In the last two weeks in October, I have been on a magical world tour that included the US, France, Italy, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan and India, to mention a few. But as all these countries came to me in London, I only had to travel to London. Before you all wonder if I have gone crazy, let me tell you that the Times BFI 51st London Film Festival made it possible! There were around 184 feature films and 133 short films from 43 countries, shown at various venues in London. The Festival Started on 17 October, with the opening night gala showing David Cronenberg’s ‘Eastern Promises’ and finished on 1 November, with the closing night gala showing Wes Anderson’s ‘The Darjeeling Limited’, a train voyage across India. Few films from the festival are reviewed below and I hope you enjoy the tour as much as I did.
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Julian Schnabel/France.
What does one say after witnessing such brilliance! Perhaps, ‘Thank God for the London Film Festival’, without which I could not have seen this most wonderful French film! Brilliance in performance, acting, photography and technical details were evident through the film, making it totally gripping to the very end. The directorial skill was at its best in the restrain showed at the most crucial moments. The film is based on a true story. J D Bauby, the editor of French Vogue suffered a stroke and the film starts as he comes out of a coma after 20 days. He was diagnosed with a rare ‘locked in syndrome’, which left him with his memory and only the movement of his left eye! With the help of the speech therapist, through the alphabet of blinking, he tells his story which became a best seller.
The alphabet of blinking and the explanation about moving the tongue on the roof of the mouth to improve the movement and swallowing clearly show extensive research, which I am sure would be quite helpful for families in similar situations. It also shows that a stroke can affect anyone, even the most charismatic 43 year old Editor in chief of Vogue. J D Bauby’s flamboyant lifestyle is shown through the film as flash back just to remind the audience what JD Bauby was like before he was committed to the wheelchair. His relationship with his father was most touching! He still had his imagination and memory and his wonderful sense of humour was shown through his thoughts, by a voice over by Mathieu Amalric who stars as Bauby. A great film not to be missed
In Memory of Me:Saverio Costanzo/ Italy
As the film is set in Venice One expects to see at least a bit of this beautiful city. But that was not to be! The camera has eyes for the outside world only when a large ship slips by the window of the seminary. ‘In Memory of me’ is a very intense film that goes into the inner depth of spirituality and the conflicts encountered. The story is about Andrea who is accepted into a Jesuit seminary, isolated in an island. The recruits undergo very strict training to prepare them for the disciplined work that awaits these soldiers of Christ. The rituals are repeated in a methodical fashion everyday and that includes cleaning of the corridors of that magnificent monastic building.
The inmates’ personality is analyzed to such an extent that they start to doubt their own spirituality and whether such mental cruelty is justified. The silence that lingers in the magnificent corridors is mesmerizing, to say the least. We have heard of severe Mother Superiors, but the Father Superior in this film is frightening. Some find this fearsome training unbearable and decide to leave. Andrea too reaches his turning point, but finally realizes that he is made for better things and God has a purpose for him and decides to follow Him. This film is a lesson in itself in how one gives himself to God, and then loose that faith and ultimately regaining the love of God and the faith. A very intense film that makes one think.
Secret Sunshine: Lee Chang-Dong/South Korea
This film tells the story of a woman who moves to her husband’s hometown after he was killed in an accident. Her agony, mental torture, spiritual conflicts and social interactions are portrayed quite well and the actress, Jean Do-Yeon, who plays Lee shin-ae has given a brilliant performance. But somehow, director looses his plot towards the end when he deals with religion and its conflicts and how it affects Lee shin-ae.
The World Unseen: Shamim Sarif /UK-South Africa
Written and directed by Shamim Sarif, ‘The World Unseen’ tells the story of two women in South Africa and the turmoil in their society in the 50s. Miriam (Lisa Ray), a submissive woman who lives with her husband in an isolated village, meets Amina (Sheetal Seth), who is the opposite of Miriam. Amina is quite unconventional and a free spirit who runs a coffee shop in partnership with Jacob. Jacob is black and Shamim has succeeded in showing the problems they encounter in an apartheid South Africa. Miriam meets Amina in the coffee shop and they couldn’t ignore the strong attraction they both felt. Amina was everything Miriam wanted to be, strong willed and independent. Amina volunteered to give driving lessons to Miriam and their suppressed feelings take over. Director has shown great restrain in showing the relationship, but without loosing any of the intensity. They face hostility from the police and Amina’s husband. Amidst all this there is inner conflict and Miriam’s realization that she cannot return to her controlling husband, but decides to do what’s practical. Sheethal’s performance is the backbone of this film that reflects the director’s skill in getting the best out of the actor. Shamim Sarif’s debut attempt shows great promise. A film to watch!