Our minister of environment and forests recently said- “More than 14 species of birds from India are on the verge of extinction due to poaching, excess use of pesticides, harmful chemicals, and loss of habitat. However, the “National Bird” peacock is not currently under the threat of extinction”. This strongly reminds me of a film that had once given me sleepless nights- Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’ Continue reading
Category Archives: Film
Can we afford angry birds?
Picture perfect Kurosawa
Well, Kurosawa was not just perfect. He was picture perfect. Satyajit Ray recalls- “The effect of Rashomon on me was electric. I saw it three times on consecutive days, and wondered each time if there was another film anywhere which gave such sustained and dazzling proof of a director’s command over every aspect of film making.” This article is a tribute on Kurosawa’s 102nd birth anniversary. Continue reading
Posted in Film, Personal, Philosophy
Dreams have no intention, composition or punctuation!
When Kurosawa, aged 84, wanted to make a film on his dreams, people knew it was going to be a masterpiece. The prospect of sitting and being two hours’ worth of a person’s dreams is, on the face of it, not a very pleasing one. One’s dreams properly interest only oneself. Making it worthy is indeed a tough task, which none other than Kurosawa could have accomplished. Dreams, was intended to be Kurosawa’s last film, although he made two more films later. Continue reading
Posted in Culture, Film, Nature, Philosophy
Where is India’s Iron lady?
While Indian political leaders are busy erecting statues deifying them, can a film ever be made which humanizes them? Despite my political differences, the Iron Lady was a treat to watch, I wonder how far is India from producing one of its own. Read my latest article on the NRI.
Posted in Film, Philosophy, Politics
The punctuation of Sanjuro
One of Kurosawa’s greatest punctuational accomplishments lies in the memorable climax of Sanjuro- the splendid final duel between Mifune and Nakadai. They meet outside the city. They face each other, both being fine swordsmen. Swords still in sheaths, they confront each other. There is a 15 seconds of pause, an enormous amount for the climax of the film, which none but Kurosawa could have accomplished! Continue reading
Posted in Film, Technology
सौरभ राय | Sourav Roy 