Water (2005/I)

Director:

Deepa Mehta

Writers:

Anurag Kashyap (dialogue)
Deepa Mehta (writer)

Release Date:

28 April 2006 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

The film examines the plight of a group of widows forced into poverty at a temple in the holy city of Varanasi. It focuses on a relationship between one of the widows, who wants to escape the social restrictions imposed on widows, and a man who is from the highest caste and a follower of Mahatma Gandhi.

Plot Keywords:

Widow | Tradition | Love | Ashram | India

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 10 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Sarala	...	Chuyia
Buddhi Wickrama	...	Baba
Rinsly Weerarathne	...	Chuyia's Husband
Iranganie Serasinghe	...	Mother in Law (as Iranganee Serasinghe)
Hermantha Gamage	...	Barber
Ronica Sajnani	...	Kunti
Manorama	...	Madhumati (as Manorma)
Rishma Malik	...	Snehalata
Meera Biswas	...	Gyanvati
Vidula Javalgekar	...	'Auntie' Patiraji (as Dr. Vidula Javalgekar)
Seema Biswas	...	Shakuntala
Lisa Ray	...	Kalyani
Sanoja Bibile	...	Woman Bather
Dolly Ahluwalia	...	Upset Woman (as Dolly Ahluwalia Tewari)
John Abraham	...	Narayan

Also Known As:

River Moon (Canada: English title) (fake working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving sexual situations, and for brief drug use.

Runtime:

USA:117 min | Canada:114 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Argentina:117 min

Country:

Canada | India

Language:

Hindi

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14A (Ontario) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia) | Australia:M | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Germany:12 | New Zealand:M | India:U | Norway:A | Portugal:M/12 | Argentina:13 | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

Central Province, Sri Lanka

Company:

Deepa Mehta Films

Trivia:

For the role of Chuyia, Mehta auditioned 50 girls.

Goofs:

Continuity: Kalyani's dog appears older in the scene in which it escapes than the next time it is shown.

Quotes:

Bhagavati: God willing she'll reborn as a man.

Movie Connections:

References Pather Panchali (1955)

Soundtrack:

Chan Chan

Visually Appealing, Emotionally Touching, Funny and Witty

I just saw this last night at the TIFF with no expectations (originally didn't even want to see it). But what an enjoyable film this was!!! The dialogue was quite witty, the stars were attractive and gave very believable performances (my friend said that she was so drawn into it that she forgot those people were just acting and weren't really living the life of the characters). The story had the audience empathize with the situation and all those involved, with lightened bits of humour intermixed with sad/dramatic parts throughout.

What captivated me the most was how beautifully filmed each scene was (in that respect, it reminded me of House of Flying Daggers). The stunning cinematography, vivid colours were all so carefully planned. In every frame, I can envision a beautiful photograph which can be composed from it.

The score was also very good and added to the mood of the film.

Go see it if you have the opportunity, you will not be disappointed (oh, might want to bring some Kleenex tho').

oh, and since it was at TIFF, Deepa spoke a few words (she appears to be very down to earth and sincere) and the cast was also present (John Abraham and Lisa Ray are absolutely gorgeous but very modest and subtle). These people did such a fabulous job, but remain so approachable and true. Am so proud of them!!!!