THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: FILMS OF 2009

THE UNUSUAL SUSPECTS: THE PICK OF FILMS OF 2009

1) Pasanga (Kids, Tamil)

A warm and delightful, unaffected and ingenuous tale about the world of 10-year-old Anbu--his family and friends, his dreams and joys, and his problems and worries as well. The debut directorial venture of Pandiraj, who started off as an office boy for well-known filmmaker Bagyaraj, Pasanga is about his own memories of growing up in the village of Virachilai. It was shot in and around Virachilai with most actors drawn from the local populace. A children’s film that reaches out to the adults as well.

Sub-titled DVDs out on Moser Baer in January 2010.

2) Gabhricha Paus (The Damned Rain, Marathi)

A whimsical, bittersweet film, on the personal plights and predicaments of the farmers in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, it examines the reasons that drive them to the extreme step of taking their own lives. It also shows how the tragic suicides impinge on the psyche of those alive and struggling for survival. But instead of being mawkish and mushy the film has an abiding sense of humour that makes the audience smile through their tears.

Available on Everest/Eros DVDs.

3) Harishchandrachi Factory (Harishchandra’s Factory, Marathi)

Harishchandrachi Factory is an affectionate tribute to an extraordinarily loveable and buoyant Dadasaheb Phalke, the founder of world’s largest film industry. It celebrates his passion, commitment and many eccentricities and his winsome, good-natured and supportive family. The film also skilfully weaves in the politics of the times. In the height of British rule Phalke’s making of Raja Harishchandra was not just good business but a political act, a vehicle for reflecting Indian culture and sensibility.

Releases in theatres on January 22, first in Maharashtra, then the rest of the country.

4) Paltadacho Munis (The Man Beyond The Bridge, Konkani)

An extraordinarily mature and poised film on loneliness and companionship, Paltadacho Munis portrays the unusual relationship between a lonely forest guard and a mentally deranged woman. His initial reaction to her is that of annoyance and exasperation but slowly he begins to derive comfort from her presence. As the tentative relationship grows he wants to have her as his companion even as the society questions the morality of their bonding. The film bagged the critics’ award at the Toronto International Film Festival 2009 and was the opening film at IFFI Goa 2009.

Releases in theatres early 2010.

5) Yeh Hai Malegaon Ka Superman (This Is Malegaon’s Superman, Hindi)

Faiza Khan’s documentary on the making of Malegaon’s wacky Superman spoof was delightful. However, the actual film, Shaikh Nasir’s Yeh Hai Malegaon Ka Superman, is no less riveting. Peppered with local idiom, images and jokes Malegaon’s skinny Superman story also delivers relevant, universal messages—on environmental degradation, the necessity of polio drops for kids and the harmful effects of chewing tobacco. More than anything else Malegaon’s grassroots cinema shows how, despite minimal budget and resources but with ingenuity and passion, 70mm dreams can truly fly.

Getting released by Bohra Bros and B2 Motion Pictures in April 2010.