Movies that were literally ‘mind-blowing’
Bollywood, Movies, World Cinema — By Rasik on February 26, 2012 7:16 pmCertain films just leave you dumbfounded. You are left feeling numb. These are films which never lose their charm. No matter how many times you watch them they completely zap you on every count. They reassure or rather increase your love for the movies. The films discussed below did exactly this to me:
Anurag Kashyap
Black Friday- My love for cinema took root primarily after watching this film. Based on the serial bomb blasts in Mumbai in 1993, Black Friday tries to convey how irrational the ‘rationale’ behind the barbaric act was. Directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film can be called a docu-drama and a top class one at that. The movie unfolds as an investigation into the blasts by the Mumbai Police. As a few of the accused are caught, we come to know about the entire modus operandi in flashbacks through them while they are being interrogated by the police. The utter sincerity, detailing and ruthless realism with which the film is made is mind blowing to say the least. Despite its long running time, the taut screenplay and the brilliant acting by practically all the actors grips you and doesn’t let go till the movie finishes. Based on a book by the same name, I feel it is one of those rare occasions where the film adaptation outshines the book.
Head On- This is a romantic film like no other. Yes, a boy and a girl fall in love but here ‘the boy’, ‘the girl’ and also ‘the love’ is simply unparalleled. Sibel(the girl) and Cahit(the boy or rather a middle-aged man) both Turkish immigrants in Germany get married for reasons other than love. Cahit needs somebody to keep his untidy and dirty house in order and Sibel wants to marry any man but only of Turkish origin as her parents would approve and won’t get her forcibly married to somebody of their choice. Also Sibel and Cahit won’t share a sexual relationship but she would get to sleep with anybody she wants. Everything seems to be going smooth post-wedding but just when they begin to fall for each other Cahit’s rowdy behavior leads to events that creates a big void between them. Writer-director Fatih Akin, a Turkish immigrant to Germany hims
elf, structures his film almost as a quintessential Three Act narration. Further, there is also a traditional Turkish band playing folk songs on the banks of the lovely Bosphorous in Istanbul all of which makes you feel that this modern love saga is nothing but an age-old tale. Gross at times, but fascinating nonetheless, Head-On is one film which would certainly remain etched in your mind.
Lebanon- A film made from personal accounts of the director Samuel Maoz this one is a war film based on the 1982 Lebanese invasion by Israel. Amazingly, it is shot entirely from inside a tank. We see the outside world only through a lens through which the aimer of the tank locks in his targets. An anti-war film, Lebanon is pure cinematic brilliance. With words ‘The man is made of steel. A tank is only a piece of iron’ engraved inside it, the film also has an engrossing bit of human drama involving the four members of the tank and also a varied type of visitors. A minimal background score and an awesome sound design elevate the film to an altogether different level. The film makes us feel as if we ourselves are in the tank and can almost smell the sweat, urine and other foul odours in that enclosed armoured vehicle. Samuel Maoz, who was 20 when he was inside this tank during the 1982 war, has with audacity and craft made us live those dreadful moments through the medium of cinema.
A Separation- Mahatama Gandhi said ‘Truth is self-evident’. Iranian Asghar Farhadi’s ‘A Separation’ is like a quest for this self-evident feature of truth. In the film, Nadir and Simin( husband and wife) are going for a divorce as Nadir won’t go with Simin and their daughter to live abroad as his Father is an Alzheimer’s patient and needs his help. Simin decides temporarily to live separately and hence Nadir has to hire a caregiver for his Father who happens to be a pregnant woman. One day when Nadir returns home he finds his Father tied to a bed for a reason which we aren’t told and also isn’t Nadir and thus in anger he fires the caregiver and literally pushes her out of the house. The caregiver in turn accuses Nadir for the death of her baby. With this plot, A Separation makes for a compelling and deeply layered human drama. The director doesn’t take sides and is empathetic of his characters. He touches so many aspects like the incompetence of the Iranian law system, rich-poor divide, misogyny, blind faith in religion etc. with such subtlety that you can’t help but nod in appreciation. Also, astoundingly, the story unfolds like a thriller making us form are own versions of the truth. A Separation is a film with everlasting relevance and merit. Gandhi, who thought quite lowly of cinema, might have changed his mind after giving this film a watch.
Rasik
Cinema, a few years ago, has taken over cricket as my first love. The World Wide Web is to be blamed for that. Deeply in love with present Marathi Cinema.
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Rasik,this is really a good post.I agree Black Friday was super duper film.I remember I got a pirated cd from my friend in June 2005 and I was in complet awe of the film.It did release in Feb 2007. I saw it like thrice in theatres.It was like a wish come true to watch that film on big screen.I loved the film for its realism and super performances by Pankaj Jha,Nowazzudin,Kishore Kadam,Pawan Malhotra,Aditya Srivastava etc.The film was simply outstanding.Havent seen Head on but I think story is quite amazing.
Lebanon is simply outstanding.Its on my rewatch list.
A seperation is good film but not a great film. was told by many that film is outstanding.And I had sky high expectation.May be thats to blame.
BTW dude dont you think your post was very small.you could have included som many films.Shuru hote hi khatam ho gaya.
Actually Kushal I held myself back. I can go on and on about these films and then probably it would have become too long
. Watch Head-On and other Fatih Akin films as well especially Edge of Heaven. He is easily one of my most favourite of the current directors. Surprised to know A Separation didn’t meet your expectations even if they were sky high. And thanks a lot for the comment yaar 
.
sorry for replying late but now will need to catch hold of Fatih Akin films.
I had heard a lot of positive reviews about A separation.I Loved the file no doubt about it but then I discovered Ray’s Apu Trilogy.WAY ahead of Separation.I know I should not compare but I am compelled to.
If you havent seen the Apu Trilogy please do.And I think after seeing it you would share the same opinion
I have seen only Pather Panchali. I like A Separation more than that one but I can’t really say which one is better. Also I had seen Pather Panchali years ago. My taste of cinema has changed by miles since then. Will catch the whole Trilogy soon.
dude..u forgot vijay maurya who played dawood ibrahim in black friday..the similarity was incredible..so was the performance.
Rasik,this is really a good post.I agree Black Friday was super duper film.I remember I got a pirated cd from my friend in June 2005 and I was in complet awe of the film.It did release in Feb 2007. I saw it like thrice in theatres.It was like a wish come true to watch that film on big screen.I loved the film for its realism and super performances by Pankaj Jha,Nowazzudin,Kishore Kadam,Pawan Malhotra,Aditya Srivastava etc.The film was simply outstanding.Havent seen Head on but I think story is quite amazing.
Lebanon is simply outstanding.Its on my rewatch list.
A seperation is good film but not a great film. was told by many that film is outstanding.And I had sky high expectation.May be thats to blame.
BTW dude dont you think your post was very small.you could have included som many films.Shuru hote hi khatam ho gaya.
Rasik,this is really a good post.I agree Black Friday was super duper film.I remember I got a pirated cd from my friend in June 2005 and I was in complet awe of the film.It did release in Feb 2007. I saw it like thrice in theatres.It was like a wish come true to watch that film on big screen.I loved the film for its realism and super performances by Pankaj Jha,Nowazzudin,Kishore Kadam,Pawan Malhotra,Aditya Srivastava etc.The film was simply outstanding.Havent seen Head on but I think story is quite amazing.
Lebanon is simply outstanding.Its on my rewatch list.
A seperation is good film but not a great film. was told by many that film is outstanding.And I had sky high expectation.May be thats to blame.
BTW dude dont you think your post was very small.you could have included som many films.Shuru hote hi khatam ho gaya.
Interesting Feature…So wanna see Head On and Lebanon now! Also Separation…
Please do and let me know how you found them to be. Thanks for the comment
Interesting Feature…So wanna see Head On and Lebanon now! Also Separation…
Please do and let me know how you found them to be. Thanks for the comment
Loved head on. What awesome BGM and photography. Also the story is awesome. Super and a must watch. I also saw Edge of heaven and Soul Kitchen. Loved it. Fatih Akin is awesome director.
Please do and let me know how you found them to be. Thanks for the comment