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A Fantastic Woman – A Review

A Fantastic Woman – A Review

While it is difficult to ascertain whether, historically, transgenders enjoyed a unique place in Indian society, the common belief is that Kings used them as henchmen and were sought after by newly-wed couples for blessings. Whatever their role, it is a fact that with the entry of the British into India, life for the community took a turn for the worse. The British were uneasy with the idea of a third gender and accused the community of perpetuating crime. While newly independent India relaxed laws against transgender people, the media became guilty of stereotyping them. Mocked for their effeminate personalities, they were, and still are, portrayed as beggars and criminals.

Indeed, community stereotyping is a universal phenomenon. Although India has a long way to go before accepting transgenders for who they are, Chile is showing the way in furthering their cause. Director Sebastian Lelio’s ‘A Fantastic Woman’, a movie about a transgender female Marina (played by Daniela Vega) and her struggle against prejudice, is a step in that direction. 

Working as a waitress and club singer in Santiago, Chile’s capital, Marina is in a relationship with an older cis man, Orlando (played by Francisco Reyes). Love is in the air as the couple celebrates Marina’s birthday over a candle-light dinner. As the two embrace and dance, the audience cannot help but soak in the romance. The two seem made for each other and are heading towards a happy future. 

A tragic twist shatters Marina’s happiness when, on the night following the birthday, Orlando dies of an aneurysm. As the grieving Marina tries to come to terms with her loss, she faces the wrath of Orlando’s family. His ex-wife wants Orlando’s car back, his nasty son asks her to vacate the house, and the family forbids her from attending Orlando’s funeral. To make matters worse, the bruises on Orlando’s body make the police suspicious. Was Marina being paid by Orlando for sex work? Maybe the two had got into a fight that ultimately killed Orlando.

Despite the weight of her problems, Marina stays dignified and graceful. She battles her ghosts like a lonely but brave warrior, swimming against the tide of societal prejudice. The scene where she tries to walk straight, resisting the heavy wind blowing against her, accurately captures her courage, dignity, and stoicism in the face of adversity.

Director Sebastian Lelio portrays a never-seen-before aspect of transgender people, which is that of grace. He succeeds in demystifying the community and subverting its association with sordidness. In Marina, the audience discovers a caring, sensitive, and strong transwoman who defies stereotypes. 

I would have liked Sebastian Lelio to explore some more dimensions of Marina’s life. What were her struggles as a child growing up in Chile? While there is a brief mention of her sister and brother-in-law, the movie is silent about her parents. Unfortunately, the movie is too linear in portraying Marina’s life. A multi-dimensional portrayal of a transgender woman that goes beyond platitudes or prejudices would have been ideal. 

Despite its lack of depth, Director Sebastian Lelio’s ‘A Fantastic Woman’ has contributed immensely to the transgender community’s struggle for identity and place in society, becoming the first Chilean movie to win an Oscar. More importantly, the movie helped drive conversations on the transgender question, resulting in the fast-tracking of a gender-identity law allowing transgender individuals older than 14 years to legally change their name and gender, with no requirement for surgery or change in physical appearance. That this took place in a country as traditionally conservative as Chile is an achievement worth celebrating.

MANJUMMEL BOYS REVIEW

Based on a true story, Manjummel Boys portrays the daring rescue of Subhash, a youngster from Manjummel in Kerala, who slips into a hole in the Guna Caves near Kodaikanal. He is part of a group of friends on holiday during the Onam recess. 

As the movie unfolds, one cannot help but be drawn into the group of friends, initially judged for their childishness. Their unconventional behaviour is a testament to their unwavering loyalty towards each other, a theme that resonates and evokes a sense of camaraderie in the audience. 

Childhood and youth are unique. They are periods when the heart is pure, and everything looks possible. The lust for adventure overpowers the wisdom of caution. Manjummel Boys accurately depicts these nuances, forcing you to grow fond of the boys.

The cinematography stands out for its sharpness and accurate framing of shots. Given the precarious geography of the Guna caves, Director Chidambaram deserves applause for realistically recreating the insides of the caves.

Manjummel Boys is also a sad commentary on the police’s ineptitude and incompetence, compelling the audience to curse their lackadaisical attitude.

Manjummel Boys’ most significant achievement is its showcasing of the triumph of the human spirit against all odds. In this context, I remember a common saying, “Tough times do not last. Tough men do”.

VISIT TO BELUR, HALEBID, AND SHRAVANABELAGOLA

Last weekend, I was on a sightseeing tour of Beluru, Halebeedu, and Shravanabelagola. Located in the Hassan district of Karnataka, these towns rose to prominence during the reign of the Hoysala Emperors in the early part of the first millennium and are witness to a slice of medieval Indian history.

We began the tour with a visit to Beluru, a town famous for the Chennakesava Temple (Chenna means Handsome & Kesava is an avatar of Lord Vishnu). The temple was commissioned by the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana as a tribute to Lord Vishnu in 1117 CE. It took one hundred years to construct and use three generations of workers.

The Chennakesava Temple combines fine architecture, exquisite sculpture, and detailed relief work. Its walls are replete with stories from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas. Despite many attacks by Alauddin Khilji’s army, the temple has retained its splendour and is a living embodiment of resilience. 

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Hoysaleshwara twin temple at Halebeedu was also built by King Vishnuvardhana and houses the Hoysaleswara and Santaleswara Shiva Lingas. Like its counterpart in Beluru, it is notable for sculptures, intricate reliefs, detailed friezes, iconography, and inscriptions in North Indian and South Indian scripts.

What the two temples have in exquisiteness, the 58-foot Gomateshwara statue in Shravanabelagola makes up for in size. Dedicated to Baahubali, the son of a Jain Thirthankara, the structure is the world’s largest monolithic statue and one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism.

Thankfully, the weather in Hassan was pleasant. The day we landed, the clouds were on the verge of a cloudburst. Luckily, it did not rain, and as a result, the weather was perfect – neither too warm nor cold. This allowed me to soak in the beauty of Belur, Halebeedu, & Shravanabelagola and appreciate the nuances of their rich history.

Breakfast at Malleswaram

My Sunday began with breakfast at Malleswaram’s Krishna Bhavan. Along with friends at Godrej Woodsman Estate, I was in the mood for authentic Kannada food, and Malleswaram, with its vast number of South Indian restaurants, was the ideal choice.  

We had planned to dine at CTR (Central Tiffin Room), but the long queue of customers discouraged us. After deliberation, we zoned in on Krishna Bhavan; it was close and made equally good food.

Krishna Bhavan is one of Bangalore’s oldest restaurants, famous for Dosas roasted in ghee and served with a dash of butter.  

We ordered a plate each to experience Krishna Bhavan’s culinary magic. Once the dosas arrived, accompanied by chutney and sambar, we wasted no time and got into the act of eating. We relished every morsel, and every bite reinforced Krishna Bhavan’s reputation.

After the first dosa, our minds told us it was time to stop, but our hearts felt otherwise. Deciding to listen to our hearts, we shared a plate of Vada, ‘Green Idly’, and Kesari Baath. 

‘Green Idly’ also happens to be a Krishna Bhavan speciality. It consists of small, fried idlis soaked in green leafy vegetable sauce. Quite unlike the soft idlis that South India is famous for, the frying renders it crisp, and the green sauce, quite strangely, reminds you of chilli chicken. 

Although every item we ordered tasted divine, the Kesari Baath stole the show. Keshri Baath is South India’s equivalent to Halwa. It combines the right amount of sweetness & richness and melts in your mouth like butter. A few amongst us decided to pack some; we were sure our families, especially the children, would enjoy it. 

After finishing a satisfying meal at Krishna Bhavan, we returned to the car. Although we had no alternative but to walk to the car, we realised that walking burnt a part of the calories that we had gained from the rich food. It also assuaged our guilt.  

I bid goodbye to my friends at the car and proceeded to my tabla class nearby. As I walked, I was eager for a repeat of the morning’s breakfast sojourn. Our group rarely spends time outside the badminton court, so a Sunday morning breakfast is an excellent opportunity to bond. After all, what is life without friends and food?

Mysore Diaries – Day 1

As I sit in my hotel room to record my first impressions of Mysore, I am unsure how to begin. Actually, these are not first impressions; my uncle, who loved traveling, visited Kodaikanal or Ooty with us and passed through Mysore often. As a result, I am familiar with tourist spots like the Brindavan Gardens, Krishnaraj Sagar Dam, and the Mysore Palace.

This time, I am with my mother for a conference on food security. She is going to speak on food fortification and its impact on livelihoods. Since the topic does not interest me, I plan to explore Mysore as she goes about lecturing.

But my travel will begin tomorrow, so I cannot say much about the places I am yet to explore. Yet, my ordeal with reaching the Bangalore railway station en route to Mysore this morning is worth mentioning. 

The Shatabdi Express to Mysore was due to leave Bangalore at 10.50 AM. Although my mother and I got ready in time by 9, finding an Uber wasted precious time. It took the app on my phone half an hour to allow a taxi and fifteen more minutes for the driver to pick us up. So we ended up leaving only at 9.45. The heavy traffic (something Bangalore is famous for) forced us to take an alternate route. This, coupled with the fact that the platform from which the train was to leave was unknown to us, made matters worse. And if you thought that was the end of our woes, you are mistaken. Majestic Railway Station, the point at which we were boarding the train, was jam-packed ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s scheduled visit. The BBMP, in a last-minute beautification frenzy, had blocked the entrance to the railway station. This forced passengers like us to disembark much before the station and walk for two hundred meters with luggage in our hands. My mother, aghast at the situation, argued with the taxi driver and local police.

I tried to keep my cool. At least I gave the impression that I was. So, upon reaching the platform, we got on to the nearest coach. We had no choice as the train was to leave any minute. Besides, the internal connection of all compartments made us feel confident. We had to cross seven coaches before we could arrive at ours. This took a while, but when we made it, both mother and son heaved a sigh of relief. 

A Love For Mathematics

I love the cold and ruthless logic of mathematics. Although according to conventional standards I discovered my love for maths late, I have no regrets. There is no right or wrong time to discover one’s passion for a subject.

Till class twelve, mathematics for me was a part of the syllabus. I could not appreciate its finer nuances because I had to devote time to my non-maths coursework. After graduating from school, I began a BSc in mathematics, physics and chemistry. This is the time I reflected on the subtle concepts of maths and science. 

I was diffident about doing maths as I felt my mother had pushed me into it. While she believed that a base in maths and science would serve me well later, I didn’t think so. I believed that one ought to follow one’s passion, which, for me at that time, was not mathematics. I even accused her of parental pressure. The tough combination I had chosen made matters worse. But my mother put up with my rants and urged me to keep trying. 

After a lot of protests, I put my mind to the three subjects. But despite my efforts, I couldn’t clear them all. I had three papers left – Chemistry, Maths 2 and Maths 3. I took a year off to try and complete these three subjects. And that’s when the real fun began.

In that year, I took a deep dive into mathematics by devoting close to seven hours a day to studying the subject. I practised problems at an intensive level to become thorough with the subject.

Regular practice trained me in logical thinking and face problems with a step-by-step approach. I also saw my confidence improve. 

During this time, I also understood why some people describe maths as truth. It is because Mathematics teaches you integrity and trains you to accept things based on facts and evidence. It forces you to question the status quo and take the analytical route to solve problems.

After seven months of rigorous practice, I gave my exams and sailed through all my subjects. I had gotten so fond of maths that I wanted to study it further. But since my marks were poor, I settled for journalism. But I was, and remain, glad that I got a flavour of mathematics in college. And I have my mother to thank for that!

Now, seventeen years down the line, I continue to follow the latest breakthroughs in science and technology. I have also used the pandemic-induced lockdown to refresh my understanding of Calculus, one of the key branches of mathematics. And when my nieces and nephews seek my help with maths problems, my happiness knows no bounds!

The Curious Antique Shop

I live close to my school and walk back home every day after classes. Usually, I take the shortest route on my return. This has often led me to wonder about the shops and people that lie on the other longer routes. I once shared my curiosity with a friend, who said that he knew of a row of antique shops on the way and that they were worth a look. He said that there were other shops too but couldn’t recollect what they sold. His selective memory didn’t surprise me, as I knew of his close bond with antique pieces. His father was an antiquarian with a large collection of antiques at home. Intrigued, I took the opportunity to go by the less-taken road back home yesterday. 

The antique shop had an inconspicuous look with a broken, slanted board. The board had something vague inscribed on it, which I could decipher as ‘Roy’s Antiques’. Piqued, I opened the door and entered.  

I saw rows of animal & human skeletons arranged on the walls. The stuffed zebra, horse, monkey, stag, and deer were intimidating. There was also a jar with a dead anaconda preserved in formalin. It reminded me of my biology teacher, Mr Dawson’s, laboratory in school. I sensed the human skeleton staring hard at me and did my best to remain calm. The other objects inside the shop were equally spooky, and I wished I hadn’t entered.

As I approached the sales counter, an old, frail man greeted me. His toothless smile complemented the antique collection in his shop. He welcomed me and asked if I’d like to buy something. 

I was visiting the shop out of sheer curiosity. I had not planned to buy anything, so I replied by saying I was just a window shopper. He grinned once again and asked me to window-shop to my hearts content. 

Once done with the large display of human and animal skeletons, I bid goodbye to the old shopkeeper and left. I heaved a sigh of relief, as I wasn’t sure if I’d come out in one piece, unlike the antique pieces I had just seen.

As I was walking back home, I remembered that my friend had mentioned not one but many other other such shops on the road. So I looked and found, to my surprise, five antique shops arranged neatly in a row. But having just been to one of them, I hadn’t the guts to enter another. I let them be and hurried back home. 

My Love Letter To Biryani

You are delicious and irresistible. You have countless admirers. It is not surprising that you are the undisputed king of good food. God bless the Mughals for introducing you to India. 

I look forward to Ghafoor aunty’s dishes every year during Ramzan only for you. Chicken, mutton, and rice are your key ingredients. Your best avatar emerges when both cook together in their raw forms. The juices from the meat enter every grain to endow them with a rich flavour.

Most restaurants in Hyderabad have mastered the art of preparing you. But it is only Bawarchi that continues to do justice to your gastronomic potential. When I was in Hyderabad, I would buy a packet of you from Bawarchi on my way home from work on Fridays. 

As a child, I have fond memories of feasting on you with friends whenever I got the chance.

When I covered food festivals as a reporter for TV9, my crew and I ate dinner following the shoot. I remember how my cameramen would ignore everything else to relish you. I don’t blame them because your popularity knows no bounds.

Once I graduated from college, I had to avoid you to keep my weight in check. I missed eating you those years. But I would sometimes cheat to make up for weeks of deprivation.

I always recommend you to people who have never tried you. I am sure you will not disappoint them.

May you continue to tickle taste buds!

Halal Love Story : A Film That Keeps The Faith In Humanity

”Halal Love Story” is a movie about a group of Muslim men who want to make a telefilm to spread the teachings of their Islamic organisation. It captures the constant tension between halal (permissible) and haram (forbidden) and the Muslim community’s struggle with liberal values like democracy and equality. 

There are two movies being played out. One is the main movie and the other is the movie within the main movie that the characters (of the main movie) are attempting to make. 

A genuine creative process is not bound by any limits or rules. It does not fear religious or traditional repercussions. But the movie within Halal Love Story is bound by a halal script. For instance, the lead pair cannot be strangers; the script demands they know each other. It thus follows that the deeply religious Shareef (Indrajith Sukumaran) and his wife Suhara (Grace Antony) are cast in the lead role. The scenes between the two are laced with humour and make for an entertaining watch. The couple also shares some tense moments when Shareef resents Suhara’s superior acting skills, thereby affecting their on-screen chemistry. However, the two make up after Taufeeq (Sharafudheen), who is in charge of the film making, brokers a truce.

Grace Antony is easily the star of the movie, both within and without. She shines as Suhara, the subdued homemaker who blossoms as a fine actor on the sets. Indrajith Sukumaran’s performance as the well-mannered Shareef, who is forced to come to terms with his limitations, deserves applause too.

Other scenes explore the ambiguous definition of Halal and Haram. Raheem (Nazer Karutheni), the leading light of the local branch of the Jamiathu Ikhwan Al-Wathan organization, recruits screenwriter Taufeeq to pen the script. But the duo realises that a perfectly halal director is a rare commodity. They hence settle for Siraj (Joju George) , a non-believer who smokes and drinks. Like Shareef and Suhara, Siraj finds it difficult to keep his messy personal life out of the movie but eventually makes peace. 

Soubin Shahir does a cameo as a sound recordist and is responsible for most of the comedy. He shuts down an entire village, disallowing housewives from washing clothes and forcing people to freeze mid-step when he shouts ‘Silence’ for a perfect take.

Director Zakariya Mohammed has explored a bold theme in Halal Love Story. Firstly, narrating two movies, one within the other, needs skill and acumen. In addition to that, he has made a strong case for a middle ground between tradition and modernity. In the process, he has just tickled the ribs of, without laughing at, the scriptures. I would also prefix the movie with the term ”feel-good” because there are no losers. Everyone, despite their personal issues and ideological biases, evolves and grows in the process of shooting.

Halal Love Story’s storyline was a little too simple, just like the men who embark on making the movie within the movie. But given the challenging theme, it is possible Zakariya did not want to take a risk.

Halal Love Story has a loud and clear message, which is that when tradition and modernity collide, it is humanity that must triumph. 

Heart Needs Rebooting As System Crashes : C U Soon Movie Review

“C U Soon” is a movie about Dubai-based Jimmy (Roshan Mathew) who falls in love with Anu (Darshana Rajendran) after they meet on Tinder. Jimmy proposes to Anu on a video call as his family watches from across the world. His worried mother (MaalaParvathi) asks her nephew Kevin (Fahadh Faasil), a cyber sleuth in the US, to verify Anu’s antecedents.

Just when it seems that the couple is ready to take the next step, a twist emerges with Anu’s disappearance from Jimmy’s home. There is more to it than meets the eye, prompting the Sherlock Holmes in Kevin to come alive. His digital-forensic skills are used to the maximum.

The plot thereafter is predictable. However, the movie’s intelligent use of digital communication devices ensures the audience does not stop paying attention. Suspense is a by-product of the innovation.

The screenplay rests entirely on computer screens and mobile devices. The dialogue comprises of text messages or video chats. At any given point, there are two cameras at work – the one of the image capturing device connecting actors at two ends and the other of the master movie camera. Both complement each other without getting in the other’s way. Only editing of a high standard could have achieved that. 

Additionally, C U Soon captures technology’s tremendous scope in searching, finding and deliberating. One is amazed at the speed and efficiency with which Kevin deciphers the truth with his nimble fingers on the keypad. The film’s extensive use of Google searches, Maps, WhatsApp chats and Hang Outs reminds me of what someone once said, namely, that technology has made “knowing” irrelevant. After watching “C U Soon” I could not agree more.

For millennials familiar with mobile jargon, the title ‘C U Soon’ would make perfect sense and the screenplay seem natural. However, even for those not comfortable with dating apps or social media platforms, the movie manages to be engaging. 

Despite its unimaginative plot, I would commend Mahesh Narayanan for attempting such a challenging genre. The movie was made so that a set of film makers could earn money during the lockdown. Remarkably, they have not disappointed and the audience never feels the lack of sets, travel and exotic locales. Far from being a disadvantage, Social Distancing is used creatively. 

Fahad Faasil’s composure and subtle expressions complement Roshan Mathew’s impulsiveness. The latter’s fly-by-night love affairs remind you of the exuberance of youth. Darshana Rajendran deserves applause for a solid performance.

“C U Soon” is truly a movie meant for the lockdown period. In addition to teasing your brain and making you see film-making in a new light, it reminds you that movies offer a glimmer of hope in challenging times.