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GrimSage1123
Reviews
Minus 31: The Nagpur Files (2023)
A story that knows the pulse of the audience
Saw this one on Prime, and it exceeded my expectations.
Other than the fact that this film is a murder mystery with COVID in its backdrop, I really liked how it deals with the mundaneness of life.
For instance, period. The cop has missed her cycle and the stress of it is pretty evident. You are literally confronted with a blood stain. I haven't seen a Bollywood movie do that. The intriguing bit is how this cop's character starts relating with the missing girl over this seemingly trivial issue. Also, the father-daughter relationship is too hard hitting.
Obviously, there were some gaping holes - like the victim's wife. Didn't understand her motivation/intention. Could've been etched in a better way. Whereas the victim's brother-in-law is hilarious. And so is the lead's love interest. It was refreshing to watch a bald guy, ie. The famous "Rabish", play a charming, harmless alcoholic who is trying to woo his senior.
The best past is the music. Undoubtedly very very new for Bollywood. And also the subtlety of rage arising from caste discrimination.
Worth a watch.
The Mission (2023)
Um. Okay
It's really a story that we all know about.
But the real question is how it's told.
The storytelling, for me, was pretty average. I like the live-action bit, but it did not blow my mind for sure. I wish the interviews had more depth. I like that they tried to humanise Chau - a brilliant but dumb kid who wants to "save" the world from Hell and pave the way for Jesus' return. However, his dad's mournful letter cannot be the sole reason for me to empathise with Chau. I wish the filmmakers tried digging deeper into his life.
Also, how can you give TN Pandit such little screen time? And how can you miss the incredible Madhumala Chattopadhyay in this documentary that revolves around North Sentinel? Wish it was extensively researched and showed the Indian perspective.
Les filles d'Olfa (2023)
the best film at MAMI'23
It's an incredible film (documentary) with heart-wrenching, funny and highly nuanced performances. It wouldn't be right to call it a "performance" as the reality is literally unfolding in front of your eyes. But still. The film, for me, has completely blurred the lines between what is real and what is not. By the end of the film, I was left with a funny feeling in my stomach, and its a rare feeling for all I believe. I hope it comes out on a platform soon so that it reaches the right kind of audience and gets the appreciation it deserves.
The filmmaker, the actors, and lastly Olfa and her daughters -- they all have my heart.