MARRIED TO THE MOVIES

Filmmaker couple GITA PULLAPILLY and ARON GAUDET first wowed audiences and critics alike in 2009 with a feature documentary that won 18 festival awards around the world. Known for their intimate and authentic storytelling, they've worked on diverse genres, shedding light on key social issues and helping change perspectives. Kalwyna Rathod speaks to the duo on filmmaking, being a team, and more

- Kalwyna Rathod

It's always refreshing to see partnership grow over the years and become the backbone of awardwinning works of art. That's Emmy-nominated filmmaker couple Gita Pullapilly and Aron Gaudet for you. The US-based husband-wife duo started their creative journey as a team in 2004, making waves worldwide with the 2009 documentary, The Way We Get By.

The pair then went on to work on Lifecasters, a national television programme in the US, and Beneath The Harvest Sky in 2003, earning accolades for the latter. Currently, Pullapilly and Gaudet have projects lined up with Amazon Films, STX Entertainment, Paramount Plus, Showtime, and 101 Studios.

We bring you excerpts from an interview.

On Being Married To Each Other, And To Filmmaking...

So, first things first, what makes them a great team? "There is a reason there are very few married couples who are co-screenwriters and co-directors. Early on, when Aron and I decided to write and direct together, we needed to set some ground rules. One of the rules was to be open to each other's ideas," Pullapilly says.

She accepts that they're not perfect. “When we do argue, it's mostly because we're feeling like our idea is not being heard properly. So, every day we have to make a conscious effort to be present for one another. Writing and directing as a husband and wife team has made us stronger as a couple, because every day is marriage therapy,” she adds.