A Time to Live A time to Speak

Movierick

My take on cinema.

In last couple of months I have been to theater only twice. And, I have seen two films which are dramatically opposite to each other. Yet, they are connected to each other in a way. They are story narrated of things which are real. They are narrations of events that happen out there in the real world, outside the dark confines of a movie hall. More importantly, they do make you think. Although, the path taken to do so is very different.
 
What we have in "Stanley Ka Dabba" is a potential Oscar winner. Not that we need the Academy of Motion Pictures to certify the master piece that the film is, but I hope this is our official entry this time around. None of the Khans or Kumars or Kapoors has come close to such brilliant form of storytelling in recent past. 

The simplicity with which the film maker has drawn attention to an important societal issue is commendable. There is no forcing the topic on to the audience. Not even a hint about the turn of events that was going to come. Sudden and right there. In fact it is this suddenness that leaves you shaken and stirred as well.

There is also a virtue on display, the inner strength and determination to overcome any obstacle and emerge a winner. Right from the comical game of hide and seek in order to have the meal without sharing it with the teacher to the desire to be the best even if it means overcoming hunger, the film is life lesson #1 "We just don't give up!"

On the other hand, Pyaar ka Punchnaama is a multiplex movie, which can be described as one of the best, if not also the first, guy flick in India. It has no scope of winning an Oscar but it sure is a potential heart winner in every sense. The film is designed to win hearts, of at least 50% of the Indian urban youth.

The movie talks to its target audience in very direct and loud manner. It yells out to the TG. It makes them live their life in those 150 minutes inside the theater. It’s as direct as direct can be. And that’s the endearing part of the movie. Sometimes, the obvious needs a voice and this film provides exactly that.

Consider it as just another film and life will be fine. Tread on to making it a reference of your life and you could have disastrous implications. And at some level I believe, that is where the film scores. It lets you decide of what you want to do with it. The film maker has given you a tool, either you use it laugh your guts out or you decide to use it change your life, is up to you. And in a strange way, this also appeals to the remaining 50% of the audience, who might not be the TG, but would agree to the message of the film, as long as it is just left to introspection and not destruction.

As a student of media and films, I find these two movies real signs of progressive film making in India. Also these films are real example of a strong narration and scripting. Want to know what I mean, check this link.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice one... I did like the films