Archive for the ‘Take 5’ Category
Take 5
This is the second installment of Take 5 and I make a huge jump from Kollywood to World Cinema. This time, the list is – five world cinema directors whom I would like recommend. I haven’t watched all of world cinema, but I am not able to stop myself from doing it now!
#1 Majid Majidi (Iran) – He is a safe bet. His movies are simple, straight from the heart and heart warming. No complicated layered narratives, no symbolisms & no metaphysical elements. ‘Children of Heaven’ is a delicious little refreshing film and you will love children more, after watching it. ‘Colour of Paradise’, is a breathtaking fairy tale kinda experience and it opens up a never seen before paradise – Iran is such an exciting landscape! ‘Baran’ is next on my list but I have been already assured my many people that it is sheer poetry. One of the most noted Iranian directors.
#2 Krzysztof Kieślowski (Poland) – He is the man. Undoubtedly, he is the most influential movie maker of this century. People write loads and loads on him, they discuss his movies rather ‘decipher’ them! They way ended is career with a fitting trilogy (Three Colours) stands as a testimony to his brilliance. I just love the cinematography and the music of his films. His ‘Three Colors – Red’ is one of my all time favourites. The more I read about the movie, I more I admired him! “Double life of Veronique’ was equally compelling and captivating. His themes mostly deal with chances, probabilities and misses. And some of his scenes are really erotic! I am waiting to watch his Decalogue. (You can catch some his movies at in UTV world movies at really odd hours)
#3 Pedro Almodavor (Spain) – The craziest of the lot. The one and only accomplished director of Spain. His characters are usually transdressers, queers, pimps, transgenders, HIV positive nuns and what not? The way he weaves his script around them is really astonishing. Moral and cultural contradictions are his themes. He is the God father of Antonio Banderas and Penelope Curz and he gifted their big tickets to Hollywood through his movies. He is openly Gay and he proclaims ‘Bad Education’ , the Gay thriller, is semi-auto biographical. I liked ‘Talk to Her’, a very complex piece of art. ‘All about my mother’ was quite moving too. ‘Women on the Verge of nervous breakdown’ was not rib tickling but I enjoyed watching it (it won an Oscar!). I thoroughly enjoyed ‘Volver’, the most accessible of his works. The music of his movies simply sizzles.
There is no concrete fourth and fifth, because am not confident of them but their movies are indeed intriguing.
Jean-Pierre Jeunet (France) – His Amelie is my all time favourites, I can watch it anytime. It is refreshing, simple and captivating. But my second pick of his, ‘A very long engagement’ was tiresome.
Ingmar Bergman(Sweden) – You would call me mad if I deny that he is a great director. He is the most celebrated director, but something is not working for me! I feel very stupid and small before the understanding he expects. I liked his ‘Wild Strawberries’, it was easy to understand but I still feel there is something big which I simple don’t get. His ‘Cries and Whispers’ had terrific acting and cinematography but again was incomplete for me.
Abbas Kiarostmi(Iran) – Considered to be the best among Iranian film makers, but err, I lack the patience to sit through his films. ‘Taste of Cherry’ was tiring and boring. I slept half way through ‘The Wind will carry us’. But I liked ‘Ten’ a docu-feature, and was really surprised on knowing the way it was shot.
Fatih Akin(Turkey) – It is too early to include him, but I really liked his ‘Edge of Heaven’. One montage in that movie is enough for me to expect more from him! ‘Head on’ is also discussed in many forums. I have hopes on him.
C U!
Take 5
Srividhya:
One of the rare combinations of beauty and talent, Srividhya lost her star status after her marriage. But she was lucky enough that she went on to play some good roles. The best of the lot is the dignified dance school owner of “Punnagai Mannan”. She infused a lot of credibility and warmth into the characters of the regretful mother in “Dhalapathy” and “Karpoora Mullai”. Take even a damp squid like Vasanth’s “Nee paathi naan paathi”, she shines in the role of the theatre artist. I also liked her as the mother a terminally ill son in “Uyirodu uyiraaga”. The best of her emotional portrayals is of course the moving climax of Fazil’s “Kaadhalukku Mariayadhai”.
Prakash Raj:
He could be the much sought after baddie in South India, but he is an incredible actor. He made a stunning debut as the unapologetic husband who tries to woo his wife’s sister in “Aasai”. “Azhagiya Theeyae” showcases him as a lovable gentleman. Be it the witty funny and damn cool friend in “Mozhi” or the funny villain of “Gilli”, his portrayals are believable and enjoyable. It is unfortunate that he is being type-casted as nasty villains in innumerable films. Wait for “Santhosh Subramaniam” to watch an absolutely fantastic father.
Naaser:
He is one of the most underrated actors of Tamil cinema. That he continuously played some good roles in Kamal’s movies stands a testimony for his acting skills. His debut as a stiff and responsible cop in Mani Ratnam’s “Nayagan” was well noted. His deadly “Maayandi” in “Devar Magan” is memorable. He has got a great timing for comedy which was evident in “Avvai Shanmugi” and “Magalir Mattum”. One of my personal favorites is the adamant father in “Bombay”. Not to forget the possessive husband in “Pavithra”, Nasser has done aplenty of real supporting roles.
Raghuvaran:
Though mostly established as a deadly villain, Raghuvaran was a storehouse of potential. He could easily get away with any role, the selfish son in “Samsaaram adhu minsaaram”, the suspsicous husband in “Puriyaadha pudhir”, the father of an ill child in “Anjali” or the most popular villain of Rajini in “Baadshah”. His roles in “Poo vizhi vaasalilae” and “Bommu kutti ammaavukku” (both by Fazil) were enjoyable. My most favourites are the brother who reserves unconditional love to his sister in “Parthen Rasithen”, and the sweet brother in law of “Run”. His other notable works are “Amarkalam”, “KannukkuL nilavu” and “Mudhalvan”.
Saranya:
The youngest of the lot, Saranya is the latest addition to the pool of supporting actors. Though it is too early to praise her, she had done some commendable job in the three years. She has won the Filmfare for the best supporting actor, continuously for the past three years. Undoubtedly, the affectionate mother of the enigmatic son in “Ram” is her best till date. Though female supporting actors are strictly restricted to mother roles, she was able to give an interesting contrast to her portrayals in “Ram”,”Thavamaai thavamirundu”, and “Emdan Magan”. She was the USP of the climax in this year’s surprise hit “Pidichirukku”. Definitely, a promising actor.
