DAY6, IFFK

After not so good experience at Kairali theatre, I thought of spending the day at Kripa theatre. First movie on the list was The Creators by Albert Dupontel. The movie is about a play writer whose previous play was a huge success. He attributes his success to drinking which according to him makes his subconscious mind to bring out the best of plays. After he realizes this isn't the reason, he tries different methods including killing cats to evoke his subconscious. The movie has been dealt in a very humorous way with a cameo from Jesus Christ who comes as a police officer. Fun to watch. Next on the list was the critically acclaimed Mexican movie Battle in Heaven. The movie is about a car driver, Marcos. Marcos is the driver to the General's daughter, Ana. A very confusing movie is what I felt after watching it. Didn't go for any afternoon show. Evening went for an African movie Bamako. I had seen many movies involving court room drama like Rainmaker, The Accused, A Few Good Men etc. but never as this one. This movie is about a hearing happening in an open court in a remote town in Africa. The case is between Africans vs World Bank, IMF and other financial institutions which "helped" them. Even when the court proceedings are going on, other activities of people in and around the court is shown. The court proceedings are aired live through the radio. With some excellent dialogues, this movie is must watch for those who like court room drama and are also concerned with current scenario in the Third-World countries. There's a song in this movie which is quite catchy. I hope OST of this movie is available.
Final movie of the day was Scream of the Ants by Mohsen Makhmalbaf. I had seen the movie The Cyclist by the same director. It was an awful experience. My friends will vouch for that. I saw Scream of the Ants after hearing that it's a very good movie. The movie is about two Iranian couples who comes to India in search of a Complete Man. The movie begins well but it does what it shouldn't: PREACHING. A German yogi explains how different religions comprehend when the male lead says the "world is a shit". It was funny. Highly "philosophical" and "spiritual". Also it's a cliche, portraying Indians the same way as it had been done by many foreign movies. Also I don't understand why the audience applause after every second dialogue. It's so irritating. They must realize and sooner the better that they are watching just a movie not a political debate. So the count is 27 from 6 days.

DAY5, IFFK

After watching 18 movies I realized I haven't still any of the 14 films included in the festival competition list. I thought watching just competitive films today. Started with The Violin. The movie is simply amazing, portraying the struggle of the peasants against the Mexican army. A black & white with a bit of added grains, this is one of the best movie I have seen in the competition till now. The next one was Angel's Fall. Though the movie didn't appeal much to me, I felt I missed a point or two because the movie had a non-linear story structure. Should have watched it more carefully. The third was a Japanese movie Whispering Of Gods. Really pathetic movie to watch. Imagine a scene where when a man pukes, the man standing next to him say "YUMMY". Yuck!!!. The howling from the jam packed audiences at the end made some sense. After watching this movie I felt somewhat uneasy and was having a bit of headache. I waited for my aunt to come to watch the screening of T V Chandran's Aadum Koothu. I waited outside as I had her entry pass. I went inside to check out whether any seat was available. To my horror it was completely occupied even the floors weren't spared. I stood there and saw the felicitation ceremony. Mr. T V Chandran introduced his team viz. cinematographer Madhu Ambatt, Editor Venugopal and others. As he was introducing came in the lead actress Navya Nair. There was howling all around because of her being late. She then apologized for it but certain section didn't spare her and the howling continued for her embarrassment. It was a pity sight. Atleast the audience should have shown some dignity after she had apologized. I walked out of the hall after the felicitation. I went straight to Kalabhavan to watch The Lovers by Louis Malle. Fifteen minutes into the movie, I walked out again because of headache. Later on in the night I went and saw a documentary Yakshagana and a movie Ellipathayam, both by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The movie started well but the end wasn't so satisfactory. So the count is 23 movies in 5 days. Not bad eh!!