints for exhibition, a film lab collaborates with the project's cinematographer, and often with the director and other principals as well, in setting the precise color qualities of each shot in the finished film. Hence the presence of Subrata Mitra, "The Guru's" cinematographer.
The "grading" referred to in this letter is a pre-digital process called "color grading" (UK) or "color timing" (US), where, prior to striking prints for exhibition, a film lab collaborates with the project's cinematographer, and often with the director and other principals as well, in setting the precise color qualities of each shot in the finished film. Hence the presence of Subrata Mitra, "The Guru's" cinematographer.
Provenance
James Ivory.
Summary
Saying that they had tea with her mother Mrs. Prawer after dropping Ruth at the airport [for her return to India]; observing that the apartment now feels empty without her; describing their experiences at the airport, especially after parting from her but still being able to observe her movements and confusion-- "We all wanted you desperately to buy Brandy at the liquor counter but of course you took the signals as signs to board the aircraft"; describing the arrival of Subrata Mitra, who will "see the film with the grader on Monday, December 2"; hoping to have the finished film by the end of the week; admitting he thinks "in many ways it is our best film"; noting that "I had lunch with Mental Health people" and "We are going to meet again with representatives from Fox and Simpson" [presumably in preparation for a charity premiere]; saying they will probably leave for New York in the middle of December and then concentrate on the New York premiere; admitting "I am sorry that we do not have a project to go into immediately"; feeling a lack of "satisfaction of personal life" and wondering if having a permanent base in India or America and working with directors other than Ivory will provide it; claiming they cannot afford to go two years between projects; telling her to write him in New York, and sending love to Jhab and the children.
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