Why I like Art films

Sankara

1. They are just different and outwardly expressive.
2. The films are often subtle in their meaning and can be interpreted in personal ways.
3. They offer valuable insights to mirror the dreary nature of everyday life.
4. They offer different fare for the jaded cynic of typical Hollywood movies, where cause and effect are very closely linked.
5. You don't feel bad about watching an Art movie, because it has changed you somewhat: it plays with all your emotions and subconciousness while the film rolls. If it doesn't it's not a great film, or that you chose one in which you weren't able to relate with..

I will be watching Sankara, the opening film from Sri Lanka, on the 18th April @ Lido. I'd like to see how a celibate deals with his awakened repressed lust; and what happens when he is no longer in control of the situation. For more information, visit: http://filmfest.org.sg . Tickets are very much sold out already.

Actually I'd like to watch Solos, the Singapore film. Just that I haven't found a companion for the event.. It's just so disturbing, and curiousity gets the better of you.




Solos


I watched The Return (2003/04) yesterday on DVD @ Temasek Poly Library. It was stated to be a psychological thriller - I admit I very much felt the suspense. But I also carried away from the movie, the anguish of the characters after being marvellously played out by those boys.



Vanya, "fishing in the thunderstorm"

(Spoilers below)

Vanya and Gerin are brothers that play together in their childhood in the cold, grey hinterlands of Russia. The film starts out by giving depth to the characters. Gerin being the elder brother, is adventurous and more mature than Vanya, the younger boy, who is afraid to trust and afraid of heights. Both boys start out on Sunday, and a series of events are set in motion, cumulating in their ultimate maturity at the end of the week.

On Monday, they run home to find that their typical Granny-Mama household has found the sleeping presence of a new man. Mama tells the children that both that their long-lost Papa of 12 years is back. This Mama does not smile, or display much joy at the prospect. Instead the atmosphere in the family is cold and grey as it has always been. In the stifling presence of Papa, the household is restored to patriachial command, as shown by Papa pouring wines/vodka for everyone in the family, and everyone waiting for his permission to start eating.

The next day, Papa brings the two boys out for a two-day fishing trip. The Papa, I believe, wants to mould his sons into grownup men. First of all, he drives the car quietly, without a word. As man of the house, he demands obedience and total respect from his boys. He expects Vanya to address him as Papa. He makes himself seem unreasonable to the boys, by inflicting violence on Gerin for disobedience or incompetence. Or like punishing Vanya for whining, by leaving him in a thunderstorm. The father appeared to be a nasty piece of work, although I believe his intentions had been good.. To train his sons to be strong and survive the hardships of the world.

Over the week, Vanya had doubts whether Papa was indeed their father and whether he was worthy to be so, while Gerin embraced Papa. They cross the sea, labouring at the oars to arrive at a deserted island. So after being abused again, Vanya prophesises to Gerin that, "If he touches me again, I'll swear I'll kill him." The next morning, he steals Papa's knife, and I'm kept in the suspense all this while - thinking about the father who must die.

In a violent and dramatic confronation between the boys and their father, the young Vanya shouts at Papa, "Why did you come back? You don't need us. We don't need you." A chase to the light-tower, the abused Gerin chases after the father that throttled him. Vanya threatens to kill himself by jumping down the tower. In the helplessness of the situation, we all know who died suddenly amidst all the chaos.

The boys were faced with independence, in the island on their own. A sudden change of mindset. Of necessity and self-responsibility. Gerin looked after his younger brother. We have to bury the dead. Some of the training that Papa taught them were put into good use. By Sunday, Papa had taught them a hell of a lesson, and led them part of the way to manhood. Savageness is necessary to forge a piece of iron, to put it into good use.

The director of the movie says he's keen to bring out Russian Mysticism in the film, which I believe is something that goes like "hardships strengthen people" with imagery like a sea crossing being a big voyage in life. I find that the Russian breed is indeed one of its kind, growing in a savage, cold and grey landscape throughout history.