Written by on Jun 27, 2012. Posted in Production News

Mother Teresa biopic The Letters films on location in Goa in India

A biopic of Mother Teresa’s work in Kolkata (Calcutta) has been filmed on location in Goa in India. The Letters is set in 2003 as efforts were being made to have Mother Teresa canonised. It follows her story through a series of letters that she sent to her spiritual advisor beginning in the 1940s.

Mother Teresa’s fame grew through her work in the slums of Kolkata, but Goa was a more practical stand-in for the production as much of its colonial architecture has remained over the years. Nonetheless, extensive set dressing was needed to create the India of the 1930s and 40s.

We scouted practically every street and alley in Goa to find the ones that would work for both period and practicality.

Tony Cordeaux, Goa Film Services

Tony Cordeaux produced through his company Goa Film Services: “We used lots of Goan colonial houses as the interiors for the international and Kolkata period locations. We scouted practically every street and alley in Goa to find the ones that would work for both period and practicality. Aman Vidhate, our Production Designer, and his team did a fantastic job of hiding Goa's tropical greenery and transforming scenes into 1940s Calcutta.

“If you ever visit modern Kolkata you will quickly realise that it bears little resemblance to its former colonial self. In fact starting in Goa with a blank canvas was probably easier than trying to turn the clock back in the city itself.”

Limited filming took place in Kolkata for shots of historic slum buildings that were necessary for the story and then Location Manager Pupul D'Cruz and the team decided to film additional slum locations in Goa and Mumbai. Filming in these locations with up to 600 extras was a major challenge, but the collision of architectural styles in close proximity to each other was a huge advantage.

Cordeaux comments: “On one side of the courtyard is a substantial colonial heritage building which we used for a Calcutta 1947 independence scene in the morning. On the other [side] is a modern glass and chrome cinema which we used for the Norway 1979 Nobel ceremony scene exteriors in the afternoon.

Two big scenes in different periods complete with period costumes and vehicles in one day without moving the unit or the crowd; lots of bang for buck!

Tony Cordeaux, Goa Film Services

“Two big scenes in different periods complete with period costumes and vehicles in one day without moving the unit or the crowd; lots of bang for buck!”

Bill Riead wrote and directed the film: "Doubling for other countries, we found a beautiful estate in Goa that subbed for the Vatican. It worked absolutely beautifully. No one would know that we filmed the Vatican in India."

Goa Film Services worked with The Entertainment Society of Goa to arrange the necessary filming permits. As a registered local Line Producer, Cordeaux was able to access a streamlined and transparent permissions process.

The Letters will be released in 2013.

(Photos: Goa Film Services)