REVIEW OF MOVIES FROM IFFK

101 Questions (101 Questions)-SIDHARTHA SHIVA

101 Chodyangal (101 Questions)  by the National award  winner of the best debut director Sidhartha Shiva was screened  in the competition category for the 18^th International Film Festival of Kerala. The story focuses on the life of a schoolboy Anilkumar Bokaro hailing from a low class family which is presented with the flavour of village background. His family struggles a lot of hardships and miseries to make both ends meet.

The story gets a new turn with the arrival of a new teacher at his school. He asks the favour of Bokaro to find some queries for his book 101 Questions. The inquisitiveness of his childish innocence finds and formulates questions from the daily walks of his life. His life turns out to be the open book for his doubts. After finishing sixty questions, he asked the teacher for its reward. His extreme poverty prompted him to ask and in turn he received 60 Rs. He promised that he will finish the remaining questions and hand over the book to his teacher. Sir did not encourage him by providing more money. He knows well that Anil is aware of the real worth of money. His final and 101th question becomes the crucial one that made even the teacher answerless. The query was so heart touching that rolled down tears from the eyes of the spectators.

I was really moved by the theme of this movie. It has the warmth of naturality depicted in a serene landscape. The story is portrayed in such a way that it instills suspense in the minds of the viewers about the coming scene. I did not feel that it was the first initiative of a director. He has succeeded in fulfilling the minds of the viewers with expectation and zeal. The huge crowd and the expressive reaction of the esteemed audience proved the real merit of his movie.

Chitrangada-The crowning wish-RITUPARNO GHOSH

Chitrangada the crowning wish penned by the renowned Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh screened under the competition category was really amazing. Rudra, the protagonist of the movie given flesh and blood by Rituparno himself plans to perform a drama entitled Chitrangada on behalf of Indian poet par excellence Rabindranath Tagore’s 150^th birth anniversary. Rudra plays the role of Madan, who helps Arjuna to fall in love with the princess Chitrangada. Partha is a percussionist who wants to join Rudra’s group. During the rehearsal, they get close to each other. Both long to adopt a baby. But the law of the land does not allow two men to adopt a child. Rudra considers becoming a woman in order to be able to do it.  This results in an identity conflict in Rudra and he has a nervous breakdown. He realises the truth that Partha adored only the manliness in him. Finally Rudra talks to the doctor and cancels his transplantation surgery.

Chitrangada which received the special jury award at the 60^th National Film Awards was a feather in the cap of his literary career. He was a director who depicted liberal sexuality both on screen and off it. In this Ghosh played a gay character faced with difficult and life altering choices. Rituparno, a beacon for the LGBT community was not only a loss for the sexually marginalised people but also for the profound admirers of classic cinemas.

Ilo Ilo- ANTHONY CHEN

Ilo Ilo directed by Anthony Chen tells the story of a ten year old obstinate and mischievous boy Jiale. His parents soon hire Terry, a Filpino diplomat maid to take care of Jiale and his pregnant mother. Terry finds very difficult to adjust with the guy as he is very naughty. She looks after the boy in everything- bathing, eating and taking him to school. She is often scolded by his mother for his childish pranks. But she does not take those things to heart as she also has a child whom she has left home. Eventually she wins the trust of Jiale. He becomes so intimate with her.

Owing to some financial difficulties, his parents plan to send Terry back. Jiale could not believe this decision as he finds comfort with her in everything. All his efforts to cancel the decision were in vain. The movie comes to an end with Jiale and parents bidding adieu to Terry. He cuts a small lock of hair from her. He cherishes the stinking smell in it as it was the mark of her presence.

The film, though presented through the mouthpiece of a little boy has the innocence of childish life. The fact which attracted me most was the boy’s caring and sharing attitude towards the maid irrespective of her caste and creed. The writer depicted the bond between Terry and Jiale with utmost sincerity and originality.

Club Sandwich- FERNANDO EIMBCKE

Club Sandwich, a Mexican movie by the writer director Fernando Eimbcke was screened under the competition category. The film was given the award for the best film at the 31^st edition of the Turin Film festival. The film sketches the life of a thirty five year old mother and her fifteen year old boy. Their relationship is so special and their bonding is strong. Throughout the film, we see the boy Hector spreading sun block lotion all over his body. But viewing this from a different perspective, we can analyse the phases undergone by Hector in his life. The story gets a new turn with the arrival of a sixteen year old Jasmin who comes there to stay with her dad. The boy reaches his puberty and evaluates sex from different angles. Finally his mother realises the truth that his son is no more the old baby clinging to her for everything. The passage of biological clock has made alterations in his entire outlook. Throughout the film the sound of whirring fans, chirping birds and waves hitting sand strive to coax the viewers into the relaxed state of a vacationer.

I really liked the background and setting of the movie. The director has successfully portrayed the mother child relationship with all its intensity.

The Rocket- KIM MORDAUNT

The Rocket by Kim Mordaunt is the story of a scrappy ten-year old Ahlo, who wants to get rid of his ill fated destiny. His mother passes away after his birth and he is considered an ill omen especially by his grandmother. His village is displaced to make way for a massive dam. Hence he escapes with his father and grandmother in search of a new home. Along the way, they come across a rocket festival that offers a new beginning for his childish mind. With the help of his new friend Kia and her eccentric uncle, he sets out to build his own rocket. He enters in a rocket contest and proves victorious. He proves his worth amidst all the discouraging words of the people and Jury.

The movie which is presented through the mouthpiece of a little boy shows his sheer perseverance, indomitable intelligence and immense belief in himself. His confidence echoes the words of Paulo Coelho-“if you really yearn for something, the whole universe conspires in achieving it”. The movie is really thrilling and maintains surprise till the last moment. It ends with a note of happiness proving everyone that he is no more a bad omen.

Memories in March- SANJOY NAG

Memories in March directed by Sanjoy Nag tell the story of an art curator based in Delhi. Her son, Sidharth has met with an accident. His mother rushes to Kolkata to spend some days at his home. She meets his friends Sahana and Ornob. Sahana tells everything to Arti about her son’s life. She tries to get all the documents of Sid. He was a successful copywriter who writes everything to his mother that made her think like real life. Albeit she has not seen his flat, his depiction made her familiar with its every nook and cranny.

Arti realises that Sid’s home has a touch of feminity. She questions Sahana whether she has any relationship with him. She confides the incredible reality that he has an affinity towards his colleague Ornob and they were planning for long to live together. Arti reads the message from his cell phone that Sid envisaged a pleasant life with her and Ornob. It was a shocking surprise to her. She finds it difficult to get in touch with Ornob. Later we can see herself softening her approach to him. The movie comes to a close with Arti moving back to Delhi gifting Sahana a dress and Ornob with her own glasses.

The movie has the warmth of a mother’s selfless love towards her child. The recollection of his words makes us feel that he is still alive. His presence is noticeable in everything for a mother who is so intimate to her son. I really like the movie so much as it has the role of Ornob made immortal by the creative Bengali film giant Rituparno Ghosh himself.

Capturing Dad- RYOTA NAKANO

Capturing Dad directed by Ryota Nakano depicts the story of a long divorced mother Sawa, who sends her daughters to have a glance at their father. The two children have no idea about their father. Finally they set off journey to their father dying of cancer. They were unaware of the fact that he has remarried since long back and has a new family. Before they could reach the hospital to see him, their father dies. They capture their dad lifeless. The mini adventure of girls turns out to be a journey of self discovery, reconciliation, growth and love.

The title ‘capturing dad’ is very much relevant to the movie as far as I am concerned. It is the wish of the children to capture their dad and their journey is for that purpose. But it brings forth certain new revelations. The children who have only hearsay about their father ardently like to have a glimpse of him. They were able to materialise their dream only through his death.

The movie is very much touching. Every child has the urge to see his father though living far away. He always has the dream to see him who is very much familiar to him through the portrayal of words. The inquisitiveness of the children makes us think that they represent the ordinary children of divorced mother seen in our own society. The movie has a touch of naturality.

Siddharth- RICHIE METHA

Siddharth directed by Richie Mehta pictures the life of a Zipper fixer Mahendra, who is survived by his wife Suman and two children. In order to earn more money to the family budget, he sends his son Siddharth to Ludhiana, where his brother-in-law finds a job for him with the aid of his relative. It is the time of Diwali. Mahendra and his family get ready to welcome his son. Siddharth who is a great fan of cricket player Dhoni is very much missed by his friends as well. Even after the day of Diwali, Siddharth did not turn up. Mahendra and Suman somehow find the number of the company manager and contact him. On contrary to all their expectations, they were revealed the truth that he has run away from there two weeks back.

Mahendra starts his journey to Ludhiana in pursuit of his son. He comes to talk to his roommate and he tells him that he has vanished one day without his baggage. He sets off his journey to several places. He reaches a place where kidnapped children are usually seen. But his son was not there. He even complaints to certain police stations. At last he calls his father and tells him of Siddharth’s disappearance. But he consoles him by saying that it is God’s wish. Since he has vanished, we can hope that he will come back one day. So he has to go back and take care of his daughter and wife.

The film has a touch of reality. It brings to light the theme of child labour that is rampant all over India. Siddharth’s father is mainly responsible for his disappearance. His profited motivated mind caused eternal misery. I was really moved by the theme of this movie.

Satyanweshi- RITUPARNO GHOSH

Satyanweshi, directed and scripted by the noted Bengali director Rituparno Ghosh screened under the homage category was really a hunt for truth. Rituparno has created his mark in the panorama of Indian cinema. The movie has a charm of creative vigour and inquisitive approach. The story unveils the kingdom of Arunangshu, the ruler of the princely state of Balwantpur. He formulates a wishlist on his death bed. He puts forth certain conditions for his heir, his son Himangshu. The foremost one forbids him from marrying a non-Hindu girl and the latter demands a legitimate heir within three years of his marriage. Bound by his father’s condition of succession, Himangshu is compelled to marry Aloka, an aspiring actress. After the marriage, the young palace librarian Harinath disappears without any trace. This mystery occasions the arrival of the sleuth Bomkesh and his author friend Ajit to Balwantpur. The visit is under the pretext of an invitation for a hunting expedition. During the course of their stay, they unearth many secrets involving the residents of the palace and the topography of Balwantpur. They brought to light the fact that the court physician Kaligathi killed Harinath as he was planning to marry the former’s daughter Leela. She becomes pregnant. Later Himangshu and Aloka adopt the baby. The story Comes to an end with the return journey of Bomkesh and Ajit.

The story entirely wrapped in search of truth was totally inspiring for me. He succeeded in carving out a niche of his own in the field of world cinemas. Audience were brought to the world of inspiration by his creative genius .His movies left a place in the minds of viewers forever.

The Coffin Maker- VEENA BAKSHI

The Coffin Maker directed and scripted by Veena Bakshi focuses on the life of a coffin maker Anton Gomes who does it for a living and how he changes things in his life. The characters were given life by Naseerudin Shah, Randeep Hooda and Ratna Patak Shah. The language used here is Konkani and the three songs are composed in this very language. The movie has close resemblance to Bergson’s ‘seventh seal’.

 The debut movie of Veena Bakshi portrays the life of Anton Gomes admirably. The coffin maker is well aware of his fast approaching death. The symbol of death foretells him of his death. He does everything he can do within the short span of his remaining days. He paints his home, takes his wife for an outing. Everybody looks at him as if something has happened to him. Finally he bids farewell to the worldly life.

I was really touched by the portrayal of Anton Gomes. He has acted out the role extremely well. The movie brings to light the ultimate reality of death that happens in the life of everyone.