A lovely evening to be enamoured by Suhasini Maniratnam and Surveen Chawla‘s impeccable compering skills. To be honest, first impression from the opening ceremony of 47th International Film Festival of India, Goa (IFFI) was mostly that. What immediately took us by surprise was a beautifully lit stage and video carousels that […]
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“The Salesman (Forushande)”… How does a man turn into a cow?
When Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi decides to make a film, the world takes notice. With films like About Elly and A Separation adorning his filmography, the filmmaker’s latest offering The Salesman (Forushande) has been keenly anticipated for the right reasons. Having won the Best Screenplay and Best Actor awards at 69th Cannes Film Festival, the film is currently […]
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‘Lipstick Under My Burkha’ review – Brave film plants a ferocious slap on the face of patriarchy
Rosy – She is the most liberated woman in Alankrita Shrivastava’s confident Lipstick Under My Burkha. We never get to see her. Within a novel called ‘Lipstickwale Sapne’, that is India’s answer to ‘Mills & Boon’, Rosy lives a surreal life – of love, independence and fabulous activity. Kitschy fiction aside, what happens when […]
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L’Avenir (Things To Come) – Perfection, thy name is Isabelle Huppert!
How uneasy will it be if a film expects its powerful lead performer to ‘rescue’ it? That is precisely the case with French filmmaker Mia Hansen-Løve’s inert drama L’Avenir (Things To Come). Helmed by the magnetic Isabelle Huppert, the film comes off as intellectual. Playing a philosophy teacher, Huppert’s Nathalie lives […]
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‘After the Storm’ review – a truthful picture of life and its unsaid miseries
Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Koreeda appears to be a keen observer. It is perhaps in the detailing, he tends to know his characters inside out. Had his actors ever questioned what his lead (Ryota) would be doing on a New Year night, Koreeda would have had a pointed reply. With […]
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“Bacalaureat (Graduation)”… is a clash of ethics and legitimate ambitions!
Set in a gloomy Transylvanian town, Cristian Mungiu’s latest Bacalaureat (Graduation) works on various levels. Following a familiar, universal arc, Mungiu introduces us to Dr. Romeo’s practical ambitions for his daughter being challenged by an unforeseen jolt. With no option than to compromise on the very ethics he taught his […]
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‘Personal Shopper’ review – an unnerving Olivier Assayas thriller
Personal Shopper directed by veteran French filmmaker Olivier Assayas‘ is a psychological thriller. Excepting the lead actor’s profession, the film is about anything but shopping. Barely 5 minutes into the film, Assayas makes his stance clear on what lies ahead. Telling the tale of Maureen who’s a stuck-up staff of […]
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Tschick (Goodbye Berlin) – Fatih Akin’s ode to adolescence
Two teenagers. A stolen lada. No agenda. One helluva road trip with a Richard Clayderman cassette tape springing a bright surprise. Fatih Akin’s Tschick has all trappings of a riotous commercial bromance – just that the protagonists are in their adolescence. Screened at 18th MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, Tschick interestingly is […]
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‘The Bit Player’ review – entering the listless life of a background actor
Okay! I am aware of the Filipino culture and their language – which could be one of the reasons why I happened to be amused by Jeffrey Jeturian’s EKSTRA (The Bit Player) when I caught it at the 6th Bengaluru Film Festival. But, that is not entirely the reason why the […]
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‘Apur Panchali’ review – one of the finest Indian biographical films ever
Ever wondered what the kids of American sitcom “Small Wonder” could have grown up to? Or closer home we have had Master Raju (of Chitchor & Kitaab fame), Baby Naaz (of Boot Polish fame) among several others. Very early in their lives they discovered what limelight is all about and […]