Editor's Pen: Full On "Between Breaths"

Hi All...

Shahrukh dared and found support of lacs of people standing with him in defiance of the Moral Police who apparently lost their morality as well. So, as a result, couples had special time in confined theatres with their beloved to celebrate love this Valentine watching a beautiful love story... My Name Is Khan.

This edition, we are presenting some love stories and something that will linger in your mind for some good memorable time. I hope that the feat will be well accomplished...

Short Movies are getting a lot of hype these days. We have started an event "BETWEEN BREATHS" and now finally are opening up the timelines for everybody who may be interested...

• Last Date To Submit Video on mail with script (story in written) at the.reel.admin@gmail.com : 30th March 2010
• Prize: Gifts and Goodies with Certificate for three best works; promotion on different forums and "Special Recognition" by Golden Podium.

So be a part of the contest... you never know what may click...

Regards

Sujoy Ghosh

Love is in the air | Under Lens

Firing the Cupid’s firearms, we at TRM figured out some really watchable movies celebrating the feeling of love. Revert with your opinions and more suggestions as well… would love to read them.

From Hollywood:

· 50 First Dates

· Notebook

· Sweet November

· Finding Neverland

· P.S. I Love You


From Bollywood:

· Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi

· Socha Na Tha

· Pyar Ke Side Effects

· Rules- Pyar Ka Superhit Formula

· Dhokha


Beyond the Holly and Bolly:

· Bomarillu (Telugu)

· A Moment To Remember (Korean)

· Classic (Korean)

· A Millionaire’s First Love (Korean)

Death In A Loop… Guru Dutt And Sanjeev Kumar | Under Lens

1964… Guru Dutt died due to an overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol. That time he was involved with K. Asif’s saga Love and God. Sanjeev Kumar replaced Guru Dutt however little he knew that his end will be similar.

Sanjeev Kumar was not able to recover from his personal issues and drank heavily. Something parallel to the life of Guru Dutt. What an irony, Sanjeev Kumar died in 1984 and the movie in which he replaced Guru Dutt was released in 1986. By ’71, even K. Asif was history. Three legends of Indian cinema expired even before the movie that linked them released.

Even Sanjeev Kumar had a pending movie when he left this world. Movie was Professor Ki Padosan. The movie was three-fourth complete when Sanjeev died an early death. Director was confused and finally on suggestion of a senior member of cine-fraternity included an Invisible-character sequence to justify Sanjeev’s obvious absence. Movie bombed as expected.

Life doesn’t give what you want. Guru Dutt had a tormented marriage and Sanjeev Kumar was turned down by the lady he loved so much. Guru Dutt was unlucky as there was no one to support him… not even Waheeda Rahman. Sanjeev Kumar might have been luckier. There was someone who loved him… Sulakshna Pandit. But he turned her down. He didn’t gave his life a chance.

They always say… “marry someone who loves you… not the one whom you love…” but sometimes you don’t hear what you yourself say to the world.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Arth | The Critique

When movies are autobiographical, they create great furors because even in broad daylight everything is not simply bright. There are shadows as well. Arth casted light on shadows that were meant to be in dark only.

“Tum Jo Itna Muskura Rahe Ho…” this song by Jagjit Singh must have pricked Mahesh Bhatt to the core as his affair with Parveen Babi must have shattered the life of his wife who had no mistake. Exemplary music by Jagjit-Chitra laced a beautiful story that can boast of some great performances by Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Raj Kiran and magical ladies- Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi. A great directorial effort by Mahesh Bhatt, this is one of the finest movies of its time.

The story is about a director (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) who needs money and success. He ditches his wife (Shabana Azmi) to live with a star (Smita Patil). The star is extremely moody and needs psychological help. On the contrary, his wife is an extremely balanced lady who knowhow to live life without the support of her estranged husband. She finds a friend in a struggling singer who consequently falls in love with her. However, she maintains a distance.

Finally, should she go with him or will her husband return to her after the delusion of stardom vanishes or should she live an independent and peaceful life? Let the question be unanswered. The Arth i.e. meaning of her life depends on her decision.

The ghazals in this movie are masterpieces. They remain in your memory for long and so does the images of Smita and Shabana at their best. The drunken Shabana scene and raging Smita’s performance are the two highs of the movie. People must appreciate the way movie was made and the honesty of Mahesh Bhatt to portray the suffering of his wife. Watch it… it worth it…

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Philadelphia | Critique

Aren’t we too prejudiced about AIDS and homosexuals? Are we ready to accept them as human beings? This may not be a question to be asked in 2010 but what about 1993? These were no better than being criminal, atleast by a section of society that may be labeled as Homophobic. A movie “Philadelphia” asked the question.

Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington are competing lawyers with a graceful respect for each other. Hanks as Andrew Beckett is on his purple patch when he discovers that he is sick. He is fired and now he wants a compensation for the pink slip, not for his being an underperformer but for his employer’s prejudice against AIDS and homosexuals. He meets Joe (Denzel) who is a homophobic. Though initially reluctant, Joe finally decides to take up the case. And the court case is a brilliant example of the caliber of both the artists. Atleast, this is the best one I saw in my life.

The questions and replies followed by discussion, Joe proved that there was definitely a lot more than Andrew’s incompetency attributing to the unceremonious pink slip. His employer Charles Wheeler (portrayed by Jason Robards) is a homophobic and his attitude and decision needs to be replied in appropriate measure as he is setting a wrong example for the entire society. What will court decide… too easy to guess.

Antonio Banderas as Hank’s screen lover did a fine job. So did Jason Robards. But Denzel and Hanks stole the show. Hanks bagged the best actor Oscar.

Some movies make a difference to the entire world around. Philadelphia is one of them. It asked why are we so hypocrite and why so narrow-minded? Homosexuals and HIV+/AIDS patients are human beings and they deserve humane treatment. These people are amongst us only… Don’t drift them into closets.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh