Cinema Paradiso

Going to the movies is one of the greatest pleasures in life. As far back as I can remember, my first big screen experience was one of the greatest films made in the history of Indian cinema, Chemmeen ( Prawn) in Malayalam which went on to  win the Indian President's gold medal for the best film in 1965. It was also screened at a number of international film fests. It was re-released  at the Sarita-Savita-Sangeeta triple screen movie complex in Ernakulam in the late 80s when my uncle said " come lets go for a movie". I had seen a few movies in the movie hall before this one but somehow I just cannot recollect any of them.

Adapted from Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai's classic novel, Chemmeen is set in the backdrop of a fishing community and narrates the doomed life and love of Karuthamma (Sheela), Pareekutty (Madhu) and Palani (Sathyan). Directed by Ramu Kariat, this film had some of the giants of Indian cinema among its crew. Hrishikesh Mukherjee was the editor, Salil Chowdhury composed the music, Vayalar Rama Varma penned the lyrics and Manna Dey sang one of the saddest songs (Manasa Mainee Varu) ever composed for the cinema (which is still THE theme song of heartbroken lovers in Kerala). Marcus Bentley helmed the camera which captured the beauty of the sea, the shore, the fisherman's hamlet, and the pathos of life on the sea shores to the fullest. The still photographs were clicked by ace lensman Sivan, father of Santosh Sivan.

This film also boasts of one of the most brilliant and effective closing shots where both Karuthamma and Pareekutty are lying dead on the shore drowned in love while a dead shark is also washed ashore symbolising the death of Palani who gets devoured by the sea.  Late Kottarakara Sreedharan Nair also deserves a special mention for his portrayal of Chembankunju, a miserly fisherman whose sole aim in life is to own a fishing boat and net but is gradually driven insane by his tragic life and deeds. A sequel to Chemmeen, Thirakalkkappuram (beyond the waves) was made in 1998 with Suresh Gopi and Manju Warrier but got a luke warm response from viewers and critics. 

Through this blog I shall try to convey my personal views on some of the movies that I have seen so far. Let's see if they had something extra to convey to us or if they were just the perfect excuse for someone to write off his shitload of black money. 

Please feel free to post your comments.

Yours Cinematically

B.