Neelathamara - നീലത്താമര

Saw Neelathamara teaser today in Asianet News. A short interview with al Jose was also there.
The Yousafali Kecheri version of Neelathamara was never in the favorite movies list. I personally feel that the screenplay will be placed in the bottom of list of scripts written by the maestro M T. Naturally, the remaking of Neelathamara made my eyebrows rise.

When I heard that the director is Lal Jose and MT will make relevant changes in the script and characterization, I became curious. When I heard the song “Neelavilochananaayi” and saw its sequences, I felt the charm. The song has few beautiful reactions of Archana. Even the posters are also looking impressive. Anyways, let us wait till 27th to see the native girl who prays to see the blossom which is believed to answer the questions from a worried mind – hope Bangalore release is there.

While searching through channels, NDTV Good times gave me a surprise. The program “Picture Perfect” was showing the shooting techniques. The discussions were happening in the sets of “Vaamanan”, a tamil movie directed by I Ahmed. The director and Cameraman Arvind Krishna were discussing on the cinematic challenges, techniques and other related information which I found very useful. For any thorough movie observer or person interested in film making, this program will be a great watch! Looking forward to see much more episodes of the program….

That’s all for the day… good night.

Labels: Neelathamara, Drishyan, Cinema, ദൃശ്യന്‍, നീലത്താമര

Song of Sparrows - In search of hope

Yesterday I reached home late ... I was feeling full, so managed with a sandwich which i took as parcel from office... Home is a bad place without your family... I cannot think it without books or movies either....

Coming to the point... while browsing through channels, I caught up with 'Song of Sparrows' in UTV World movies at 10:30 PM. I'd heard about the movie earlier, but could not manage to watch it. Rarely i get opportunity to watch Iranian movies, the struggle and passion with which they make movies has always fascinated me.... 'The Apple' is one such movie which I’d loved so much, even its screen play has been kept in my personal drive.

The story of “Song of sparrows” is about Karim, a worker in an Ostrich farm. Bad time, one of the Ostriches manages to escape from the farm, making Karim responsible. He searches the bird in deserts, farm lands, vacant lands and where not. Failing in his attempt, Karim gets fired from his job. With his old bike, he goes to the nearby city. In a city where common man use bike taxies for commutation, Karim finds a new way of living. The later part of the story gives glimpses of Karim’s role as a husband and father, and the relationships in and around his family.

The movie directed by Majid Majidi doesn’t have a great story, but it has moments... it has the power to drag you into the mind of the main characters and feel for them... The movie has been filmed beautifully, realistically and the characterization is the winning point. Karim, played by Naji , is the USP of the movie. His eyes and expressions have Karim written all over. See one scene where he dresses like an ostrich and searches for the missed one. And the other scene where he goes to a home to gets back the blue painted door which his wife Narges has donated. One another impressive scene is where Karim's son and other kids tries to put the fishes (which they were longing to posses - their hope) back into a broken bucket.

The movie has several symbols of hope. The ostrich comes out as a symbol of his hope – the hope that Karim can meet his family’s needs… And that is what the movie communicates – search for your hope… one day it will find you! It should be noted that the most of the symbols of hope are related to nature, which gives another layer of hope on man's survival with care for nature.

Worth many watches… given a chance, don’t miss the “Song of sparrows” – I’m sure that it will enchant and embrace you with a smile.

Labels: Song of Sparrows, Drishyan, Cinema, ദൃശ്യന്‍, സോംഗ് ഓഫ് സ്പാരോസ്

Iruttinte Aathmaavu and other movies

It has been long time since I've written in Cinemaoutlook. Earam was the last movie... My views on Pazhassiraja and Swa Le was expressed in Cinemakazhcha. Both were impressive in its own ways.

My brother saw Seethakalyanam last day... Due to his less tolerance levels he could not watch it completely, he has to follow his friends' way to exit. Rajeevkumar was really promising, but last few attempts have been disappointing...

Watched 'Iruttinte Aathmavu' yesterday. I'd read the short story earlier, but the silver screen adpatation was really good. Considering the period it was taken and the facilities available that time, P Bhaskaran and team had done a wonderful Job. Mooladhanam was one film which made me impressed about P Bhaskaran's directorial skills. One shot which i still remember was one panned over a small window of the jail cell where the activists were locked. Now when people exclaims about 'innovative' camera angles Amal neerad and Ram Gopal Varma follows, i use to remember that shot... 'Iruttinte Aathmavu' also has glimpses of such technical brilliance... the unconventional camera angles (at that time), realistic lighting and non-dramatic performaces (especially from Prem Nazeer, who was never considered to be a good actor), all adds up to the pros...

more movies to watch....