Nam Iruvar (1947)

It honestly felt a little surreal watching a movie that released before Independence. I feel way out of my depth trying to write a "review"- not only am I going through a creative block (for lack of a better term), but also, I just don't know enough about pre-Independence Tamil culture and society to comment on this movie with any conviction or authority. 

I will, however, say that the music is excellent and makes the movie-watching experience that much more enjoyable. The film's political engagement was very obviously pro-nationalism (NOT the contemporary kind please, I can't believe I even have to give this disclaimer god, what a fucking dystopia we are living in) and I personally think this movie should be shown in schools as part of the history curriculum since it brings to life just how ordinary people were engaging with Gandhian values, and the struggle for freedom in general. I definitely would have been more interested in both the movie and the academics, had I been exposed to both contexts at the same time. It's just really stupid and exasperating how Indians are unwilling to use their biggest tool, aka cinema, for the good. For god's sake, IT IS RIGHT THERE. MOVE OUT OF THE BRITISH COLONIAL LEGACY MINDSET AND THINK FOR YOURSELF. USE THOSE BRAINCELLS OMFG I hate everything. 

In conclusion, honoured to be living in this day & age when such an important historical film is readily available for my viewing. Well, not readily, since it's streaming on MUBI after all, but you get my point. And if you don't, I don't really care anyway. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

There is honestly nothing more annoying than a movie that has flashes of being a good movie, but turns out to be a bad one anyway. Not only have you watched a bad film, but you have also been cheated of all hope and it's exhausting, to say the least.  Also, when this movie is a first day first show, you can't help but feel betrayed. Full "I trusted you!" moment only.  The first half was so tedious to sit through, I genuinely thought of leaving after the interval at one point. I didn't though, because Sai Pallavi only made her entry in the second half, and let's face it, she was the real reason for me to go watch it anyway. I mean, Nani was a huge pull factor too, but after Tuck Jagadish (2021) and V (2020), I was a little wary of trusting this man completely. As I should, because look what he made me sit through... again! (I swear to god, if the Nazriya film isn't good, I just might never watch a Nani movie ever again). Back to Pallu though- she is the onl
Read more

Aasai (1995)

My only regret is that I wish I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before watching it. I know I'm 26 years too late to the party, but honestly, not knowing the basic premise would have made things even more scary and messed up, not that there wasn't enough of those sentiments already. But to watch it unfold like the psychotic drama it was on the big screen, while innocently expecting another cute sweet love story featuring foetus Thala... I would give anything to have that experience. I know we love poking fun at Prakash Raj for being the evergreen villain, but it takes an Aasai for one to truly understand why he's earned that reputation. He really brings to life the evil but powerful psychopath who can manipulate people and situations to get what he wants, and I swear I was shaking a little when the movie ended because he is just that good at driving the point home. That's the thing about well-written thrillers- they work excellently as horror movies because you
Read more

Pokiri (2006)

Sairam, thank god I had forgotten the "twist", despite having seen Bhai's Wanted (2009) when it came out. Not only was I majorly zoned out (so much that I don't even remember for sure if I slept for sometime in the middle) but I have also actively tried to erase all memories of it. Which is why I was shocked enough to legit scream when the big twist came along.  From what I have heard about Pokiri , it sounds like some kind of cultural reset. And going by that, I must say that it totally lived up to that hype. Prince Mahesh seems to be at the peak of his career, and it's a performance that is memorable in more ways than one- he really shines through as the cool, stylish hero who outsmarts villains and beats them up. Of course, he needs a solid story and some killer dialogues as well, both of which are amply present here. I loved how understated his commitment dialogue was, especially in comparison to Bhai's exaggeration, the memory of which still gives me war
Read more