Farouk Gulsara's Blog, page 12
February 24, 2025
Of feudal tyranny!
Nishant (Night's End, Hindi, 1975)
Director: Shyam Benegal
Cultural practices and people's thinking evolve as society progresses. Everybody likes to think that it is progress. If, a generation ago, hugging and cuddling between family members was not the norm, now, touch is considered a prerequisite for healthy psychological growth, especially for the young. What seems perfect today may, in time to come, turn unspeakable.
Long ago, the group of people known as the Paraiyars held a certain status in society. They were reputable for making good drums, which were an essential item then. Drums were important tools in religious ceremonies and battlegrounds, and they were an excellent mode of communication in battles. Coded drumming conveyed specific codes. At one point, the Paraiyars even broke from their armies and formed their own empire.
Over time, the belief system of the land underwent its own renaissance of sorts. Breakaways from Hinduism viewed meat eating and working on carcasses as something demeaning. Elitists of the Hindus decided that they would instead revere cows and omit meat altogether from their diet. The Paraiyars soon found themselves treated as outcasts, clinging on to the lowest rung of the food chain.
When the British colonial masters came over to India to aid their project of squandering wealth from the exotic, they had to analyse the societal strata. It aided in their policy to 'divide and rule'. For that, they used a system akin to the one used in Europe, subdividing people by profession. For example, a Baker bakes, a Thatcher repairs roofs, a Fletcher is an arrowsmith, and a Schumaker makes shoes. In their census, the British classified their subject by profession.
Smitha Patil, Shyam Benegal, Shabana Azmi@ Cannes Film Festival 1976.Before the Europeans reared their ugly heads to the subcontinent, the Indians had their own internal economic equilibrium. This, however, was put in disarray when mercantilism and imperialism changed how business was done. This modern trade system placed a strain on the social layout. The divide between the haves and have-nots increased. People did what they could to prosper, like dancing to the tune of the leaders of the day. This created a ruling class and a subserviently helpless working class.
This is what happened in 1945 in India, as depicted in this movie. The landowner class used their bargaining power to cow the helpless farmers. They not only cheated by them blind with arbitrary rules but also got away with bullying and other activities. Nishant is one such movie. It is a product of the parallel cinema in India. Made by master filmmaker Shyam Benegal, it was acted beautifully by doyens Smitha Patil and Shabana Azmi. Amrish Puri plays the villain. It was a powerful narration of social oppression, feudal tyranny, and social injustice complemented by subtle but intense characterisation by the actors who took this film to Cannes in 1976. It showcased Benegal's creativity as a filmmaker who dared to tell stories that mattered to the world, leaving an everlasting impact on Indian and world cinema.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Director: Shyam Benegal
Cultural practices and people's thinking evolve as society progresses. Everybody likes to think that it is progress. If, a generation ago, hugging and cuddling between family members was not the norm, now, touch is considered a prerequisite for healthy psychological growth, especially for the young. What seems perfect today may, in time to come, turn unspeakable.
Long ago, the group of people known as the Paraiyars held a certain status in society. They were reputable for making good drums, which were an essential item then. Drums were important tools in religious ceremonies and battlegrounds, and they were an excellent mode of communication in battles. Coded drumming conveyed specific codes. At one point, the Paraiyars even broke from their armies and formed their own empire.
Over time, the belief system of the land underwent its own renaissance of sorts. Breakaways from Hinduism viewed meat eating and working on carcasses as something demeaning. Elitists of the Hindus decided that they would instead revere cows and omit meat altogether from their diet. The Paraiyars soon found themselves treated as outcasts, clinging on to the lowest rung of the food chain.
When the British colonial masters came over to India to aid their project of squandering wealth from the exotic, they had to analyse the societal strata. It aided in their policy to 'divide and rule'. For that, they used a system akin to the one used in Europe, subdividing people by profession. For example, a Baker bakes, a Thatcher repairs roofs, a Fletcher is an arrowsmith, and a Schumaker makes shoes. In their census, the British classified their subject by profession.
Smitha Patil, Shyam Benegal, Shabana Azmi@ Cannes Film Festival 1976.Before the Europeans reared their ugly heads to the subcontinent, the Indians had their own internal economic equilibrium. This, however, was put in disarray when mercantilism and imperialism changed how business was done. This modern trade system placed a strain on the social layout. The divide between the haves and have-nots increased. People did what they could to prosper, like dancing to the tune of the leaders of the day. This created a ruling class and a subserviently helpless working class.This is what happened in 1945 in India, as depicted in this movie. The landowner class used their bargaining power to cow the helpless farmers. They not only cheated by them blind with arbitrary rules but also got away with bullying and other activities. Nishant is one such movie. It is a product of the parallel cinema in India. Made by master filmmaker Shyam Benegal, it was acted beautifully by doyens Smitha Patil and Shabana Azmi. Amrish Puri plays the villain. It was a powerful narration of social oppression, feudal tyranny, and social injustice complemented by subtle but intense characterisation by the actors who took this film to Cannes in 1976. It showcased Benegal's creativity as a filmmaker who dared to tell stories that mattered to the world, leaving an everlasting impact on Indian and world cinema.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 22, 2025
To learn, one has to listen.
Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud (Based on Heinrich Harrer's book with the same name)
Similar to the internment camps established in the USA for German and Japanese migrants during the First and Second World Wars, India had comparable camps. Numerous German workers and even alpine climbers from Austria were detained in various camps around Ahmedabad and Dehradun. One notable individual was Gustav Hermann Krimbiegel, an extraordinary gardener credited with creating royal gardens across India. Krimbiegel was a German botanist who migrated to Britain in 1888. He began his apprenticeship at Kew Gardens and was subsequently recommended to work in the garden of the Maharaja of Baroda. After witnessing his remarkable gardening skills, he was commissioned by other princely states. He is recognised for his development of Lalbagh in Bangalore, Brindavan in Mysore, and many others. In addition to his horticultural achievements, he is also known for introducing new seeds from abroad to India, along with innovative architectural designs, creating a distinctive Indian aesthetic for gardens.
When World War II broke out, Krimbiegel, due to his German origins, was confined to an internment camp as an enemy of the British Empire. With the assistance of King Baroda, who was at the time the wealthiest man in the world, special arrangements were made with the Empire for his release. Krimbiegel is credited with introducing innovative agricultural practices that enhanced irrigation, supported local economies, conducted tree censuses, and infused European techniques into traditional Indian gardening.
Gustav Hermann Krimbiegel (1865-1956)
https://medium.com/@andrewabranches/
gustav-hermann-krumbiegel-b6bdb9ad28c0'Seven Years in Tibet' is based on the life and times of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian climber who spent seven years in Tibet between 1944 and 1951. Starting as a haughty and rash young man with an attitude leaves his fully pregnant wife to go hiking in the Himalayas in 1939. When WW2 started, Herrer and his friends were imprisoned as POWs. In 1944, he escaped from prison and ran to Tibet, hoping to eventually go back home.
What happened afterwards was a life-changing experience for Harrer and his fellow climber, Peter Aufschnaiter. After receiving divorce papers from his wife and a cold letter from a son he had never met, Harrer chose to stay in Tibet to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Coincidentally, he had a chance encounter with the young Dalai Lama in Lhasa, becoming the Dalai Lama's teacher and close confidante.
The invaluable lesson that is taught to us from Harrer's life experience is this. Isolation opens our inner eye. Stranded in the middle of the gargantuan forces of Nature, one is humbled to come to terms with his vulnerability. Ego is crushed, and all he sees in front of him is his mortality and the life that passed him by. It is at this opportune time that one can make amends. By being respectful and curious, one can be a good student. Watching this film and viewing Zakir Naik's vile video, one can understand how wrong and close-minded Naik is in spreading his deluded 'wisdom'.
https://mindiafilms.com/the-maharajas-german-gardener-g-h-krumbiegel/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud (Based on Heinrich Harrer's book with the same name)
Similar to the internment camps established in the USA for German and Japanese migrants during the First and Second World Wars, India had comparable camps. Numerous German workers and even alpine climbers from Austria were detained in various camps around Ahmedabad and Dehradun. One notable individual was Gustav Hermann Krimbiegel, an extraordinary gardener credited with creating royal gardens across India. Krimbiegel was a German botanist who migrated to Britain in 1888. He began his apprenticeship at Kew Gardens and was subsequently recommended to work in the garden of the Maharaja of Baroda. After witnessing his remarkable gardening skills, he was commissioned by other princely states. He is recognised for his development of Lalbagh in Bangalore, Brindavan in Mysore, and many others. In addition to his horticultural achievements, he is also known for introducing new seeds from abroad to India, along with innovative architectural designs, creating a distinctive Indian aesthetic for gardens.When World War II broke out, Krimbiegel, due to his German origins, was confined to an internment camp as an enemy of the British Empire. With the assistance of King Baroda, who was at the time the wealthiest man in the world, special arrangements were made with the Empire for his release. Krimbiegel is credited with introducing innovative agricultural practices that enhanced irrigation, supported local economies, conducted tree censuses, and infused European techniques into traditional Indian gardening.
Gustav Hermann Krimbiegel (1865-1956)https://medium.com/@andrewabranches/
gustav-hermann-krumbiegel-b6bdb9ad28c0'Seven Years in Tibet' is based on the life and times of Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian climber who spent seven years in Tibet between 1944 and 1951. Starting as a haughty and rash young man with an attitude leaves his fully pregnant wife to go hiking in the Himalayas in 1939. When WW2 started, Herrer and his friends were imprisoned as POWs. In 1944, he escaped from prison and ran to Tibet, hoping to eventually go back home.
What happened afterwards was a life-changing experience for Harrer and his fellow climber, Peter Aufschnaiter. After receiving divorce papers from his wife and a cold letter from a son he had never met, Harrer chose to stay in Tibet to embark on a journey of self-discovery. Coincidentally, he had a chance encounter with the young Dalai Lama in Lhasa, becoming the Dalai Lama's teacher and close confidante.
The invaluable lesson that is taught to us from Harrer's life experience is this. Isolation opens our inner eye. Stranded in the middle of the gargantuan forces of Nature, one is humbled to come to terms with his vulnerability. Ego is crushed, and all he sees in front of him is his mortality and the life that passed him by. It is at this opportune time that one can make amends. By being respectful and curious, one can be a good student. Watching this film and viewing Zakir Naik's vile video, one can understand how wrong and close-minded Naik is in spreading his deluded 'wisdom'.
https://mindiafilms.com/the-maharajas-german-gardener-g-h-krumbiegel/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 20, 2025
Now, 'trans' can compete with 'cis'?
Emilia Pérez (2025)
Director:
Jacques Audiard
mvtimes.com/es/2024/10/29/emilia-
perez-film-musical-genre-bender /This musical offering would not have garnered as much airtime if it had not been for an openly transgender individual who won the Best Actress awards at both the Cannes and the Oscars. Interestingly, a female actor (a cis woman) insists on being referred to strictly as an 'actor', not an 'actress'. They are particularly keen on this, demanding to be addressed as 'actors'. I suppose this does not apply to transgender actors. A quick glance at Karla Sofía Gascón's Wikipedia page states her occupation as an actress. For a transgender person, being addressed as female represents the ultimate victory of her transition.
It continues to be one of the most nominated films of the year and the most nominated non-English language film in the Academy's history.
When it comes to the basics, this is a gangster film with a twist. The twist is that one can never conceive of a mob film as a musical. What's more, it makes the feared mobster, Manitas, want to leave it all behind to transition into becoming a woman after abandoning his wife and two children. To facilitate this, he hires an aspiring and desperate lawyer, Rita, to arrange all the medical and legal matters for him to disappear. After months of painful gender reassignment surgery and cosmetic procedures in Thailand and Israel, Manitas becomes Emilia Pérez. His wife and children are relocated to Switzerland. Manitas' death is staged.
Four years later, Manitas, now Emilia, must long for her family. She meets the family and introduces herself as Manitas' distant cousin. With the assistance of Rita, the lawyer, they relocate to Mexico City and live as one large, happy family. Trouble arises when Manitas' widowed wife rekindles her romance with an old flame. Emilia also runs a non-profit organisation that seeks justice for individuals killed by gangsters in Mexico.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
mvtimes.com/es/2024/10/29/emilia-perez-film-musical-genre-bender /This musical offering would not have garnered as much airtime if it had not been for an openly transgender individual who won the Best Actress awards at both the Cannes and the Oscars. Interestingly, a female actor (a cis woman) insists on being referred to strictly as an 'actor', not an 'actress'. They are particularly keen on this, demanding to be addressed as 'actors'. I suppose this does not apply to transgender actors. A quick glance at Karla Sofía Gascón's Wikipedia page states her occupation as an actress. For a transgender person, being addressed as female represents the ultimate victory of her transition.
It continues to be one of the most nominated films of the year and the most nominated non-English language film in the Academy's history.
When it comes to the basics, this is a gangster film with a twist. The twist is that one can never conceive of a mob film as a musical. What's more, it makes the feared mobster, Manitas, want to leave it all behind to transition into becoming a woman after abandoning his wife and two children. To facilitate this, he hires an aspiring and desperate lawyer, Rita, to arrange all the medical and legal matters for him to disappear. After months of painful gender reassignment surgery and cosmetic procedures in Thailand and Israel, Manitas becomes Emilia Pérez. His wife and children are relocated to Switzerland. Manitas' death is staged.
Four years later, Manitas, now Emilia, must long for her family. She meets the family and introduces herself as Manitas' distant cousin. With the assistance of Rita, the lawyer, they relocate to Mexico City and live as one large, happy family. Trouble arises when Manitas' widowed wife rekindles her romance with an old flame. Emilia also runs a non-profit organisation that seeks justice for individuals killed by gangsters in Mexico.
Interspersed and woven into the story are actors bursting into song, occasionally with quite catchy tunes.
It's amusing that we used to laugh at Indian films when actors broke into song and dance back in the day. A 1932 Hindi film, Indersabha, along with its Tamil counterpart, Indrasabha, featured 70 songs. Now, Hollywood musicals are receiving awards—garnering all the nominations for highlighting the LGBTQ agenda, which is currently in vogue, though not so much for their artistic merit.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 18, 2025
Normalising woke culture?
Kadhalikka Neramillai (No time to love, காதலிக்க நேரமில்லை; Tamil, 2025)
Director: Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi
https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertai...-
when-and-where-to-watch-this-romantic-drama-starring-jayam-ravi-a
nd-nithiya-menon-article-12936421.htmlIt would have been just another Netflix recommendation that I would have ignored. Having such an unoriginal name, which had been used before, did not excite me. For the ignoramus, in 1964, the Tamil cinema was taken back by Sridhar's superhit. Its psychedelic, picturesque Eastman moment came to be defined as Tamil cinema's first rom-com. The hit song. ' Visvanathan, velai vendum !' became to be sung as the voice of defiance of the oppressed.
My interest was piqued when a YouTuber of a channel I follow went into a tirade trying to tear down Netflix and its moviemakers for thinking out of such a crass movie. Other Tamil movie reviewers were kind to the movie, praising it for its modern approach to storytelling and refreshing filmmaking. They probably did not want to offend the First Family of Tamil Nadu, as the ruling CM's family is involved in the film's direction, production and distribution. My YouTuber accused Netflix and the producers of trying to tear down every fibre of decency and threaten to destroy the Indian way of life. The prescribed Indian or Tamil way of living, where a female is supposed to follow specific rules regarding sex, weddings and patriarchal lead, is torn down.
The movie starts with a rebellious daughter, Shriya, working as an architect in Chennai, asking her mother how sure she was that her unmarried daughter was still a virgin. The mother almost faints whilst the father ducks down, avoiding the confrontation that ensued.
To put things in order, it is a story about a daughter who plans to migrate to the US after a civil marriage with her 4-year-old boyfriend and obtains her visa. One day, after returning from work earlier than usual, she finds her husband in bed with her best friend. She annuls her wedding.
The 1964 versionIn another town, Bangalore, another architect, Sid, is all set to engage his model girlfriend. After a minor misunderstanding, the fiancée decides not to turn up. As is often the case, he goes on bedding beaux one after another for revenge.
Meanwhile, Shriya realises that her biological clock is ticking away and wants a baby as soon as possible. What does she do? She goes straight for donor insemination. And guess whose sperm she receives? Don't ask how, but she receives Sid's from another state. Sid had once accompanied his gay friend to donate his sperm for future use. Sid does the same. This gay friend reappears later to marry his partner. This became a point of contention for the commentator as if the film is normalising gay weddings in India. For the record, while the third gender is recognised in Indian law, gay weddings are not.
The purists also have issues with the casual portrayal of alcohol consumption by both sexes and across all layers of society. The familial decorum, such as the parent-child barrier often observed in traditional Indian families, seems to have disappeared. Single parenting is depicted as the most natural thing. It is trying to shove in the Woke's gender agenda.
Most Indian movies end with all the characters agreeing that the Indian way of life is supreme as if to resolve all the issues. No, not here. The protagonist decides to live with the sperm donor as her live-in partner.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertai...-when-and-where-to-watch-this-romantic-drama-starring-jayam-ravi-a
nd-nithiya-menon-article-12936421.htmlIt would have been just another Netflix recommendation that I would have ignored. Having such an unoriginal name, which had been used before, did not excite me. For the ignoramus, in 1964, the Tamil cinema was taken back by Sridhar's superhit. Its psychedelic, picturesque Eastman moment came to be defined as Tamil cinema's first rom-com. The hit song. ' Visvanathan, velai vendum !' became to be sung as the voice of defiance of the oppressed.
My interest was piqued when a YouTuber of a channel I follow went into a tirade trying to tear down Netflix and its moviemakers for thinking out of such a crass movie. Other Tamil movie reviewers were kind to the movie, praising it for its modern approach to storytelling and refreshing filmmaking. They probably did not want to offend the First Family of Tamil Nadu, as the ruling CM's family is involved in the film's direction, production and distribution. My YouTuber accused Netflix and the producers of trying to tear down every fibre of decency and threaten to destroy the Indian way of life. The prescribed Indian or Tamil way of living, where a female is supposed to follow specific rules regarding sex, weddings and patriarchal lead, is torn down.
The movie starts with a rebellious daughter, Shriya, working as an architect in Chennai, asking her mother how sure she was that her unmarried daughter was still a virgin. The mother almost faints whilst the father ducks down, avoiding the confrontation that ensued.
To put things in order, it is a story about a daughter who plans to migrate to the US after a civil marriage with her 4-year-old boyfriend and obtains her visa. One day, after returning from work earlier than usual, she finds her husband in bed with her best friend. She annuls her wedding.
The 1964 versionIn another town, Bangalore, another architect, Sid, is all set to engage his model girlfriend. After a minor misunderstanding, the fiancée decides not to turn up. As is often the case, he goes on bedding beaux one after another for revenge. Meanwhile, Shriya realises that her biological clock is ticking away and wants a baby as soon as possible. What does she do? She goes straight for donor insemination. And guess whose sperm she receives? Don't ask how, but she receives Sid's from another state. Sid had once accompanied his gay friend to donate his sperm for future use. Sid does the same. This gay friend reappears later to marry his partner. This became a point of contention for the commentator as if the film is normalising gay weddings in India. For the record, while the third gender is recognised in Indian law, gay weddings are not.
The purists also have issues with the casual portrayal of alcohol consumption by both sexes and across all layers of society. The familial decorum, such as the parent-child barrier often observed in traditional Indian families, seems to have disappeared. Single parenting is depicted as the most natural thing. It is trying to shove in the Woke's gender agenda.
Most Indian movies end with all the characters agreeing that the Indian way of life is supreme as if to resolve all the issues. No, not here. The protagonist decides to live with the sperm donor as her live-in partner.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 16, 2025
Not easy to be light!
The Unbearable Lightness of Being 1988
Director: Philip Kaufman
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/g... This film, with such a provocative title, is based on a novel by Milan Kundera published in 1984. It takes place during the Prague Spring of 1968. Against the backdrop of political upheaval in Poland, the narrative explores what it means to be liberated from political oppression as well as the pursuit of sexual freedom.
The phrase 'being light' probably has its roots in the New Testament, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30). It is said that keeping up the strict law of the Pharisees was difficult, so the followers were told to leave their burden to Jesus. So, to be light is to be free.
Freedom comes with its burdens. It is an essential privilege that humans strive for. Its significance cannot be overstated for the modern individual who values self-expression and individualism. Achieving complete freedom without the burden of control can be challenging. Although all forms of governance appear promising at their inception, they ultimately falter miserably. The concept of an authoritarian leader supposedly ordained by God only functions well as long as circumstances are favourable. In the face of calamity, people would seize their pitchforks and sickles to demand equality. The equal distribution and Kafkaesque rule ultimately turn on themselves. Just when one believes that capital would save the day, it reveals its inherent predatory nature, fuelled by human greed.
Through much trial and error, society has established rules for how individuals engage in communal living. Many of these regulations lack a scientific foundation and are established solely by consensus, with sexual engagement being one such example.
Although people may disagree with this arrangement, they generally adhere to it. Nonetheless, they long to defy the law.
This film endeavours to illustrate the merits and drawbacks of both arrangements, namely, a more unrestricted form of governance and an open relationship where loyalty to one partner is not essential. It recounts the transformative times of 1968 Prague when a dynamic new leader assumed control. His notions of press freedom and literary liberty clash with their Russian superiors, who rolled their tanks into Prague. Against this backdrop is a free-spirited young surgeon whose perspective on sex is libertarian, bordering on promiscuity. The doctor eschews monogamy. While in a relationship, he meets and marries another woman. He maintains his affair with his girlfriend while she is in another relationship. The doctor and his girlfriend pursue different life paths due to the events in Prague. By the end of the journey, we are left with the impression that adhering to a conventional and familiar path may lead to a more fulfilling outcome.
At times, we project an image of 'being light', appearing easy or free (light), to convince ourselves that we are fine. 'The burden of being light' refers to the paradoxical feeling of being weighed down by the pressure to appear carefree, effortless, or joyful, even when facing personal struggles or difficulties. It embodies the stress of continuously presenting a lighthearted façade while concealing the heavier emotions beneath. 'Light' typically signifies ease and freedom, whereas 'burden' suggests heaviness and stress, creating a paradoxical image. Social media influencers, multi-level marketing entrepreneurs, individuals in leadership roles, and those who are inherently optimistic experience the pressure of constantly uplifting others, even when they themselves require support. The incessant need to appear light can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even depression if one feels unable to express their true emotions. The necessity to feign freedom is challenging. Sometimes, it is easier to be like sheep and follow the breadcrumbs left by those who have walked the same path.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Director: Philip Kaufman
https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/original/g... This film, with such a provocative title, is based on a novel by Milan Kundera published in 1984. It takes place during the Prague Spring of 1968. Against the backdrop of political upheaval in Poland, the narrative explores what it means to be liberated from political oppression as well as the pursuit of sexual freedom.The phrase 'being light' probably has its roots in the New Testament, "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30). It is said that keeping up the strict law of the Pharisees was difficult, so the followers were told to leave their burden to Jesus. So, to be light is to be free.
Freedom comes with its burdens. It is an essential privilege that humans strive for. Its significance cannot be overstated for the modern individual who values self-expression and individualism. Achieving complete freedom without the burden of control can be challenging. Although all forms of governance appear promising at their inception, they ultimately falter miserably. The concept of an authoritarian leader supposedly ordained by God only functions well as long as circumstances are favourable. In the face of calamity, people would seize their pitchforks and sickles to demand equality. The equal distribution and Kafkaesque rule ultimately turn on themselves. Just when one believes that capital would save the day, it reveals its inherent predatory nature, fuelled by human greed.
Through much trial and error, society has established rules for how individuals engage in communal living. Many of these regulations lack a scientific foundation and are established solely by consensus, with sexual engagement being one such example.
Although people may disagree with this arrangement, they generally adhere to it. Nonetheless, they long to defy the law.
This film endeavours to illustrate the merits and drawbacks of both arrangements, namely, a more unrestricted form of governance and an open relationship where loyalty to one partner is not essential. It recounts the transformative times of 1968 Prague when a dynamic new leader assumed control. His notions of press freedom and literary liberty clash with their Russian superiors, who rolled their tanks into Prague. Against this backdrop is a free-spirited young surgeon whose perspective on sex is libertarian, bordering on promiscuity. The doctor eschews monogamy. While in a relationship, he meets and marries another woman. He maintains his affair with his girlfriend while she is in another relationship. The doctor and his girlfriend pursue different life paths due to the events in Prague. By the end of the journey, we are left with the impression that adhering to a conventional and familiar path may lead to a more fulfilling outcome.
At times, we project an image of 'being light', appearing easy or free (light), to convince ourselves that we are fine. 'The burden of being light' refers to the paradoxical feeling of being weighed down by the pressure to appear carefree, effortless, or joyful, even when facing personal struggles or difficulties. It embodies the stress of continuously presenting a lighthearted façade while concealing the heavier emotions beneath. 'Light' typically signifies ease and freedom, whereas 'burden' suggests heaviness and stress, creating a paradoxical image. Social media influencers, multi-level marketing entrepreneurs, individuals in leadership roles, and those who are inherently optimistic experience the pressure of constantly uplifting others, even when they themselves require support. The incessant need to appear light can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and even depression if one feels unable to express their true emotions. The necessity to feign freedom is challenging. Sometimes, it is easier to be like sheep and follow the breadcrumbs left by those who have walked the same path.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 14, 2025
Just another day?
The Sun rears its orangey hue over the horizon. Yet another new day dawns. The Sun does not know it is starting a new horizon. It performs its preordained duty, firing nuclear fusion reactions on its surface. It is the round Earth that revolves around the Sun. The Earth does not know a new day has begun. It just revolves counterclockwise on its axis. It has multiple new dawns at its manufactured latitudes. It neither knows where it started nor its point of reference. A series of celestial accidents brought it to be with its speed and its faithful lunar companion.
https://borderlessjournal.com/2025/02/14/just-another-day-2/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 12, 2025
A Bad Honeymoon?
Bitter Moon (1992)
Director: Roman Polanski
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitter-Moon-...
/dp/B001AOHPN0I have been reading about Polanski's brush with the law for years. In 1977, he was charged with multiple charges of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. Even though he made a plea bargain, upon hearing that he might be receiving a jail sentence, he absconded from the US, and till now, he has lived as a fugitive in France. He rarely travels for fear of extradition.
Even before this case, he made headlines in 1969 when the deviant followers of Marilyn Manson embarked on a violent spree, killing Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant.
Polanski's 2002 film 'The Pianist' was well-received by the showbiz world. It went on to win multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Director (Polanski) and Best Actor (Adrian Brody). In 2008, a documentary was created about the life and times of Roman Polanski, receiving much acclaim from the showbiz community. Perhaps because of this, 100 Hollywood actors signed a petition calling for his charges to be dropped and for him to be allowed to return. His legal troubles persisted, with many new cases and counter-suits. He remains a fugitive, as the US courts require him to appear in person before making decisions.
Rosemary Baby and Pianist are amongst the many great movies that he has made.
'Bitter Moon' is a sarcastic reference to what we commonly refer to as a honeymoon. Nigel and Fiona Dobson, an English couple, are on a Mediterranean cruise heading to India. After seven years of marriage, they need to rediscover the meaning of life. Their reasoning appears quite comical to Mr Singh, a fellow passenger and widower, who is escaping India with his young daughter. The Dobsons' lives seem insignificant compared to the tumultuous and sexually fulfilling relationship of another couple on the same cruise, the sultry Mimi and her wheelchair-bound husband, Oscar. Even though Nigel feels uncomfortable listening to Oscar and Mimi's intimate personal lives, Oscar is determined to recount his story in great detail. To complicate matters further, the sexually deprived Mimi is making advances towards Nigel, exacerbating the Dobsons' already strained marriage.
Responses to this film are mixed. On the one hand, film connoisseurs have praised it highly for being engaging and delightfully entertaining; on the other hand, some label it as disturbing, asserting that Polanski has hit rock bottom. The movie was a commercial failure.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bitter-Moon-.../dp/B001AOHPN0I have been reading about Polanski's brush with the law for years. In 1977, he was charged with multiple charges of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. Even though he made a plea bargain, upon hearing that he might be receiving a jail sentence, he absconded from the US, and till now, he has lived as a fugitive in France. He rarely travels for fear of extradition.
Even before this case, he made headlines in 1969 when the deviant followers of Marilyn Manson embarked on a violent spree, killing Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, who was eight-and-a-half months pregnant.
Polanski's 2002 film 'The Pianist' was well-received by the showbiz world. It went on to win multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Director (Polanski) and Best Actor (Adrian Brody). In 2008, a documentary was created about the life and times of Roman Polanski, receiving much acclaim from the showbiz community. Perhaps because of this, 100 Hollywood actors signed a petition calling for his charges to be dropped and for him to be allowed to return. His legal troubles persisted, with many new cases and counter-suits. He remains a fugitive, as the US courts require him to appear in person before making decisions.
Rosemary Baby and Pianist are amongst the many great movies that he has made.
'Bitter Moon' is a sarcastic reference to what we commonly refer to as a honeymoon. Nigel and Fiona Dobson, an English couple, are on a Mediterranean cruise heading to India. After seven years of marriage, they need to rediscover the meaning of life. Their reasoning appears quite comical to Mr Singh, a fellow passenger and widower, who is escaping India with his young daughter. The Dobsons' lives seem insignificant compared to the tumultuous and sexually fulfilling relationship of another couple on the same cruise, the sultry Mimi and her wheelchair-bound husband, Oscar. Even though Nigel feels uncomfortable listening to Oscar and Mimi's intimate personal lives, Oscar is determined to recount his story in great detail. To complicate matters further, the sexually deprived Mimi is making advances towards Nigel, exacerbating the Dobsons' already strained marriage.
Responses to this film are mixed. On the one hand, film connoisseurs have praised it highly for being engaging and delightfully entertaining; on the other hand, some label it as disturbing, asserting that Polanski has hit rock bottom. The movie was a commercial failure.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 10, 2025
The end justifies the means?
Penguin
Miniseries (8 episodes)
Even though it was supposed to be shot in Gotham City, we do not see a single shot of Batman or any resemblance to his existence in this miniseries. After all, it is a spin-off from Batman 2022. It tells how Penguin turns to become a wealthy mobster that he is. It also serves as a cooling period before the first sequel to the trilogy comes out in 2027. This miniseries helps to maintain the DC Comic fans' interests before the dark-caped one makes his presence again.
The series explores Penguin, aka Oswald Cobb, 's rise to power. Often ridiculed for his physical handicap, Mama's boy decides to fight his tormentors through his devious, twisted mind and planned outbursts. From a disfigured run-around nobody, he becomes a feared gangster. Along the way, he picks up a faithful, quick-thinking sidekick. His nemesis is a lady from a gangster family who Oz killed and pocketed his new designer drug.
At the end of the day, when one is well-heeled, nobody is bothered by how one acquires wealth. He simply slides into high society. Money sanitises everything. Evidence can be manufactured, security can be bought, and one can obtain the best justice money can buy. The end determines the outcome, not the means to reach it.
Colin Farrell delivers an incredible performance as The Penguin. His prosthetics, receding hairline, and distinctive tilt in his walk make him virtually unrecognisable.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Even though it was supposed to be shot in Gotham City, we do not see a single shot of Batman or any resemblance to his existence in this miniseries. After all, it is a spin-off from Batman 2022. It tells how Penguin turns to become a wealthy mobster that he is. It also serves as a cooling period before the first sequel to the trilogy comes out in 2027. This miniseries helps to maintain the DC Comic fans' interests before the dark-caped one makes his presence again.
The series explores Penguin, aka Oswald Cobb, 's rise to power. Often ridiculed for his physical handicap, Mama's boy decides to fight his tormentors through his devious, twisted mind and planned outbursts. From a disfigured run-around nobody, he becomes a feared gangster. Along the way, he picks up a faithful, quick-thinking sidekick. His nemesis is a lady from a gangster family who Oz killed and pocketed his new designer drug.
At the end of the day, when one is well-heeled, nobody is bothered by how one acquires wealth. He simply slides into high society. Money sanitises everything. Evidence can be manufactured, security can be bought, and one can obtain the best justice money can buy. The end determines the outcome, not the means to reach it.
Colin Farrell delivers an incredible performance as The Penguin. His prosthetics, receding hairline, and distinctive tilt in his walk make him virtually unrecognisable.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 7, 2025
An Indian serial killer
Por Thozhil (2023)
Director: Vignesh Raja
https://indianexpress.com/article/ent...-
thozhil-trailer-sarath-kumar-ashok-selvan-starrer-
action-packed-gripping-thriller-8637264/
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
https://indianexpress.com/article/ent...-thozhil-trailer-sarath-kumar-ashok-selvan-starrer-
action-packed-gripping-thriller-8637264/
Thanks to SD for recommending this. SD is a childhood friend with a photographic memory for anything Bollywood when Bollywood was simply known as Hindi cinema. Back in school, during recess, he would attract an audience of friends who would listen as he belted out old Hindi songs and provided detailed backgrounds on the film's actors, music composers, release dates, and even the studios that produced the movies. Even now, he can still rattle off the same information after all these years. However, his interest came to a grinding halt in the 1980s when he felt that Bollywood had lost its charm. These days, SD is into Tamil and Malayalam cinema, which, he claims, are more interesting in storytelling.
This is a Tamil film that faithfully adheres to its intended genre. It is meant to be a thriller about a serial killer, and it remains true to its premise. It is not your usual Kollywood fare. There is romance, but it is barely developed. The songs are kept in the background, and there are certainly no item songs.
The film narrates the story of a series of murders involving young women who are killed similarly, with their hands tied back and their throats slit with a sharp object. After the local police struggle to make any progress, Logathan, a grumpy senior police officer, is called in to solve the case. A rookie officer, fresh out of the Police Academy with top marks, Prakash, is assigned as his deputy.
This sparks a little drama between the senior officer, who believes the young officers are worthless, and the newbie, who endeavours to impress his superior with his theoretical knowledge. The story unfolds slowly, with a solid build-up, before the potential killer is suddenly revealed to the audience. Sarath Babu, the darling of 1980s Tamil cinema, made his final appearance as a serial killer before passing away in the same year the movie was released. But wait for the twist at the end, hinting at a possible sequel.
Good show, 4.3/5.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
February 5, 2025
We strive...
Better Man (2024)
Director: Michael Gracey
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Director: Michael Gracey
The main character, who roams about in a chimpanzee suit, is the first aspect that captures your attention. The other characters do not make a fuss about this. They simply talk, hug, and interact with him as if he were one of their own. The reason is never disclosed, even at the end of the film. We only learn from newspaper interviews later that there is a hidden philosophy behind the setup.
As the title suggests, the film's protagonist is inspired by the life and times of Robbie Williams from Take That. For the uninformed—including many in the intended audience—namely, the non-British—the recurring question is: "Robbie, who?" This same factor contributed to the film's lack of success at the box office.
Anthropomorphically speaking, we have evolved from primates. As we transition from chimpanzees to Homo sapiens, we technically become a 'better man.' Over time, as we move into the future, we aspire to be better than the generation before us. But what do we mean by being a better man? Here is a piece of advice: do not ask your respective spouses. They could provide an endless list of all your shortcomings and how you might improve as a person.
We can begin by taking responsibility for our actions, behaviours, and words. This is an effective strategy for expressing ourselves and improving our communication skills. It is believed that suppressing negative emotions can lead to frequent violent outbursts or destructive behaviours.
This biopic portrays Robbie Williams as a CG-animated chimpanzee, reflecting his feeling of being less evolved than others. This may have stemmed from the self-destructive behaviours he engaged in and the pain he caused to his loved ones. It illustrates how a nobody from a small town was chosen to be part of a boyband. It recounts his struggles growing up with an absent father and his efforts to fit in with the other band members. After enduring a life beset by a whirlwind of drugs and alcohol and causing suffering to those close to him, he ultimately became a better man. He turned his life around and made amends.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
