19th Mumbai Film Festival – Top Picks from the Fest

 

A week of binge watching movies in the theaters battling long lines, hunger pangs and drizzling rains came to an end with the conclusion of the 19^th Mumbai Film Festival. The privilege of watching movies months before they release to watching movies along with the biggest movie stars and attending Q&A with the directors- this has been an unforgettable experience. From the intricate scheduling and rescheduling of the plan for the week to waking up early morning to book seats, it was a hectic week that none of us would exchange for anything in the world.

The feeling of watching a movie at a film festival is starkly different from watching it in a casual theater. When you do not see one single smartphone gleam in the dark for the entire length of the movie or find the profound silence in the theater disturbed only by the deafening applause as the credits roll, it’s surreal. You realize that you are not alone- there are people who care about movies as much as you do, people who would miss everything in their lives to watch their favorite movie. This sense of harmony united by the intangible love for movies is what makes film festivals what they are.

Mumbai Film Festival this year had a stellar lineup- the best films from the most brilliant filmmakers from around the world. There were movies which made me laugh, some which made me cry and some which made me feel everything in between. Some movies had me awestruck by the technical beauty, some left me bewildered by the oddity. Some movies taught me about far off cultures and some helped me care for injustices I have never experienced in my life. It was a magical week at the movies and as I bask in nostalgia, here are some of my top picks from the fest.

mother!

A house in the middle of nowhere is inhabited by a writer and his younger wife. When an unexpected guest in the form of a fan arrives to the house, the writer is oddly hospitable to him, much to the surprise of the wife. As a slew of such guests trickle down, things go from bad to worse leaving the wife in shock and horror.

The film sucks you in the story right from the word go and never lets you slip off its grip. Darren Afronsky is a genius at Psychological thrillers and this time too he blends art and cinema to give one of his most artistic films filled with symbolism.  On the surface of it, it would seem like a misogynistic tale of an uncaring husband who behaves almost like a maniac. It would feel absurd and weird. But there are deeper meanings- about life and birth, about genesis and apocalypse, about sacrifice and salvation. The film makes you question humanity and understand harmony and brotherhood as never before. If you relate to the film like I did, it will knock you off your feet and send you to cinematic heaven. Highly recommended.

Rating- 4.5/5

Call me by your name

                  

Can a film be so sensual and erotic that it arouses you, yet so sensitive and emotional that it makes you cry? Call me by your name is unabashedly sex positive, but is tender enough to let you feel the emotional depth of love. Set ‘somewhere in Italy in 1983’, the film is the story of a precocious 17 year old, Elio (Timothée Chalamet), who loves reading books and playing music. As he waits for ‘summer to end’, he meets Oliver (Armie Hammer), the yearly intern his father hosts for academic research for a period of six weeks. From adolescent urges to sexual tension, things escalate from friendship and a summer romance brews between Elio and Oliver.

“We wasted so many days”, a flustered Elio tells Oliver one night on their balcony. This feeling of looming despair sets the mood of the film. They both know Oliver has to leave after his internship and that they can’t be together, yet they can’t stop falling for each other like two magnets destined to be together. Every kiss feels like a regret, every pleasure like a pain. Summer has never been so devastatingly beautiful.

Adapted from the acclaimed André Aciman novel of the same name, Call me by your name takes you to memories of your first love- the secret glances, the feeling of jealousy, the electric in the air when you are around them, it makes you long and wish for those times. The film is also helped by the credibility in the acting performances by its cast. Timothee Chalamet, as the 17 year adolescent boy has given one of the most strikingly mature and sensitive performances in film history and deserves every honour that will come his way post the film. Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg also play their parts to perfection.

With exquisite cinematography, the film is gorgeous to look at- The golden summer with sun drenched gardens, glorious baths and luscious outdoor lunches are a treat for the eyes. The film is one of the most raw and sensual depictions of first time love- the secret fetishes, awkward first kisses, blazing sex- film touches all the right spots. The exemplary soundtrack is one for the ages- it makes the film transcend barriers and give you goose bumps. As the last frame came up with Sujan Stevens’s ‘Futile Devices’ playing in the background, there were tears in my eyes and I  was transfixed at the screen. This one is a masterpiece.

Rating- 4/5

The Florida project

    

Sean Baker shot to fame with his IPhone shot indie, Tangerine lauded for its raw portrayal of one of the most marginalized communities in America – Transgender sex workers. With Florida project he has tapped into the lives of another marginalized community- poverty stricken families in Florida. What is remarkable is that the film does not indulge in poverty porn but still drives its point home using a devastating contrast shown through the point of view of the children. The kids live in budget motels with their parents/guardians right outside the dream of every child, Disney World, but can never afford to enter the gates.

The ensemble cast has gotten in the skin of their characters with such effortlessness that it’s unbelievable that most of them are acting for the first time. Child actor Brooklynn Prince, as the 5 year old Mooney is the discovery of 2017. She is the soul and heart of the film, taking you on her gleeful adventure ride with bang on expressions and cheekiest dialogues. William Dafoe as the caretaker of the motel is a father figure to the residents and gives a subtle yet moving performance. Bria Vinaite as Halley, the mother to a 5 year old girl is outstanding. From the rebellious angst ridden girl to the companion of her daughter, she is trapped between her own childishness and the responsibility of a child. Her character also raises moral questions on the ethics of raising a child.

The innocence of childhood and the adventures of children is contrasted with the grim realities of life the adults have to face every day in Florida Project. The kids enjoy their shared ice-cream with relish never knowing how their parents are struggling to feed them. From bubblegum purple to strawberry pink, The Florida project is overflowing with colors. It is both a metaphor for the joyful, magical make believe world of the kids who reside there and a contrast to the lives of the people who actually reside in these colorful buildings. Have no doubt, this film is going to be all over the place this Award Season and you cannot afford to miss it.

Rating- 3.5/5

Wonderstruck

Two kids in two different eras secretively run away from their homes to find answers to their questions. When their lives collide in New York City, they must solve the mysterious puzzle that intertwines their lives. While this may sound like a plot borrowed from a Dan brown book, director Todd Haynes (Carol, Far from Heaven) combines the intricate plot with his artistic sensibilities to give the most beautiful film of the fest.

The narrative keeps intercutting between the two eras and we get a glimpse into the changing cultural, geographical and artistical aspects of New York city. From the 1977 blackout to the World fair in New York, the film brings history into its plot making it more relatable and real. Just as with melancholy, Todd Haynes films are also known for their visual beauty and this one is no less. The Cinematography is mesmerizing and especially comes alive in the black and white scenes. Much of the film is sans dialogues and the music is woven beautifully into the narrative. The background score expresses emotions so well that you won’t even miss people speaking.

This is not a perfect film- the plot seems contrived and after a point the frequent ‘fateful’ coincidences seem way too convenient. But the film’s technical superiority overcomes these glitches. More than the stars Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams, the child actors with natural acting and precise comic timing shine in their roles, reminding you of Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, which was adapted from the same author’s work back in 2011.

Wonderstruck is an ode to the innocence of childhood and a dive into nostalgia- bonds of childhood friendship, the relationships across generations, the lost charms of curating are all revisited in a melancholic way. The film transcends you on a thrilling adventure which is just the right concoction of art and cinema.

Rating- 3/5

The Square

       

Imagine the surprise when you enter the theatre to see the serious and thought provoking Palme D’Or winner of 2017 and instead find yourself watching one of the funniest films of the year. The Square, a satirical take on the world of art, follows a curator trying to manage a dysfunctional museum is filled with dark comedy and leaves you in splits. The interview where a man with a disorder keeps shouting expletives at the interviewee, a small boy bullying a full grown man and one where the cleaner sweeps up parts of the gravel exhibit are some of the funniest scenes. I have still not gotten over the last one.

Bizarre is another word strongly associated with the Square- for better or worse, there are strange incidents in the film which haven’t been explained, leaving it to the audience to string them together. There is one particular scene when the mood changes from funny to disturbing in a matter of seconds- making the audience squirm in their seats. The film though overlong, repetitive and not the easiest watch works as a commentary on the hypocrisy of high society and the ludicrousness of today’s publicity attempts. The Square is fun while you are watching it and thought provoking after you are done with it. Isn’t that the way every movie should be?

Rating- 3/5

Mukkabaaz

                     

What happens when the poster boy for small town indie cinema Anurag Kashyap collaborates with the mainstream small town champion Anand Rai? The result is Mukkabaaz, a film that tries to be the next Masaan but ends up becoming a confused cocktail of half concocted ideas. The film is a love story between a mute girl and a boxer but more often than not it tries to be a social commentary on caste, religion, sexism, right wing politics, sports and bureaucracy. More than half a dozen ideas like these are tackled- some comically, some seriously but very few are done justice with resulting in a film that leaves you weary.

There are some redeeming qualities in the movie- starting from the dialogues, which are as rusty as rusty can be. They evoke laughter, disgust, pain exactly as the scene requires. Anurag Kashyap has a keen sense of music and even in this film there are so many wonderful background scores. It ain’t often that you get to hear a Hindi rap song in a mainstream Bollywood film and I can’t wait to download the OST. Acting is another strong point especially by Shivani Singh who plays the mute heroine without letting us feel sorry for her.

Kudos to Anurag Kashyap for taking on the grave political issues and setting it in a contemporary film set in Uttar Pradesh. Just for that one chilling beef scene, you have to see Mukkabaaz.

Rating- 2.5/5

Omerta

                    

Hansal Mehta and Rajkummar Rao reunite for the 4^th time after Shahid, Aligarh and Citylights to bring the story of British born Pakistani, Omar Seikh who left London School of Economics to become a terrorist. His conversion to Jihaad in 1994, the Kandhaar hijacking in 1999, connections to 9/11 and the brutal murder of Wall Street journalist Daniel Pearl, everything is played out like a Wikipedia entry without any subtext. Despite all these the film relies on written notes on the screen to make us understand the narrative.

The film is made well- the look and feel of the film is of a thriller with its riveting sound editing and background score. Rajkummar Rao is sincere in his depiction of the man but never manages to rise above the one note script. We are given a black and white picture of the man, not letting us know his motives, his upbringing and what makes the man behind the terrorist. We are never given a glimpse into his personal relationships- with his parents, wife or friends. By the end of the film the mystery of Omerta remains a mystery.

Rating- 2/5