Movie 64 - Yi Yi

Yi Yi (2000)

by

Edward Yang

Seen and written: 28 December 2017

This is the first film of Edward Yang that I am watching but it sure has piqued my interest in his films as well as new-wave Taiwanese films. The film follows a family in Taipei, from a grandmother to an 8 year old boy. As the title says ('Yi' is one in Chinese), the movie shows us people as individual units in the urban world, each living his/her life, fighting own struggles, finding their joys, and trying to make meaning around things happening. The director takes his leisurely pace with the movie, but the flow is seamless with equally lifelike and seamless performances from the lead cast. As humans, when we set our gaze upon something, other things are out of our vison - this simple, yet powerful thought is narrated to us beautifully from the perspective of Yang-Yang, the kid. Edward Yang also holds true to this thought cinematically, with numerous, beautiful shots along mirrors and glass window panes, showing us two sides/two worlds at the same time. 'Yi Yi' is a masterpiece, and becomes one in silence and simplicity.

Movie 63 - Ixcanul

Ixcanul (2015)

by

Jayro Bustamante

Seen and written: 26 December 2017

I can say without a doubt that this is one of the finest films I have watched in recent times. Each character is strong, independent, yet bound to the family or community by traditions and complex, adaptive way of life. The sense of alienation, neglect, and the fact that the lead characters are being taken advantage of because of their linguistic and geographical differences with the majority, are made evident to us through the splendid yet simple narrative language of the film. A big shout-out to the cast for their stellar performance. A must watch.

Movie 62, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum

Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017)

by 

Dileesh Pothan

Movie Seen: 02 July 2017 
(PVR Inorbit, Hyderabad)

Note Written: 03 July 2015

After one of the best film debuts (probably one of the best films of all-time in Malayalam) with 'Maheshinte Prathikaram', everyone was awaiting Dileesh Pothan's next venture. Expectations were running high. To match up to those expectations, also delivering something a notch above shows the dedication and passion of this fabulous director and a team that he swears by. 

I had booked the only seat that was left, it was front row (happens, sometimes). I didn't want to miss any part of the movie so I made sure that I reached an hour early to the mall(the normally kanjoos, bus-riding me took a cab and all). I walked into the auditorium 5 minutes early (to not miss the trailers; also experienced whatever feelings for the national anthem and whatever little patriotism I had sinking down through the mandatory-stand-up anthem session before the screening). It was a relief to find a familiar face sitting next to me (a friend had come as well).

Right from the opening shot of a drama-performance during a temple festival to the last shot of a lead character walking away through a busy street, it's the simplicity of the whole affair that struck me. The story is simple, the characters are people you've seen around you, and the movie is shot in a way that is no way extravagant - the camera follows the characters and the story seamlessly and doesn't take a path of its own to impress the audience. 

Adding to the above said, 'Thondimuthalum Driksaakshiyum' has extremely thought of and well-written dialogues. This doesn't mean that there is any flamboyance involved. There are no punch-lines. But through blink-and-miss dialogues, the movie speaks of topics that the society (the Kerala public image/conscience) in general chooses to give a blink and a miss - subjects of caste, of class, of politics, of identity, of authority, of poverty, of survival, and most importantly, of what constitutes right and wrong. 

Since most part of the movie takes place in a police station, concerning the interrogation of an accused, I was wondering where had all the swearing gone? All those police characters and no one even used a curse even when they were angry and beating the accused. I thought it was because Dileesh Pothan was making a goody-goody film; then came a scene with more than a score of beeps within a minute or so. Oh, how relieved I felt! Then I knew it was not Dileesh Pothan effect, but 'Janamaithri'(people-friendly) police effect.   

Coming to the performances, the people who absolutely stole my hearts were the female lead Nimisha Sajayan (as Sreeja) and the person who played the S.I. character (forgot his name). Brilliant they were, considering it's their first movie venture. Fahadh was a delight to watch; Suraj and Alencier essayed their roles perfectly. The numerous other new faces (especially the police characters) were good as well. I hope this trend of bringing in so many new faces (as we witnessed in 'Angamaly Diaries' as well) continues - there is a lot of untapped potential among us. 

'Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum' is as simple as a mirror turned to our society. If such simplicity can stir the audience and make them throng the screens so much, why do majority filmmakers of today go for embellishments which in no way help the plot? The answers, I think, are pure passion to the medium of cinema and the knowledge and craft of how to tell a story effectively. Way to go, Dileesh. Waiting for your next.