Last weekend, I went to the International Film Festival of Kerala. Though the festival had started on last Friday itself, I was able to get my delegate pass only on Saturday, thanks to the hectic work. The movies were being screened from morning 9:30, but who is going to wake up this much early and that too on a Saturday? Finally I was able to make it to the 3:30 noon show.
I saw a total of four films (only!) in two days. My Marlon and Brando, Firaaq, Refugee and Kanchivaram, out of which except Refugee other three were really touching.
My Perceptions about the movies I saw in IFFK
My Marlon and Brando:
[Website]
A road movie. Romance story mixed with recent the Iraq war issues. The girl who is an actress in Turkish separated from her lover who also an actor in Iraq. Now she wants to be with him, so she starts her journey to cross the border to be with her lover. Meanwhile, US military starts invading Iraq and the restriction starts at borders. The movie is full of the struggle the lady faces through out her journey. And finally with a tragic climax the movie ends.
What I liked from this movie is the way they told the story and the cinematography. The screenplay was good and well framed. As this is a road movie with many lands to cross, the visuals has to be good to convey what exactly the director wants to say to the viewer and the Camera just did that. Nice work.
Firaaq
[Website]
This is a Indian movie based on the Gujarat riots, directed by a well-known personality Nandita Das. The movie outlines the after effects of the 2002 Gujarat riots. Very touching movie.
Before screening Firaaq, Nandita came to the stage and gave a small talk about the film. She told
‘The objective of this film is not to give a solution but to show the way to the solution’.
Very true. We, the people have to find the solution for our peace. It’s not going to happen itself, except we change our mindset about the community. And her final touch is
If you like the movie, spread the word. Otherwise keep quite.
And Now I am spreading the word.
Kanchivaram
[website]
Tamil movie, directed by Priyadharshan, portrays the life of weavers in Tamilnadu through the story of Vengadam – a weaver in Kanchivaram. Though the weavers are weaving high quality and expensive silk saris, there were never able to buy one silk saree for them. The money they earn from weaving saris is so low that they could not afford a silk saree. Vengadam’s dream is to gift her daughter a silk saree for her wedding. For this dream, he steals a silk thread from the Lord everyday and weaves a saree at his home. As the time passes, Vengadam is turning into a communist activist, fighting for salary raise and other benefits of weavers. Finally one day he get caught for stealing the silk and sent to jail. The movie ends with wheter Vengadam was able to achieve his dream of waving a silk saree for this daughter.
In Priyadharshan movies, cinematography is always a note worthy and this movies is not an exception. Thiru’s camera stats telling the story from the first frame itself. As this is a period film, the light, color and the environment all has to be go well with the time and Thiru was able to make this exceptionally good. Hats off to him. Apart from Thiru, there is our hero Prakash Raj. No introduction needed, he exactly did what is needed from him. A good effort. No wonder when the movie was screened, the theater was full packed and was able to maintain that silence till the end of the movie. Finally the claps told the success of the director in conveying the messages to people.
Refugee
Nothing much to talk about this movie. Somehow, I did not like this one, may be because of the over talking characters or the way the story was told. I feel something is missing in this movie.
So, that’s it. Only 4 movies – a less number though but a good experience. Hope to see few more movies if I get time in this week, otherwise waiting for next IFFK.
