‘I think it is a scene of love’

The happiness she feels every time she knows he is near, and the correspondence, the letters they exchange over time, makes the bonding stronger. The final scene, when he leaves Buenos Aires and she says goodbye to him at the train station, is of absolute love — a different kind of love.

Argentine actress Eleonora Wexler in conversation with Amit Sengupta.

Why did you choose to act in this deeply moving and sensitive film on Rabindranath Tagore and Victoria Ocampo — Thinking of Him?

I chose this sensitive film because I found it very interesting. It tells the story of the encounter between Rabindranath Tagore and Victoria Ocampo, and what each of them represented in their respective countries through their literature and ideas. I thought the meeting between the two of them was very rich, as well as the friendship that developed — from the admiration Ocampo had for Tagore’s literature, especially since she was not familiar with Eastern literature. I thought it was very interesting to portray these two worlds through the work of Pablo César, the director of the film.

Tell us how you feel about their platonic but intense relationship. The scene when he leaves by train and puts his hand on the glass window… what do you think of that scene? Which were the finest moments for you in the film?

Well, I think there is a platonic love between the two of them, very subtly portrayed in the film. She has immense admiration for him, and I believe that despite their age difference, they share a great love that is expressed in the letters, in what she feels for him. This leads her to want to bring him to Paris. 

The happiness she feels every time she knows he is near, and the correspondence, the letters they exchange over time, makes the bonding stronger. The final scene, when he leaves Buenos Aires and she says goodbye to him at the train station, is of absolute love— a different kind of love. 

I think it is a scene of love.

Tell us how you felt doing the role of Victoria Ocampo? How do you look at her strong and intense character — emotional, but with sharp intelligence and strength. How did you enact the last scene, in a car near the sea, smoking a cigarette, when Tagore’s death is announced on the radio?

To interpret Victoria Ocampo was a challenge for me; it was a difficult role, but I worked hard. I researched a lot about her life, her encounter with Tagore, her likes, and what Tagore meant in her life. I tried to prepare and perfect the British English she spoke, as she was raised speaking British English as a second language, alongside Spanish. I really enjoyed doing it. I had a lot of information of Villa Victoria, a well-known place in Buenos Aires. 

The final scene, in my opinion, is the most important part of the story. I believe that the scene captures the depth of their relationship. Pablo, while filming, was hiding in the car, where he played the music for the scene inside the vehicle, so I could grasp what was happening and the depth of the moment. It was deeply moving for me.

 What is your opinion about the writings and poetry of Tagore?

I haven’t read them deeply, nor have I read many poems, but what he speaks about is fundamentally love. Love, compassion, humanity. 

There is a depth in which love is everything. Well, he is a Nobel Laureate in literature. There is a different understanding of the human being that is found not only in the East, but also in the West. Fundamentally, he speaks of love.

You were recently in Kolkata for a film festival where your film was screened. The audience loved the film. You also absorbed the city by traveling to Kalighat and other places. What is your impression about Kolkata?

I was very happy to be at this festival, which is so important and has been running for 30 years. I have seen extremely interesting films, and I feel very proud that the movie, Thinking of Him, was part of this festival. The feeling is that there is so much culture in Kolkata. I loved getting to know the city. 

I had visited India in 2017 when I was in Goa, but I feel that this city, Kolkata, represents the deep essence of India. I am grateful and happy to have participated in such a prestigious and important festival where there were so many remarkable films and renowned artists. The movies I watched at the festival were truly very good and interesting. I am still left with the desire to explore more places in Kolkata. 

I participated, spent time with Victor Banerjee (actor, who played the role of Tagore) and his wife Maya, Sanjiv, and other Indian people who treated us wonderfully and were very kind. It was wonderful to share time with them — indeed, I felt like I am a part of the city.

What kind of films do you act in Argentina? Do they make meaningful and artistic films in your country?

It’s diverse. I don’t focus on just one type of movie. I recently released a film called Lo que quisimos ser (What we wanted to be) by a very renowned director there, and I also worked on a series called L La mente del Poder (The Mind of Power). This past year, I premiered an independent film. 

I don’t stick to one type of movie. I don’t make just one type of films in Argentina. It depends on the project—if the project and the character interests me, I take the offer.  

As for themes in Argentina, there isn’t just one particular type of theme to explore. I think it’s varied; surely, it’s an interesting kind of cinema.

Pablo César, director, Suraj Kumar, producer, Eleonora Wexler, actress, at the Kolkata International Film Festival 4-11 December 2024.