Some More Elements | Editor's Pen

Hi Friends,

 

I hope you are liking our series on 100 Years Of Indian Cinema. We are having fun writing it. Understanding impact of a film on cinema at large is real deal. This edition we have perhaps the most appreciated Indian film at center stage – Pather Panchali. Ray’s masterpiece has influences likes of Martin Scorsese. That speaks volumes. Please share your opinion about it.

 

Occasionally, we come across reader who want to say a lot of things about the films they but don’t know how to put them in words. We are trying to find something for them at our website. Maybe a small interview sort of thing where they can tell what kind of films they like. Maybe we can have a set template for that. I don’t know. Maybe.

 

Among other news, I have made an experimental film. Know more about it at – http://shwetthefilm.blogspot.in/

 

Thanks

Sujoy

Rog | Musical At Heart | The Critique

I just stumbled across the song, “Maine dil se kaha” on Youtube and few Google searches told me that it’s a Bhatt camp’s murder mystery movie starring Irrfan Kahn and I was…..”WOW !!”

 

The story starts with a super model (llene) being shot dead in her own house. Uday Rathod (Irrfan), an insomniac super cop comes to investigate the case. Is it just a coincidence or most cops are called Rathod in Hindi films (Sarfarosh, Insaan) ? Coming back to the plot, Uday falls in love with the dead girl after seeing her photograph!!  We have seen cops doing routine investigations in thrillers, but this one just stares at victim’s photo, gulps in liquor and makes crime scene his home. One day the girl resurfaces, is he hallucinating? is she back from dead ? if not she, then who was murdered ? who is the murderer ?

 

Sometimes, a good idea can get ruined by inept writing, the twist actually slows down the pace of movie. What could’ve been an edge-of-the-seat thriller loses focus and turns into a confusing love story. As the two-hour mark nears, debutant director Himanshu realizes that the movie should end and the climax is so abrupt, the audience can predict who the killer is.

 

The movie has been made with the idea of depicting how love can be a sickness and director has successfully shredded that motive. I am yet to see Irrfan do bad acting, he is the savior. Ilene is as beautiful as she is expressionless and fails to make an impact through this debut opportunity which you already know, as you have never heard her name before today. Stating supporting cast as horrible would be putting it mildly. The music is awesome and even as I am writing this review, the songs, “maine dil” and “khoobsurat hai who itna” are playing in loop on my laptop. I know songs can be avoided in thrillers but I being a fan will be little biased in this regard.

 

My take – 2/5 (including special points for music and Irrfan)

 

Written By: Neha Jain

Team Shwet On Shwet | Golden Podium

Team TRM had a chat with Cast of Shwet, an experimental feature by Sujoy Ghosh. Some thoughts we collated…

 

How was your personal experience while working in Shwet?

Adhirath: I personally felt very good to be a part of a big project where I got to learn a lot. Being the first full length role for me, it was special and I enjoyed to the core.

Amey: Shwet is my first attempt of acting on screen, so this experience is really a good learning for me. Overall it’s a great experience to work with everyone in team, with discussions and guidance of senior folks.

Gaurav: The best and most enjoyable experience for me was of shooting overnights back to back for 2 nights (which inevitably included memorizing dialogues, rehearsing and performing in front of the camera). Also the experience of the character of an investigating cop and the process of shooting the entire film in one room gave a lot to learn.

 

What, according to you, was the highlight of your character?

Adhirath: The highlight of my character according to me was his ability to convince. The way he puts his point forward and makes people accept it as correct was something I liked a lot and would like to learn and adapt in my personal life as well.

Amey: I have been asked for a role of politician. Being politically neutral person, it was challenging for me study that character. This character has his own perceptions towards issue that is been discussed in this movie. Again, performing a role of person elder than my actual age is another challenge I can say.

Gaurav: Hardworking, diligent, honest and being true to himself were the main traits of this character. He would go out of his way and work relentlessly to find the truth and is also fearless, while doing so.

 

At some point, each character seems to be disillusioned due to the moral ambiguity. What is your opinion about it?

Adhirath: Well, all the characters in the beginning are sure what they want to do. But then as things unfold, it becomes difficult to be firm at your point. That I think was a very interesting part in the plot, that what the character will do now. That I think should keep the viewer gripped.

Amey: When we cannot accept things ethically, it may lead to disappointment. I think the situation in the film makes each character feeling so. From individual character’s perspectives, at some point actual outcome of problem is not matching with expected outcome. In screenplay such situations are handled very efficiently.

Gaurav: Yes they seem to be, after all it is not an easy case that they are discussing upon. Everyone, inside and outside the room, knows what is the truth, so what's left to discuss is mostly related to moral and political obligations which therefore lead to ambiguities.

 

Of the two characters, you didn’t play, which one would have been more challenging to play?

Adhirath: For me I guess playing Abhay would have been difficult. Reasons being the different shades the character has to portray. He is a bit nervous in the beginning and then as the movie goes on he grows on you, and so does his confidence. So portraying both with that ease I think would have been difficult.

Amey: I think the character of “Abhay Dikshit” would have been more challenging to play.

Gaurav: One that of the politician, Naveen Awasthi.

 

What do you think about the current political system. Do we see some hope?

Adhirath: Current political system according to me has hope which it will always have. There are people who want the system to be as clean as possible, but that is not very easy to achieve. Still, with efforts that are being put in, a very good political body on the whole will be formed.

Amey: Well, its not justifiable to make a biased comment on political system based on current happenings. (No doubt national Scams are disgusting. )

If our political system can restrict corruption, half of the problems will be solved. Being citizens of India, we have to ask our leaders about development plans, if they can come up with definite plan and implement that, even if 60 – 70 % success of execution will lead to significant development. Yes, I am hopeful about growth of our country. Doesn’t matter which party rules and which party opposes, motive should be the development of  our country, by all means.

Gaurav: Yes. Some hope is there and should always be there. Because I believe that, "Faith and the act of its upholding are complementary to each other."

 

 

Pather Panchali | 100 Years Of Indian Cinema | Under Lens

Drawing a beautiful painting on a big canvas is something that demands patience, sensibility and skill. In the stated order. Pather Panchali is no less than a beautiful painting. Satyajit Ray’s first film turned out to be a masterpiece which moved filmmakers like Kurosawa. Ray brought neo-realistic cinema from West and adapted it for Indian sensibilities.

 

Pather Panchali, first in the trilogy, is a story of a poor Bengali family in a typical village in West Bengal. Nothing extraordinary happens in their life. Film rarely ventures out of life of a common peasant who is trying hard to feed his family. The children, especially the son – Apu, are the eyes for the audience. They tell the story from their perspective. The voyeurism is beautifully captured by camera. Kurosawa famously said, “I can never forget the excitement in my mind after seeing it.”

 

Pather Panchali received accolades across the globe. Sight & Sound, Time, Cinemaya, The Village Voice, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and Roger Ebert are among many who rate Pather Panchali as one of the best film ever made.   

 

Trivia: The music for Pather Panchali was done by Pandit Ravi Shankar. Majority of the score was done in one night. Interestingly, its rated as one of the finest pieces of BGM in cinema.

Rope | The Critique

Just like Tracy and Kramer, Stewart and Hitchcock formed a brilliant actor-director duo. Rope is a fine example. The ability of Hitchcock to build an intense setup on anything and Stewart’s ability to mold into vulnerable personalities complemented each other very well. Rope is a thriller known its long shots. The film has been edited in such a way that entire film seems to be shot in one continuous go.

 

Brandon and Phillip has killed their friend David to prove their superiority by committing a perfect murder. It intensify the gore of achievement they do this just before a dinner where everyone knows David and are likely to be worried with his absence. The invitees include their guide Rupert who approves of Friedrich Nietzsche philosophy and idea of perfect murder. Walking on tight rope, Brandon and Phillip try to win over the situation. Can they do this?

 

Entire film depends on two things – how story unfolds and how the film is edited. Hitchcock ensured that these two things are well taken care of. Performances were good, though there was hardly anything that could have challenged the actors. James Stewart was usual self. Background music and camerawork are really good. They bring out the thrill live. Direction – Hitchcock. Topic closed.

 

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Rise Of The Age | Editor's Pen

Hi All,

 

Success of Kai Po Che attested the fact that Bollywood is ready to accept more coming of age stories. When Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Wake Up Sid excelled on Box Office, much credit was given to the star-cast, not the genre. Some of the best movies of this genre failed badly on Box Office – Swades and Lakshya and a comparatively shallow but quirky Dil Chahta Hai made it to the ranks.

 

Kai Po Che’s success speaks volumes about Abhishek Kapoor. He worked on perhaps the most hated book by Chetan Bhagat (has anybody read Revolution 2020?) and converted into a little gem. When Hirani did it, he had Aamir to pull the crowds. Abhishek managed without all that glam. Frankly, I will like to see 2 States on screen probably with Deepika in the lead role. It looks custom-made for her.

 

I have been busy with my no-budget indie – Shwet. Will talk about it in next edition along with interview of cast and opinion of some genuine movie freaks.

 

Thanks

Sujoy

The Good Shepherd | The Critique

First thing a viewer should know about this directorial venture of Robert De Niro is that it is not a conventional spy movie. It’s a biopic of a fictional character build around real men and real incidents. It might not give you the thrills, it is closest you can go to life of a real spy. With Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Robert De Niro, William Hurt, Alec Baldwin and Joe Pesci - The Good Shepherd presents an impressive ensemble of actors.

 

Movie is about life of a spy - Edward - and how he progresses in his career. In a pre-World War - II era, Edward is asked to spy on his professor. His knack for spying is noted and he is given a bigger assignment. On personal front, he struggles through a muddle relationships and marries a girl under special circumstances. After initial jerks, he establishes himself. However, his professional life has a haunting shadow on his personal life. How does he survives and rise through the ranks is the impressive story of Edward Wilson played by Matt Damon.

 

Story is interesting however due to lack of drama often fail to keep audience interested. It is one of those movie which could have been great. Actors have done a good job, especially Damon, but the script failed them. Too much is added and in the end the biblical reference used fails to make any impact. A great opportunity thus wasted too some extent. In short, you might like it as a one-time watch but it will hardly have any mark on your memory. Watch it if you want to know how CIA and other spy agency works. Avoid if you want to see a Jason Bourne.

 

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Pyaasa | 100 Years Of Indian Cinema | Under Lens

Across the world Guru Dutt is known as a path breaking filmmaker. Much of all adulation is for two special movies Kaagaz Ke Phool and Pyaasa. Rated amongst the best in Cinema, Pyaasa reinvented plot devices and presented a story that changed how West perceived Indian mainstream cinema. 

 

Vijay is a talented poet who is unable to make a living. His love marries a rich man. A prostitute who is in love with his poetry tries to provide some consolation which he is not able to accept. A typical Devdas-like setting largely makes up for the first half. It’s the second half which makes Pyaasa such a classic. The rich man tries to exploit his talent after he is assumed to be dead. He is lauded. People who shunned him in his early days try to make a legend out of his grave. But he is not dead. Rival to the rich man try to use him as a medium to settle scores. Disgusted with the hypocrisy, Vijay leaves them for his own peace.

 

Pyaasa is a scathing statement on the diabolical ways of world. The contrast between rich and poor, in words and actions, subtly highlights the need of socialism in this country. The influence of market forces on liberal arts is boldly shown. Different relationships, especially the one between Vijay and Gulabo (prostitute), are beautifully explored. The element of disgust fades away slowly and mutual admiration seeps in. Love, in traditional way, is not allowed to influence the narrative as it would have been unrealistic. In the climax, the way Vijay denounces the world, its simply brilliant. Light and sound effects add a heavenly touch to a rather simple scene. No wonder, Pyaasa is rated among the best in World as all-time greatest films.

 

Trivia: Guru Dutt wanted Dileep Kumar to play Vijay but he declined. Pyaasa turned out to be a critical and box-office success rated among the best in cinema. Dileep Kumar also declined Lawrence Of Arabia (role later played by Omar Sharif). Another all-time greatest film. Omar Sharif also got an Oscar nomination.    

 

2013 - Year Around | Eyes Read It

 

2013 is definitely year of sequels, remakes and adaptations– both qualitatively and quantitatively. In 2 months we have seen Race 2, Murder 3 and Kai Po Che. Well, only third one was able to earn some brownie points. Race 2 and Murder 3 hardly raised any emotion.

 

Major Sequels in 2013: Race 2, Murder 3, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Shootout at Wadala, Aashiqui 2, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2, Ragini MMS 2, Krrish 3, Dhoom 3

 

Major Remakes in 2013: Himmatwala, Chashme Buddoor Remake, Zanjeer, Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya

 

Major Adaptations in 2013: Kai Po Che!, Lootera, Ram Leela

 

Among the ones which are yet to be released, Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2, Dhoom 3, Chashme Buddoor Remake and Lootera will be the ones to look out for. 2013, I hope some good surprises are in store.