Encounters at the end of the world

Encounters at the end of the world (EAEW) is a hypnotic film. It is a philosopher's delight with sublime cinematography and otherworldly music. Those features are apt companion to the incredulous stories of the Antarctica's residents.

To paraphrase one of the residents - All those living on the edge get thrown off the margins at some point and fall into Antarctica. It's a movie about rebels without guns, iconoclasts armed with ideas and theories that are either simply quirky or ahead of their time. But the true trump card is Werner Herzog, the legendary German peddler of dreams. Herzog articulates his thoughts lucidly and his accent adds that tad bit of edge to his ideas. He questions our desire for quest, the impact of race to the top and does it all with a touch of class and enigma. None of his comments are direct or offensive but a lot is said between the lines in that acerbic tone. Although there is a sense of kinetic energy to the film with ample dose of guitar playing, shots of flags waving wildly in the arid landscape and scientists partying in the desert, but the film is primarily a meditative experience. Many minutes are spent in a surreal ice cave and swimming with seals in water holes under ice with lovely fusion music by Henry Kaiser , another heretic from the main land.

Encounters is about Antarctica but not about Penguins. It is a film that you don't ever want to end. And why should it end after all? There is no arc to it. There is no high point or low drama. It is simply a series of observations. Relax and immerse in this top notch art.

Virunga: Conservation is War - A Review

Virunga is a rare gem that concerned citizens around the world should lap up wholeheartedly because it depicts what would have been impossible to access without generous helpings of luck. To begin with, the film maker gives a whole new meaning to the idea of being in the right place at the right time and secondly, persisting with the story in the middle of brutal conflict requires the sort of daredevilry that comes with extreme sports experience which this director had in his prior career. Some stories are just way too important for audience to ignore because they represent the essence of life, they question why we live and bring forth what we should die for. Virunga is one of those stories.

Conservation is THE epic problem to tackle for our post modern industrial society. Virunga movie refers to one of the most crucial and stunningly gorgeous eponymous national parks in the world that is also one of the last 4 resorts for Mountain Gorillas (our closest cousins after Chimps). The beauty captured by the gradual camera movement in panoramic shots alone is worth dying for. This park is cursed by its location on the border of 3 countries marred by deep conflict - Rwanda, DRC and Sudan. Sudanese and DRC rebels have repeatedly sought to occupy the park. Caught in the middle of poachers and rebels are some of the most dedicated and heavily armed park rangers in the world. Having visited National Parks in Tanzania and interacted with rangers and locals, I could grasp and believe their deep affection for the park and importance of its conservation. Wait a second, its not over yet. Add to this fiery cocktail, a shady oil corporation with questionable past seeking to probe for oil and you have the makings of a Hollywood thriller. Only this time, its a moderate budget documentary. This time, its real and its apocalyptic predictions of our planet's demise are not random conspiracy theories but result of scientific observations.

Despite this heady mix of depression inducing drama, its actually a inspiring film primarily due to director's focus on personal value system of the true heroes of the film - The Park Rangers. The music inspires introspection and nostalgia and has continued to haunt me.

The film is part political drama, part military conflict and part call for conservation.
Go Watch it Now on NetFlix.

Baran - Brief Thoughts

Although Baran is a love story at its heart, the movie is largely an intimate portrayal of daily routine of Afghan-Iranian workers at a construction site on the outskirts of Teheran. Although I am no connoisseur of cinema, I feel comfortable claiming that the film depicts, perhaps the most gorgeous shots of something as bland as a construction site. The success of eminent auteur, Majid Majidi lies in taking moments of natural, realistic candor between constructions workers and juxtaposing them with magical, lyrical moments of embryonic love. I hope art lovers don't simply praise the film for its art form relegating the underlying immigrant stories and its social consequences to the back of their mind. That would be sheer waste of Majidi's diligently crafted masterpiece. Migrant workers within India are in the millions, each with a unique story. Although few dedicated journalist have brought their emotions to the mainstream, it is rueful that their stories are only captured by a single Indian film maker in the largest and still burgeoning Indian film industry. Even if one were to consider only the angle of love story, it is sad that despite the deluge of films on love stories, hardly any Indian film weaves one with as much maturity as Baran does.

If you desire moments of ethereal beauty, go watch BARAN (Available on Netflix)

PS: The writer of this blog grew up in India and is writing with Indian audience in mind.

Times and Winds (Bes Vakit) - A Review

A lyrical magical experience

If you ever wanted to be one with the environment, this film offers you a chance. Aptly titled, it embraces all the elements of nature during its 4 segments spread between 5 holy calls to prayer (Azaan). A veritably gorgeous movie, it captures the doubts of childhood and images of splendid Anatolia all at once in several of its many resplendent moments. It unsettles you and leaves your hungry. Hungry for an arc, an ending, some sort of completion. But it offers none. It steadfastly remains a view into the early teen lives of 3 friends bustling with energy amidst adult brutality omnipresent all around them as they go about their daily chores and ends without a definitive confirmation. That absence of sermonizing is the magical, mystical aura of the film. It leaves things unsaid and open to interpretation. That does not mean it does not make a statement. In fact, it packs a punch on difficult social issues as varied as gender roles, generational gap and morality. Although it presents children's hardships and troubles, it is not a pitiful sob story. Instead, it peppers the struggles with bewitching background score, enticing photography and light fun moments from the children's daily sojourns around this remote mountain community.

The shots of children lying dispirited but in unison with their environment are haunting and the comprehensive 360 degree shot from and of the Minarat during Azaan will linger with audience forever.

Disclaimer: 

• If you are infected by fast paced Hollywood cinema bug, this slow meditation on life may not be your cup of tea.
• If you haven't traveled to Turkey, watching this film will make you want to go at once. If you have visited, it is sure to stir desire for yet another soiree. 

A feel good tale that cheers - Viva Cuba - A Review

Children will find this gem as a gentle introduction to social issues like class difference and identity

Do we fleetingly remember the first glimpses of rebellion from our childhood? Have we become too old to give up on our curiosity and wild ideas? If yes, Viva Cuba will take us right back to that time and gently nudges us out of slumber to elicit a quiet chuckle. With a running time of only 80 mins, the film's biggest success is that it remains within itself. On the flip side, it is not a landmark film mostly due to director's reluctance to delve deeper into social issues and bring them to the forefront of a feel good film. Malu and Jorgito, two children on a road adventure allows us access to Cuba's gorgeous landscape from hot and exhausting Havana to a coastal lighthouse at the far end of the tiny country. Both friends have a mutinous streak but on closer observation, one can also notice their class stereotypes demonstrated in various behaviors. Bourgeois lady and daughter more obsessed with vanity than books and industrious Proletariat father more preoccupied with thrashing his child. All in all, the film serves as a lovely introduction to cultural and economic fissures in Cuban society while going on a fun ride with two naughty children played superbly by both actors.

As of June 7th, 2014, film is available on HULU Here

Who owns the jungles and the land? - El Violin - A Review

El Violin is a black and white musical treat with deep political implications

El Violin is not for the faint of heart. It's a gem for those who love slow meditation on topics as varied as music and ambition. A relative short length film imparting photo journalistic quality to its black and white frame, it packs a punch on conflict especially between haves and have-nots of Mexico. The lead actor is a hardy 80 year old musician first and an actor only by chance. His wrinkles are written with decades of experience that light up the screen with emotions. The narrative is primarily presented through interactions between 3 generations of peasant guerrillas and the army personnel with the beautiful Sierra Madre in the background. If you love any one subject from history, photography, music, peasant oppression, you will enjoy the film but if you love all these, the film is going to haunt you for a very long time. Look for a fine cinematic political statement when the old man explains to his grandson the source of conflict -
In the beginning of time , the ancient gods created the earth, the sky, fire, the wind and all the animals; Then they also created man and woman. They all lived in harmony, But one of those Gods was mischievous and he gave mankind envy and ambition. When the other gods found out, they punished the mischievous god.
Then they removed the ambitious people of the earth. But some of them were accident left behind. And then there were more and more and more, and they wanted to own everything. They deceived the good people and little by little, they took away what they owned, until they got everything. They drove them out of their forests. The good people felt that this was not fair. So they turned to the Gods for help. Bu the gods told them to fight on their own that their destiny was to fight. The ambitious people had become powerful so the good people decided to wait. and their land became dark and desolate.
and then?
Then, the good people returned to fight for their land and their forests because it belonged to them. Because their parents had made it for their children and the children of their children and that's what we will do. We will go back. 
When will better times come?
Soon.
When?
One day you will know.