Kandahar – Movie Review

Kandahar – Movie Review

The best part of Kandahar is that it has been shot so realistically, one doesn’t quite keep in mind that it’s a movie and not a documentary. Not for one moment while watching did I feel any hatred towards anybody, although it succeeds in bringing forth the harsh reality that the people have to face.

The movie is about a Canadian woman of Afghani descent, who wants to return to her country of origin. Her sister, who was left behind when she fled Afghanistan, has threatened to commit suicide when the next eclipse rolls around. In the course of her long, lone journey to Kandahar, the story of people she meets along the way and the difficulties they face, is unravelled. The move explores the appalling condition in which the Afghans live and you feel helplessly frustrated at their plight.

The cinematography is brilliant, but the music could do with some improvement. Also, the Iranian director, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, fails to engage one’s attention as much as he could have — with such a powerful subject he could have definitely done much better. The dialogue delivery is a bit weird. The actors seem very uncomfortable in the language. This has hampered the flow of the script.

Having said this, the screenplay of Kandahar has saved the day for Makhmalbaf. The movie has managed to win awards at film festivals (the ones which matter, I mean) around the world. Definitely worth a watch. But it’s not a popcorn flick, so stay away if you don’t appreciate real art.

RishiO Rating – 2.9/5

Tingya Review – Marathi Movie

Tingya Review – ( Marathi Movie )

 

Tingya is dedicated to the 1,31,040 farmers who committed suicide between 1993 to 2006 – that is 9,360 a year, 780 a month and 26 a day. In this era of globalization who can be luckier than ‘we, the living’.

 

The movie starts off along these powerful lines. It is one of the few works that has revived a massive interest in Marathi Cinema and has made it to this year’s Oscars as an independent entry. It was also competing for the spot of official Indian entry in the Foreign Film category, but that honour eventually went to Taare Zameen Par.

 

The plot is carefully woven around the plight of farmers in Maharashtra, focusing on one family among many that face the brutal and harsh reality of survival. First-time director Mangesh Hadawale tells the touching story of the relationship between Tingya (the protagonist, a young boy) and his pet bull. The animal takes seriously ill, causing the family a lot of hardship as they can neither afford treatment for it nor buy a new one.

 

Tingya’s father decides to sell the bull to a butcher at the village fair, so that another one can be bought to replace it. This angers the young boy, who is deeply attached to it. Till the very end Tingya hopes for a miracle, so that the bull can remain his pet and not be sold to the butcher. But unfortunately, reality strikes hard and Tingya has to contend with the hardships of life.

 

The movie has been brilliantly shot in the deep farmlands of Maharashtra and is rumoured to have been made at the cost of a mere Rs 27 lakh. The director has taken a very bold step in choosing this script. The cinematography, contrary to some critics’ opinions, is extraordinary. Among the actors, Sunil Deo and Sharad Goekar stand out; they are absolutely fabulous. Technically, Tingya could have done a little better, but with a budget like that, hats off to you Mr. Mangesh. I have also heard that many producers refused to finance the movie after reading the script. My sympathy goes out to them, may their souls rest in peace.

 

The movie has won several national and international accolades and in my opinion deserved to represent Indian cinema at the Oscars. Most filmmakers who are inspired by real-life issues tend to lean more towards documentaries. But Tingya is not one of those — don’t miss it. And don’t forget it was competing with Taare Zameen Par, which had a budget of a whopping Rs 50 crore.

 

Rishio Review Meter – 4/5