FRENCH NEW WAVE STALWART..RIVETTE!

Legendary French critic-filmmaker..Jacques Rivette!

Today is 3rd Death Anniversary of French filmmaker and film critic..
Jacques Rivette!

French filmmaker Jacques Rivette..thinking a scene!

He started writing film criticism with Truffaut and Chabrol in influential magazine for French new wave.. 'Cahiers du Cinema' of which he became editor in 1963!

Rivette's debut film 'Paris Belongs to Us' (1960) was critically acclaimed! He was known for increasing length 
of his films..in which 'Out 1' released in 1971 ran at 770 minutes!

Poster of Rivette's longest film 'Out 1'.

He made 28 intellectual films..like 'Celine and Julie go Boating' (1974) and 'La Belle Noiseuse' (1991) which got unexpected success!

Homage to this genius!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

WORLD OF IVAN AND APU!

 

These are two Classic Images from most admirable films of world cinema..

Above is from Russian film 'Ivan's Childhood' (1962) directed by great Soviet filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky!..This image Cinematographed by Vadim Yusov and Ivan's role played by Nikolai Burlyaev!

And here is our Apu of Bengali film 'Pather Panchali' (1955) directed by great Satyajit Ray!..This image cinematographed by Subrata Mitra and 
Apu played by Subir Banerjee! 

- Manoj Kulkarni

TUMASA NAHIN DEKHA..!

I felicitated O. P. Nayyarsahab in his salgirah mehafil!

Today is 12th Death Anniversary of Popular Rhythm fame Music Director..Omkar Prasad Nayyar known as O. P. Nayyar!

Sharmila Tagore and Shammi Kapoor in famous
'Kashmir ki Kali's (1964) song "Tareef karu kya usaki.."

"Sun sun sun sun zalima.." ('Aar Par'/1954), "Mang ke sath tumhara.." ('Naya Daur'/1957), "Tareef karu kya usaki.." ('Kashmir ki Kali'/1964), 
''Hue hai tumpe aashiq hum.." ('Mere Sanam'/ 1965) and many more his hit romantic songs of our popular Indian cinema..lingering in mind! 

Tanuja & Dharmendra in 'Bahare Phir Bhi Aayengi's (1966) 

unique song "Aap ke haseen rukh pe.."

Apart from his famous (tanga rhythm) tunes.. his one unique composition which is my favourite..is
Rafi sahab sung.."Aap ke haseen rukh pe.." from 'Bahare Phir Bhi Aayengi' (1966).

Remembering salgirah mehafil of Nayyarsahab..in which I felicitated him!

 Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SALUTE!!

Today is 10th Death Anniversary of eighth President of our India...
Mr. R. Venkataraman!

Remembering meeting to this former President Mr. Venkataraman at..
New Delhi during the study tour of our 'Bachelor of Communication & Journalism' in 1988!

Humble Homage sir!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

HOLLYWOOD EPIC 'GONE WITH THE WIND' 80!

Legendary romantic Hollywood movie 'Gone With The Wind' is completing 80 years..which was released in 1939!

Author Margaret Mitchell with her 'Pulitzer' Award 

winning novel 'Gone With The Wind'!

This film was an adaptation of 'Pulitzer' Award winning novel 'Gone With The Wind' which written by Margaret Mitchell 
in 1936! It's a romantic epic on the backdrop of American Civil War!

'Gone With The Wind's (1939) Directer Victor Fleming 

with it's Producer David O. Selznic...Imagination of scene!

This legendary movie was Produced by David O. Selznic and Directed by Victor Fleming with Geogre Cukor and Sam Wood. This early Technicolour film Cinematographed by.. Ernest Haller and Edited by 
Hal Kern with James Newcom. And Max Steiner composed lyrical Music!

In this handsome Clark Gable did role of Rhett Butler & beautiful Vivien Leigh appeared on screen as Scarlett O'Hara..with other artists like..Leslie Howard & Olivia de Havilland!

Beautiful Vivien Leigh and handsome Clark Gable 

in romantic scene of 'Gone With The Wind' (1939).

This most popular film also got critical acclaim and won ten 'Oscar' Awards..
in which includes Best.. Picture, Director, Actress 
& Cinematographer!

Classic romantic scene from this film still lingering in mind!!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

More than 70 years over..'Father of our Indian Cinema'..

Dadasaheb Phalke left this world! 

Still waiting for 'Bharatratna' to Phalkesaheb!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'BHARATRATNA' ANNOUNCED TO ASSAMESE LEGEND 

IN THE FIELDS OF CINEMA, ART & MUSIC..

(LATE) BHUPEN HAZARIKA!

My two decades old photo with legendary artist Bhupen Hazarika!

REMEMBERED NICE MEETING BHUPENDA!

HUMBLE TRIBUTE!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM MAY GET 'OSCAR'S BEST!

'91st Oscar' nominations recently announced. And in this Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron's semi-autobiographical Spanish movie 'Roma' got maximum ten with period English drama film 'The Favourite' directed by Greek filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos! 
And 'Roma' became the 11th foreign language film nominated for 'Best Picture Oscar'!

Black & white Netflix 'Roma' is also in the competition for 'Best Foreign Language Film' with other four..in which includes 'Capernaum' (Lebanon), 'Cold War' (Poland), 'Never Look Away' (Germany) & 'Shoplifters' (Japan).




All these recent films already got much critical acclaim and various awards in prestigious international film festivals like Venice & Cannes!

In this section 'Cold War' is also black & white movie directed by renowned Polish filmmaker Pawel Pawlikowski. This is a passionate love story between two from different backgrounds on the backdrop of 1950s war!


Then Lebanese actress Nadine Labaki wrote & directed film 'Capernaum' ('Capharnaum') tells the story of streetwise boy sues his parents in protest of the life they have given to him! 

Whereas Hirokazu Kore-eda directed.. Japanese film 'Shoplifters' tells story of a family of crooks who lift a lost girl..a gem! And Florian Donnersmarck directed German film 'Never Look Away' follows a romantic life of painter through three turbulent eras of Germany!

In these films 'Capernaum' shows the strong & real contemporary picture..And 'Cold War' attract with it's lyrical way of filming intensity & emotions! 
So I think one from these two may get 'Oscar's 'Best Foreign Language Film' award!

My best wishes to all these films, directors & artists!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
 ['Chitrasrushti']

REMEMBERING NAQSH LAYALPURI!

Two years over..Urdu poet & lyricist Jaswant Rai Sharma..pen-name Naqsh Layalpuri left this world!

In 1951 he started writing lyrics for films and wrote many songs for Hindi & Punjabi movies! His famous films includes 'Chetana' (1970), 'Gharonda' (1977) & 'Ahista Ahista' (1981).

Some of his hit meaningful songs are..
"Rasme ulfat ko nibhaye toh nibhaye kaise.." ('Dil Ki Rahen'/1973)
"Yeh mulaqat ek bahana hai.." ('Khandaan'/1979) and
"Mana teri nazar mein tera pyar ham nahin.." ('Ahista Ahista'/1981)

A Homage!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

FELLINI..FILMMAKER BEYOND ITALIAN NEO-REALISM!

Great Italian Filmmaker..Federico Fellini with camera!

Birth Anniversary of one of the great filmmakers of Italy.. Federico Fellini just happened!..Next year will be his Birth Centenary!

Great Italian Filmmaker Federico Fellini with camera!

Fellini emerged with his satiric cinematic approach! That starts with his first screen-writing for Mario Mattoli's 'The Pirate's Dream' (1940). Then he assisted in writing-directing to one of the pioneers of Italian Neo-realism..Roberto Rossellini for 'Paisan' (1946).

Giulietta Masina in Fellini's Italian Film 'La Strada' (1954).

In 1950 Fellini co-produced & directed his first film 'Variety Lights' with Alberto Lattuada. After that he independently made 'The White Sheik' (1951) a romantic comedy! Then his film 'I Vitelloni' (1953) critically acclaimed and won Silver Lion Award in 'Venice Film Festival'!

Then Fellini went beyond Neo-realism with his film 'La Strada' (1954) 

in which he captured the reality of road life through young naive woman. This won inaugural 'Oscar' for.. 
Best Foreign Language Film' in 1957!

Marcello Mastroianni & Anita Ekberg in Fellini's Film 'La Dolce Vita' (1960).

His most notable film 'La Dolce Vita' (1960) focused on what we called.. "Yellow.. Journalism"! 
In this famous Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni played the role of Journalist writing for gossip magazines. This box-office hit movie won 'Palme d'Or' at 'Cannes Film Festival'.

Marcello Mastroianni & Claudia Cardinale in Fellini's Film '8 and 1/2' (1963).

After that turning point came in Fellini's mature style of film making with '8 and 1/2' (1963) which called Italian surrealist comedy! It centred on film director who suffers from stifled creativity and this role played by famous Marcello Mastroianni. This also won 'Oscar's Best Foreign Language Film' and considered as one of the greatest films of all time!

In 1971 Fellini made autobiographical 'Roma' which poetically showed his memories and impressions of Rome. Then his films like 'Casanova' (1976) and 'City of Women' (1980) came with contrast genre!

Great Italian Filmmaker..Federico Fellini with honorary 'Oscar' Award!

Fellini honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Awards' at 'Cannes' (1974), 'Venice' (1985) and in 'Oscar' (1993).

I still remember satiric scenes from Fellini's films like..how he used terms "Bite" (which is now familiar in electronic media) and "Paparazzi" (now in use for photo journalists) in his famous 'La Dolce Vita'!

Humble Tribute to this great filmmaker!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

  ['Chitrasrushti']

PLACE OF CINEMA'S ARRIVAL IN INDIA!

It's 'Watson Hotel', Bombay where Lumiere Brothers of France..screened their pioneering six short films on 7th July, 1896..And that way Cinema came in our India!

I took this picture there..on 7th July, 1996 during the 'Celebration.. 
of '100 Years of Cinema' in which I participated!

Just saw inauguration of 'National Museum of Indian Cinema' in Mumbai and remembered this!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MEMORY OF GRACEFUL BABY SHAKUNTALA!

Beautiful Marathi actress Baby Shakuntala at old age!

Today is 4th death anniversary of yesteryear's beautiful Marathi actress.. Baby Shakuntala!

Pretty Baby Shakuntala..teenage & young!

Umadevi Nadgonde.. popularly known as Baby Shakuntala appeared on screen at age of 6 in 'Prabhat Film Co.'s Marathi movie 'Daha Vajata' and then acted nearly 60 films like..
'Maya Bazar' (1949), 'Sharada' (1951) & 'Aboli' (1953).

Baby Shakuntala also acted in 40 Hindi films in which one was Madhubala starred 'Pardes'!

Baby Shakuntala in 'Ramshastri' (1944).

'Prabhat's 'Ramshastri' (1944) was milestone among it..from which her song "Don ghadicha dav.." & her beautiful, innocent appearance in it still lingering in mind! With that picture one more my favourite movie of her is 'Chimani Pakhare' (1952) in which she touched the heart with her emotions on screen!

Remembering meeting her many years back in Pune!

Homage to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'ANDHADHUN' FOR ASPIRING FILMMAKERS?

Tabu & Ayushman Khurrana in Raghvan's Bollywood film 'Andhadhun' (2018).

Bollywood filmmaker Sriram Raghvan!

Neo-Noir genre fame Sriram Raghvan's.. Bollywood movie 'Andhadhun' (which shot in Pune) got appreciation in 'PIFF'..And I surprised! Because this movie is (nothing but) expanding feature work of a original French short film 'L' Accordeur' (2010) a precise cinematic work!

Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet in Treiner's French short film 'L' Accordeur' (2010)

A blind pianist unwillingly becomes embroiled in murder is a basic plot of these films..And this was very precisely showed in original French short film 'L' Accordeur' (The Piano Tuner). Young filmmaker Oliver Treiner wrote & directed this film in which Gregoire Leprince-Ringuet played the protagonist aptly! This won 'Cesar Award for Best Short Film'!

French filmmaker Oliver Treiner.

On that 'Andhadhun's script writers and director developed the movie like Bollywood thriller. In this Ayushman Khurrana played that pianist sensibly with another developed character did by Tabu dynamically! 


That small budget bollywood movie earned more than hundred crores! And it's success story this festival forum presented in front of aspiring filmmakers!..What to say?

- Manoj Kulkarni
 ['Chitrasrushti']

REVOLUTIONARY CINEMA STILL ALIVE!

Littin's landmark Chilean film 
'Jackal of Nahueltoro' (1969).

Year back..I wrote an article about how the revolutionary Latin American Cinema often made strong comments on socio-political situation!

Chilean great filmmaker Miguel Littin!

That was started by landmark Chilean film 'El Chacal de Nahueltoro' (Jackal of Nahueltoro 1969) made by legendary filmmaker Miguel Littin! That film was a tragic real story of a exploited farmer & poor family suffered in it! 
[I interacted with Mr. Littin in our 'IFFI'..20 years ago!]

'Cabros de Mierda' (Damn Kids/2017)  

made by Chilean filmmaker Justiniano!

And after 50 years..new film 'Cabros de Mierda' ('Damn Kids'/2017)..gives the feel of revolutionary cinema is still alive there! 

Chilean filmmaker Gonzalo Justiniano!

Renowned Chilean filmmaker Gonzalo Justiniano made this movie.. focused on the people lives in adverse situation during the dictatorship of Pinochet! It narrates the story through brave young lady's struggle for democracy in Chile!

But '17thPIFF' (which just started) did not include this film in competition section and took as inaugural!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti']

INCOMPLETE 'ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL'!

'9th Asian Film Festival' over in Pune. But did not see comprehensive focus on quality cinema of Asian countries..in which not noticed any film from major country China! Apart from this big lacking was homage to legendary Sri Lankan Filmmaker Lester James Peries who passed away in 2018!

Renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua speaking.!

This festival inaugurated by renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua. He emphasised 
the need to respect our Indian cinema and to maintain the identity of Asian cinema! 
He also spoke on the beginning of Assamese cinema & artist suffered in it!..After the function it was nice meeting Barua family!

I will not write about this time's (Zenith?).. honoured (egoistic) average actor-filmmaker and he supported so called (arrogant) actor who got..this award few years back in this same festival!

Picture of Turkey's road movie 'Zer'!

This Festival screened about 36 films and more than half were from our India only!

In this festival.. 
films were mostly through journey road to overseas! In inaugural Turkey's 'Zer' young man travels in search of origin of a song he heard from his grandmother. Through this Kurdish director Kazim Oz focused on the cultural happenings in his region!

Poster of Bangladeshi film 'Komola Rocket'!

After that road movie..Bangladeshi film 'Komola Rocket' travels by ship. In this journey director Noor Imran Mithu focused on the life and tendencies of upper & lower class people through passengers in it!

Then our Indian Marathi film 'Aaron' travels overseas by plane..In search of disappear mother..a boy in it travels to Paris with his uncle. It's director Omkar Shetty sensibly handled this journey which reveals various dimensions of human nature and also reflects universal emotions!..In this with Marathi artists Shashank Ketkar, Neha Joshi & Atharva Padhye..Bengali actress Swastika Mukherjee & French artists played their roles!

Poster of Marathi movie 'Aaron'..with French & Indian artists!

Then (national award nominated) Jayaraj's film in Malayalam.. 'Bhayanakam' was notable..In this postman regularly travels by boat to deliver money orders to army men's relatives in village..and suddenly became 'not wanted' because he started bringing telegrams of deaths in war!

Intense scene of Malayalam film 'Bhayanakam'!

There were women centric films too.. 
In this Japanese movie 'The Bad Poetry' showed the struggle of working girl for survival. Indian director Anshul Chauhan made this film effectively in which award winner Japanese actress Iijima Shuna did the leading role powerfully!

Iijima Shuna in Japanese film 'The Bad Poetry'!

Then there was Bengali film 'Rong Beronger Korhi' in which beautiful actress Rituparna Sengupta portrayed two contrast characters from urban & rural and showed the suffering of women in different perspectives! 

After that Hindi episodic kind movie 'Teen Muhurat' presented three young women in three auspicious hours! And Hindi film 'Bhor' showed the struggle of lower class girl to live her life in dignified way; but the issue (even genuine) handled in it made this a propaganda film!

Beautiful Rituparna Sengupta in Bengali film 'Rong Beronger Korhi'!

There were other films.. with different dramas like Kazakhstan's historical 'Talan' and Srilankan psychological 'Underpant Thief'! 

This festival concluded with the premier of Marathi upcoming movie 'Bandishala' directed by Milind Lele! This film did not appeal because of it's flaws in technical, character development & directorial aspect! But Mukta Barve portrayed her character of prison officer powerfully!

Now the globe became one family (like our "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam") due to technological developments & Internet world! And despite some cultural differences global citizens shares their human emotions which 
are universal! So films lovers are not that keen like earlier..to watch only European or only Asian cinema in one festival. Now they like to watch entire world cinema in one festival!..Organisers should seriously think about this!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
  ['Chitrasrushti']