Then & Now

I haven't had much to say in this space for a very long time.
From the last time I posted, there have been developments. I have changed cities and countries. Studying in a new place.
Feels good, but sometimes do not understand the consequences of my choices. It seems to me that my ideas and thoughts about my future are going to betray me. But I try and not lose faith. Being cynical is so easy, and it works for a LOT of people, so why am I stuck with optimism?

I had new friends. I don't know a lot of people, but I am trying.

Cinema comes to my rescue. It makes me feel like a different person, it makes me feel that passion with which I used to talk about. I used to love films, analyzing them, deconstructing them.

My energies are focusing on other academic issues, I am not sure which path to take, not that there is a choice as of now, but I will have to make decisions sooner or later.

Frost/Nixon

Frost/Nixon

BRAVOO
Why so? I think it is brilliantly made. Most people can question, yeah so what's the big deal about this film? It's about a guy interviewing a President.
Right.
That is the BIG deal. Okay agreed no one knows David Frost. But we all know Richard Nixon. The only President in the history of America to resign from his post. Phew! Yeah, if you have heard, I hope you have, read, and researched on the Water gate scandal, you would know why Nixon resigned.
About the film, the screenplay is amazing, the main event of the film is--the interview. Everything else is a build up and follow up to it. Micheal Sheen has done an excellent job of playing the famous television host David Frost. From his accent, to his demeanor, simply perfect. Frank Langella is brilliant! His portrayal of Nixon was mind blowing. Its probably the first time I have seen how the President would have reacted and behaved after his resignation from the White House, I haven't gotten the chance to watch Nixon, in which Anthony Hopkins plays the President. What stands out in the film is the attempt to communicate to the audience that the interview was not held to insult Nixon publicly, but to get that one apology from him, which is rightfully owed to the American people. In fact, it is said ( I may disagree with this) he was a great leader, and that is the reason why he was elected to be the Statesman, but his methods were not right. One quote which completely shakes the viewer up was 'I'm saying that when the President does it, that means it's *not* illegal!'
This statement is the point when Frost realises he has caught him, and his interview is a clear success.
The build up is engrossing, how Frost zeroed on his researchers, the reasons researchers give for their passion and commitment towards this project, and just the fact that Frost completely fails to deliver in the first three rounds of interviews, giving Nixon the edge. But a phone call made by the President changes several things psychologically for Frost, who was otherwise drowning in hopelessness and self criticism.
The film has a satisfying ending, Frost gets his job back, gets rich and famous. But for Nixon, he simply realised that his life will be much different now on, it was clear end to his political career.
Must watch. A very gripping film indeed!

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas

Innocence. Love. Friendship. Hatred. Fanaticism. Silence.

I have seen quite a few films based on the Halocaust. Some were magical like 'A Beautiful Life' , while others like ' The Nuremberg Laws' were painful, callous and simply makes the viewer hate the human race. 

But the Boy in the Striped Pyjamas did only one thing. it threw light on the simplest emotion, that of happiness. The interaction between two kids, in such a hostile situation just makes one wonder what the hell is wrong with people! The Jewish kid named Shmol does not realise he is in a concentration camp, and Bruno, son of a Nazi soldier is clueless that his father is responsible for slaughering thousands of Jews. 

Bruno lives in Berlin with his mother, father and sister. He is informed by his mother that they will be moving to the countryside due to his father's duty to the German government. Bruno is a happy, cheerful and typical eight year old, who loves to play with his friends. He is upset on knowing he has to leave his friends. 

In their countryside home, Bruno finds it extremely difficult to pass time. Unlike Berlin, there are no friends to play with. In fact there is no school to attend, Bruno's father has appointed a tutor, who only teaches history and current affairs. The kids are taught from a propogandist perspective. All Jews are evil. Every Aryan should fight for the Fatherland. 

Its amazing to see the amount of conviction the tutor is teaching the kids about these pseudo facts.

Bruno's sister on the other hand, has disposed all her dolls, and replaced them with facist nazi poster. Their mother is shocked to observe such drastic changes in her daughter, and is slightly concerned, but doesn't object too strongly. Until one day she finds out, the stench coming from the nearby chimneys is from the gas chambers used to kill hundreds of Jews. 

Bruno's mother goes into depression, she is completely shattered on discovering what actually her husband is doing.

Bruno's boredom drives him to explore his surroundings. He is an eight year old, who is not content with a tyre swing in his garden, he wants friends, other eight year olds to play with.

He comes across Shmol. Bruno is completely taken aback by this name, according to him , there is no one called 'Shmol'. Shmol is kinda offended and retorts in the same manner. The warmth, innocence, curiosity spills out in these scenes. It is wonderful to see the kids interact completely unaware of the circumstances around them.

The End. I have never seen such an ending, and have never been more speechless before. When the credits started rolling. I was crying. I believe every viewer will come close to tears and feel their heart sink deeper and deeper.