ON 'OSCAR HONOR' TO LIV!

Great filmmaker Ingmar Bergman & actress Liv Ullmann!

They dreamt their cinema together
They loved their life together!

He was Ingmar Bergman
She is still Liv Ullmann!

His cinema won Oscar
She will get its honor!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

'OSCAR' HONOR TO LIV ULLMANN!

 

Liv Ullmann in Ingmar Bergman's Swedish film 'Shame' (1968).

It's great that one of my favourite artists of world cinema..Norwegian - renowned actress Liv - Ullmann will receive an 'Honorary Oscar'!

I already wrote a lot on her!

Congratulation madam!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

PANCHAM..RD!

Today is 82nd Birth Anniversary of famous Music Director & Singer too.. Rahul Dev Burman...famous with nickname..Pancham!

Remembering him like..'Yadon ki baraat' of many popular tunes!

Tribute to Panchamda!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'GHAZAL' FAME MADAN MOHAN!

 

Today is 97th Birth Anniversary of Music Director Madan Mohan Kohli!

Best known as Madan Mohan..particularly remembered for the ghazals he composed for Hindi films during 1950s to 1970s!

Humble Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SADGATI..40!

Smita Patil & Om Puri in emotional scene of Satyajit Ray's 'Sadgati' (1981).

Our great Satyajit Ray's strong realistic Hindi telefilm 'Sadgati' (1981) now in its 40th anniversary year!

Smita Patil & Om Puri With Satyajit Ray in dubbing of 'Sadgati' (1981) 

Based on short story by great Hindi writer Munshi Premchand, this film was focused on the casteism and exploitation!

Just saw rare a/v of its dubbing, in which Ray is watching the rushes with two of its powerful artists Smita Patil & Om Puri!

Observed Smitaji's great acting while dubbing her scene!!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TWO MASTERS 'K' OF CINEMA!

Here is a rare picture of Abbas Kiarostami..master of Iranian Cinema with Akira Kurosawa..master of Japanese Cinema!

Notable that in 2000..Kiarostami was honoured with 'Kurosawa Award'!

Tribute to both!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

THOUGHTS OF MASTERS OF CINEMA!

Renowned Iranian poetic filmmaker..Abbas Kiarostami's 81st Birth Anniversary just happened!

 

Here is how 'French new wave' master filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard praised him!

And here is how Kiarostami conveyed his thought to Godard!

Both are great!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

CAPITALIST ON COMMUNISM!

Pretty Luise Rainer and great Paul Muni in film 'The Good Earth' (1937).

On current world scenario I remembered this surprising film production! It's classic film 'The Good Earth' (1937)..which is an American drama on Chinese farmers' struggle to survive!

 

German Cinematographer Karl Freund 

of the film 'The Good Earth' (1937).

This film is based on Nobel Prize winning American author Perl Buck's novel of same name. That was adaptated for film by the screenwriters Talbot Jennings, Tess Slesinger (both American) and Claudine West (British). Film was produced by Irving Thalberg & directed by Sidney Franklin..

both Americans. In this famous filmmaker Victor Fleming was also involved! German Karl Freund did the cinematography of it!

In this film great Austro-Hungarian born American actor Paul Muni did main role of Chinese farmer Wang Lung and pretty German-American-British actress Luise Rainer portrayed his wife O-Lan!

In 'Oscar' awards..Luise won 'Best Actress' & Freund got 'Best Cinematographer'!

It's also 125th birth anniversary year of that legendary Paul Muni!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SERBIAN FILMMAKER GORAN RADOVANOVIC!

I am with Serbian filmmaker Goran Radovanovic in 'PIFF'!

Today is 64th birthday of renowned Serbian filmmaker friend..Goran Radovanovic!

With a strong cinematic view he started writing and directing short films in 1988 with 'Voigtalaeder - 1896'! 

After social 'Columba Urbic' (1994) he became documentary maker. Latter he made a film..

'Moja Za anutra snju upotrebu domovina' -

('My Country'/2000).

I first saw his strong contemporary feature film.. 'Enklava' (2015) which won award in our 'IFFI'.. 'International Film Festival of India' at Goa. It focused on the life of Kosovo Serbs in small isolated ethnic enclaves. 

 

Milena Jaksic & Filip Subaric in 'Enklava' (2015) 

Smart cute Filip Subaric played little boy's main role in this film. Beautiful Serbian actress & friend Milena Jaksic acted as teacher in it! I was so impressed by sensible treatment of it and that I told him when we met in film festival here at Pune!

Hope to see strong contemporary films from him in future also!

All the best Mr. Goran!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

CONTEMPORARY CINEMATIC EXCELLENCE!

Last year I posted 10 images of films that have had an impact on me at my page on Facebook. In this..I avoided puzzles which normally people doing (just to impress) by posting complex images!

So I have only posted images from some of my favourite films. (Actually there are more than 100!) Most of the posted images were easy to identify, because of the famous works of masters of cinema! But people could not identify couple of images like these..

'Hiroshima Mon Amour' (1959) made by 'French New Wave' filmmaker Alain Resnais!

'Amma Ariyan' (1986)..Malayalam revolutionary film made by John Abraham!

These are still contemporary and examples of cinematic excellence!

Just remembered!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

AUSTRALIAN CINEMA LEGEND PAUL COX!

Legendary Australian filmmaker Paul Cox and me in our 'IFFI'!

Australian filmmaker Paul Cox with camera!

Father of Independent Cinema in Australia...filmmaker Paul Cox's 5th death anniversary recently happened!

 

Paulus Henriqus Benedictus 'Paul Cox'..was Australia’s most prolific film auteur! His unique films focused on uncertainty in life and loneliness within relationships!

Started with 'Illuminations' (1976).. Paul Cox's films reflected such genre in 'Lonely Hearts' (1982), 'Man of - Flowers' (1983), 'Island' (1989)', 'Exile' (1994), 'Lust and Revenge' (1996) & 'Human Touch' (2004).

He also made 14 short films and 12 documentaries in which includes some on our India like.'Calcutta' (1971).

 

He received many awards in prestigious international film festivals! His last film 'Force of Destiny' (2015) was with David Wenham & our Indian Actress Shahana Goswami!

I remembered nice meeting to Mr. Paul Cox in our 'International Film Festival of India' ('IFFI') held at Trivandrum in 1997!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

WHAT NEPOTISM & MONOPOLY?

Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand & Raj Kapoor in party!

Singers Mohammed Rafi & Kishor Kumar in recording!

Dilip Kumar (with no connection in film industry) proved his great ness in acting than Raj of Kapoor! And kept his high position! Even (from outside) Dev Anand also adjusted him and they became famous trio!

Same thing about Mohammed_ Rafi's greatness in singing than Kishor Kumar of Ganguly!

- Manoj Kulkarni

RUSSIAN CINEMA LEGEND MIKHALKOV 75+

Veteran Russian filmmaker and actor..Nikita Mikhalkov!

World famous Russian filmmaker & actor Nikita Mikhalkov is now 75+! And his film career (including acting) completed 60 years!

Elena Safonova & Marcello Mastroianni in Mikhalkov's film 'Dark Eyes' (1987)

Mikhalkov gained international fame with his romantic comedy 'A Slave of Love' (1975). 

Then his film 'An Unfinished Piece for a player Piano' (1977) was based on great Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's drama and won first prize at the 'San Sebastian Film Festival'. 

Nikita Mikhalkov with daughter Nadezhda Mikhalkov in 

his award winning film 'Burnt by the Sun' (1995).

Mikhalkov again incorporated short stories of Chekhov for his Russian & Italian joint production.. 'Dark Eyes' (1987).

Famous Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni did main role in it!

Mikhalkov has won 'Golden Lion' for his film 'Close to Eden' (1991) at the..'Venice Film Festival'. Then his 'Burnt by the Sun' (1995) won 'Grand Prix' at the 'Cannes Film Festival' and 'Best Foreign Language Film' in 'Oscar'. In this film he acted with his daughter (that time child artist) Nadezhda Mikhalkov! His - romantic film 'The Barber of Siberia' (1998) is also notable!

 

Oleg Menshikov & Julia Ormond in 'The Barber of Siberia' (1998)

Mikhalkov is the head of.. Russian Cinematographers' Union. And he is a three-time laureate of the 'State Prize of 

the Russian Federation'!

Five years back in our.. 

'46th International Film Festival of India' at Goa Mikhalkov got the 'Lifetime Achievement Award'!

Best wishes sir!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

STAN LAUREL!

Today is 131st Birth Anniversary of well known British born American Comic Actor, Writer & Director..Arthur Stanley Jefferson.

He was popular as Stan on stage and most famous as Laurel of.. hit comedic duo..'Lourel and Hardey'!

Tribute to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ASIF-E-HINDOSTAN!

TODAY IS 99TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF LEGENDARY FILMMAKER OF OUR INDIAN CINEMA...K. ASIF!

IT'S A STARTING OF HIS BIRTH- CENTENARY YEAR ALSO!

HIS GREAT LOVE FILM 'MUGHAL-E-AZAM' (1960) COMPLETED 61 YEARS!

THE TRIBUTES!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SHEHENSHAH-E-GHAZAL..MEHDI HASSAN!

Today is Death Anniversary of Shehenshah-E-Ghazal..Mehdi Hassan!

Pakistani ghazal & playback singer of Lollywood..Mehdi Hassan was famous as..

King of Ghazal!

He was honoured with 'K. L. Saigal Sangeet Shehenshah - Award' by our Government of India! And he was awarded with 'Tamgha-E-Imtiaz', 'Pride of - Performance', 'Hilal-E-Imtiaz' & highest civilian honour 'Nishan-E-Imtiaz' by Government of - Pakistan!

Homage to Mehdi Hassan ji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'DRACULA' FAME CHRISTOPHER LEE!

Six years over..legendary British Actor Christopher Lee left this world!

This Lee was known for doing mostly villainous roles. This started with the title role he played in 'Dracula' (1958).

Then his best film was 'The Wicker Man' (1973). He also acted in James Bond film 'The Man with the Golden gun' (1974). 

He always noted as an actor for his deep strong voice and singing ability! Up to 'The Lord of the rings' film trilogy (2001-2003) and 'The Hobbit' film trilogy (2012-2014) he gave his excellent performances!

Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

THREE МАSTERS OF JAPANESE CINEMA!

Three master film makers of Japan..(from left)..

Yasujiro Ozu, Kenji Mizoguchi & Akira Kurosawa!

There were three master filmmakers in Japan..Kenji Mizoguchi, Yasujiro Ozu & Akira Kurosawa. 

Who was great? Like serious cinegoers discuss here about our Indian master filmmakers e. g. Painter/Shantaram and.. Ghatak/Ray!

First two started working in silent film era.

In this Mizoguchi's cinema was mostly period drama which they call "Jidaigeki" genre in Japan!

 

Whereas Ozu's cinema related with real life (mostly urban) and relationship between generations!

While famous for samurai films..Kurosawa was a master of cinematic techniques..which he used to focus on lives of his characters from..psychologycal and philosophical point of view!

All specialities of these Japanese master filmmakers you can see in their master-pieces made in 1950s includes.. Mizoguchi's 'Ugetsu' (1953), Ozu's 'Tokyo Story' (1953) & Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' (1950).

 

But I think, contemporary films of Ozu and Kurosawa..are still relevant!!

Humble Tributes to these three master film makers of Japan!!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

EXCLUSIVE!

GIRU DUTT, FAMILY WITH  WAHEEDA!

 

This is rare picture in which actress Waheeda Rehman & actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt are with singer (mrs.) Geeta Dutt!

This was taken on the premier of their romantic film 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand' (1960) a triangular love story on the backdrop of Lucknowi nawabi mahol!

It seems that Guru dutt feeling awkward standing between Waheeda and wife Geetaji!

Waheedaji probably standing with Baby Farida in it!

I can imagine two songs of this film..from two corners of this picture..

(from left) "Dil ki kahaani rang laayi hai.."

(from right) "Bedardi mere saiyaan.."

Such a sensitive picture!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Sometimes nothing is required

to express the feelings of love

It is just one romantic gesture

conveys your feelings of love!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

 

Just wrote on this romantic scene of Charlie Chaplin & Virginia Cherrill from classic.. 'City Lights' (1931) on..today's occasion of 'World Eye Donation Day'!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

DILIP KUMAR BIOGRAPHY LAUNCH!

Dharmendra, Amir Khan, Amitabh bachchan with 

Saira Banuji and Dilip Kumarji at book launch!

In these days, remembered this memorable function. It was our great actor Dilip Kumar's biography launching ceremony held at Mumbai in 2014. This book 'Substance and Shadow' authored by Uday tara Nair!

It was nice to attend this great event among the big & famous film personalities!

Wishing good health to Yusuf sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

GREAT FILMMAKERS AT GREAT PLACE!

Great to see this picture in which three renowned film makers from world Michelangelo Antonioni (Italy), Akira Kurosawa (Japan), our Satyajit Ray together at our great Taj Mahal, Agra, India in 1977.

Bahot khoob!!

- Manoj Kulkarni