Although divinity is less dominant in today's leaders, monarchs of the past definitely tried to achieve and project absolute Divinity. For Elizabeth, she may have seen it really early from her father. Henry VIII regarded himself the supreme head of the state and Church, and destroyed anyone who crossed his path. Elizabeth could have been exactly like that, but somehow, due to her struggle in early life, her predominantly male environment, and perhaps by being a woman, she is ultimately more vulnerable... more human.

Shekhar I hope the movie shows as much mortality in Elizabeth as divinity. After all, isn't the struggle for divinity a sign of mortality? What I loved about the first movie was the way it showed the human side. It's how I was able to relate to this monarch of the past that made it work for me. I am especially excited to see how the mortal Elizabeth reacts to her cousin's execution and the destruction of the Armada.

Thank you for the response. While you're able to answer, and amenable, I'll ask more questions...do you believe all monarchs struggled for divinity, or do you believe Elizabeth was unique? If so, do you believe her sex was the primary impetus for that struggle? Would her father, for instance, have experienced such a struggle? Did Elizabeth have to vanquish her femininity to become 'divine'?

Dear Mr. Shekhar,

How exciting that we get to read about a movie while it's being made! And you are working with three great phenomenas in the cinematic world today. Cate and Abbie are probably the best Australian actors alive (watched Abbie in 'Somersault' recently,and was blown away!), and Clive of course, has his unmatched screen presence.

I request you, if possible, while writing this diary, aside from details about the film itself, please do provide insight into the process of your visualising the film too.
I know the process is difficult to put down in words, but just any insight into the inner workings of a filmmaking genius, would benefit budding filmmakers tremendously.
I remember watching 'Bandit Queen' and wondering what an amazing, genial talent the director must be. Elizabeth was no less astonishingly well made.
It would be fantastic to learn even a teeny bit of how you manage to compose many of your boggling sequences.

when is your movie going to be finished?

I believe we are all both mortal and (immortal)divine...and when we find ourselves at the end of the struggle rope and J U S T L E T G O, both can be experienced, as the waves crashes upon the shores, in deep waters lay the peaceful calm, at the same time.

Our struggle is perhaps in the accepting of the two.

So, I believe we are absolutely both.

Cinda

I think it interesting that you pose the idea of an absolute divinity as the moral center of the film.

I really felt the first part of Elizabeth I's story, as you captured it, demonstrated that there is no way a person can achieve divinity inwardly; only through outward measures could she become what she aspired to be. If she could make her people believe it, she was divine. In the first part of her life, was she making choices trying to convince herself? Is the second film where she does what we all do-- start to believe our own hype? She was, in the end, as much murderer as anybody else ... regardless of contribution, no matter who's side you are on.

And isn't that the truth, really, about the mortal and the divine in each of us? I am not sure that we are all in the same struggle ... because not all of us believe that there is God or anything divine, but if we had to choose one or the other for ourselves, how would they really be any different? Her story is a perfect mirror for this ...

Dear Mr. Shekhar,

I was asking myself … isn’t Cate supposed to shoot in Romania this summer? Or is the “Richard Gere Project” unconfirmed? Of course, she can attend both projects …
I would also like to “exploit” you: could you please send my love to Clive Owen? I deeply admire him and I do love the way he speaks about his daughters …

Thanks

piccine

Thanks

piccine

Dear Mr. Shekhar,

Would you let me know when filming going to finish?
Or could you tell me when the going to be released?

Thank you

Best,
June

Dear Shekhar, being an avid interest-historian(no educatin on it) via books, stories, movies, historical-archives; I was completely satisfied, and felt complete after watching Elizabeth.

I believe in Absolute Divinity.

I have always felt Elizabeth was pre-Destined to sustain her early-in-life traits and characteristics; because of this.

I also, always felt a resonation between her, and Elizabeth Barrett Browning-another woman groomed early in life; to learn man-learned things. She was another woman pre-destined for greatness of another kind.

I've always felt Elizabeth felt entirely trapped as Queen in Waiting-and as eventual Queen.

Her depictions in early years, prior to her betrayals of plenty; were a playful woman, sure of herself, and strong in her perceptions.

To me, it was her destiny to rule a kingdom; which set the pierce's to her heart, to rule there-a Divine Creation.

Her willingness to not part from her path as Queen-and the Passion to be the best Queen for England-is what saved her sanity.

The tragedy is also, in the heardening of her heart-I rather tend to believe she would have been a Lady Diana.

North