Earth - Unforgettable Favorite

After reading both reviews I connected more with Zarminae Ansari's. C.J.S. Wallia made some interesting points and I learned a little more history, but it seemed there was an agenda present. There is no doubt that the controversial subject matter covered in Mehta's film was super complex. I liked how she chose to express it through the eyes of Lenny. I think Lenny symbolizes the confusion, frustration, and lack of knowing exactly what the future holds for India and it's diverse population at the time of independence from Britain in 1947. One point that Ansari made that I agree with is that "a voyeuristic quality runs throughout the film and draws the audience in." I at times felt myself wondering what was going on in the mind of Lenny during so much turmoil. Her countries new found independence, Papoo's weddding, Shanta's admirers, and the violence that she witnessed. The scene where she was trying to fix her doll and how she gave up in frustration to cry was symbolic of the mess that India was in and there was NO easy fix. The issues this movie deals with will leave you thinking. This was the first Indian movie that I've seen and I really enjoyed it. Enough so that I viewed it twice just to make sure I picked up on everything. The acting was good and I enjoyed the music that was weaved into certain scenes. I'm hoping to see Water and Fire when time allows.

BURNT BY THE SUN...

This film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and a Grand Jury Prize at Cannes. Pretty respectable, right? I thought so enough to watch the movie. I was intrigued by the story of Colonel (war hero, family man) Kotov, his much younger wife Maroussia, and six year-old daughter Nadia in a glimpse of their life on a typical summer afternoon. The family is enjoying time with each other and Maroussia's family at their family homestead and all goes well until a surprise guest shows up. Everything both good and bad that could possibly happen seemed to take place that day. Remember, the time period was 1936 post Russian Revolution and Stalin was at the healm.

A few scenes that I found interesting and worthy of paying attention to:

• Why did Maroussia have a scar on her wrist/arm?
• Who was the driver of the truck and why was he so lost?
• The respect and love shown by Colonel Kotov to both his family and country was admirable and quite touching.
• Why did Demitri choose what he did at the end?

There was a lot of symbolism in this movie and I think I got most of it. I'm sure a few things got by me and that's why I'll watch it again, but done in a very clever way.

I don't want to spoil anything by being to detailed here and would recommend this movie to everyone if time permits.

If anyone else saw the movie, would you agree that the truck driver that I am referring to in my second dot above is symbolic of the chaos and frustration that was taking place in Russia at this time and the mistrust and paranoia that was rampant? I'm curious to know what others think. Thanks - Sam

Test Blog

This is a test blog.