While she may have only two films to her credit as a filmmaker, actress and producer Lizy K Fernandez's artistic journey is deeply rooted in a lifelong passion for creative expression. Her path to cinema was paved long before her debut, through the writing and production of hundreds of Christian devotional songs.
From Devotional Melodies to Cinematic Dreams
Lizy Fernandez produces films under her banner, CN Global Movies, with a philosophy that prioritizes substantial content over mere hype. In a conversation, she revealed her core motivation, stating that her team creates films out of a pure passion for the art form. She admits they lack the large-scale machinery to aggressively promote their work, placing her faith instead in the audience's reception. "My hope lies in how the audience receives them, and so far, we have been lucky on that front," Lizy shared.
'Swargam': A Debut Forged in Belief and Teamwork
Her inaugural venture as both producer and actor was the family drama 'Swargam'. Lizy penned the story herself, which explores the contrasts between two families from disparate backgrounds. The project was a collaborative effort born from the coming together of a few expatriates. "Swargam was a family film... A few of us expatriates came together to make it," she recalled. The film was met with appreciative audiences, receiving great feedback and support. Its songs continue to be popular hits. For Lizy, the film remains special because it was realized through collective belief and teamwork rather than massive production setups.
'Aghosham' and the Viral Campus Anthem
Lizy's second production, 'Aghosham', shifts to a campus setting with a narrative celebrating life itself. The film gained significant traction, particularly due to one of its tracks. "'Bethlehemile', a song from the film, has become viral. Perhaps people don't even realise it's from this film," Lizy noted. She also highlighted another campus song in the film, sung by the renowned MG Sreekumar. She credited director Amal K Joby for executing the project excellently.
Wearing Multiple Hats: Acting and Lyricism
Lizy's foray into acting began with a documentary on Alphonsamma, building on her active participation in competitions during her school and college days. "Art has always been a part of me," she affirmed. She has acted in both her films, taking on the role of Aju Varghese's mother in 'Swargam' and the principal in 'Aghosham'. She emphasizes quality over screen time, stating, "Even if the role is small, I want it to be neat."
As a lyricist, her portfolio is dominated by devotional compositions, accounting for ninety-nine percent of her work. Interestingly, the viral hit 'Bethlehemile' from 'Aghosham' was also penned by her. She offered a candid observation on the industry, noting that lyricists are often overshadowed by music directors. Citing the example of the song 'Minnalvala' from the film 'ARM', she pointed out that it became a major hit only when Jakes Bejoy's music synergized with the lyrics of Kaithapram (Damodaran Namboothiri).
Lizy K Fernandez's journey exemplifies a content-driven approach to filmmaking, where artistic integrity and audience connection triumph over noise and glamour. Her evolution from a devotional songwriter to a filmmaker carving her own niche continues to inspire.
