FAVOURITE FRENCH ROMANTIC
ON CANNES-2025 POSTER!

 

Glad to see that pictures of my favourite French romantic classic 'A Man and a Woman' (1966) on the poster of this '78th Cannes Film Festival', 2025! It may be tribute to this 'Palme d'Or' winner film which is completing 60 years!

Beautiful Anouk Aimee & Jean-Louis Trintignant in..
'Un Homme Et Une Femme' ('A Man and a Woman'/1966).

I already wrote a lot on this one of my most favourite romantic French films..'Un Homme Et Une Femme' ('A Man and a Woman'/1966). This unconventional and matured film is written-produced & directed by renowned French filmmaker Claude Lelouch!

This film is about a young widow and widower who meet at their children's boarding school and whose budding relationship is complicated by the memories of their spouses! Beautiful Anouk Aimee and Jean-Louis Trintignant portrayed this romantic lead sensibly with Pierre Barouch, Valerie Lagrange & Antoine Sire!

Lelouch himself nicely cinematographed this film on the screenplay which he wrote with Pierre Uytterhoeven. And also himself edited the film with Claude Barrois! Francis Lai nicely composed its music & theme song which superbly sung by Nicole Croisille & Pierre Barouh!

Renowned French filmmaker Claude Lelouch of..
'Un Homme Et Une Femme' ('A Man and a Woman'/1966)

This commercially very successful film was screened in various prestigious international film festivals & won several awards. It includes 'Palme d'Or' at '19th Cannes Film Festival' and 'Best Foreign Language Film' & 'Best Writing' awards of 'Oscar'! In addition to this Anouk Aimee won 'Best Actress' of 'Golden Globe'!!

Lelouch completed its trilogy with two more films..'A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later' in 1986 and 'The Best Years of a life' in 2019..with same lead artists!

I remember nice meeting with its filmmaker Claude Lelouch at our 'International Film Festival of India'..more than 25 years ago!!

Its theme song "Chabadabada.." with intense romantic scenes..still lingering in mind!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It's a picture of great director Roberto Rossellini's 'Rome, Open City' (1945)..most important early film from 'Italian Neo-Realism' genre!

Now 80 years are over, but its scene/quote is still contemporary!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SHAJI KARUN NO MORE!

 

It is sad that renowned cinematographer & filmmaker of Malayalam Cinema..Shaji N. Karun passed away!

I remember the first interaction to him during my 'Film Appreciation Course' at FTII in 1989. His first directorial film 'Piravi' was screened in it and its neo-realist treatment made powerful impact!

After that I have watched his films in festivals like our main 'IFFI'. His cinema depicted human emotions & struggle like in 'Piravi' (1988) and 'Swaham'(1994). Most of the time this was shown on the backdrop of Kerala's culture and performing arts like in 'Vanaprastham' (1999) legendary Mohanlal co-produced & intensely acted and in 'Swapaanam' (2014).

Shaji Karun's films got state, national awards & international recognition in film festivals like London, Chicago & Cannes! He was the first chairman of 'Kerala State Chalachitra Academy'. He got 'Padma Shri' award and..few days back he was honoured with 'J. C. Daniel Award' for lifetime contribution to Malayalam Cinema!

I still remember meeting Shaji Karun in film festivals like in 'IFFI' at Trivandrum and other cities! He was very soft spoken & down to earth person!

My humble homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

CINEMA..130!

French pioneers of Cinematograph..(Auguste & Louis) Lumiere Brothers first screened their motion pictures on 22nd March, 1895 at Paris!

After that, Lumiere Brothers presented their six short films in our India at Bombay on 7th July, 1896!

Now Cinema is 130 years old!!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"Jago mohan pyare.."
Lata Mangeshkar sung this Shailendra's song was the climax of one of our India's neo-realistic films..'Jagate Raho' (1956) produced-acted by Raj Kapoor!

It was directed by Amit Maitra & Sombhu Mitra..with them K.A. Abbas wrote this film! And excellent cinematographed by Radhu Karmakar!

Nargis did cameo in it!..And it was the last time she appeared in 'R.K. Films'!

'Jagate Raho' won national award and 'Crystal Globe Grand Prix' at 'Karlovy Vary International Film Festival' in Czechoslovakia!

On this 'World Water Day' I remembered this..as metaphor!
And recently RK's birth centenary happened!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Love, Amour, Lyublyu, Ai, Mohabbat

Hope to hear such words in the world

Let only Love spread everywhere...!

- Manoj 'maanas roomani'

(With Valentine's Day wishes!)

At the Alumni Meet - 2025 of our 'Department of Communication and Journalism' (Pune University), Ranade Institute!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Yesterday, attending the Alumni Meet of our 'Department of - Communication and Journalism' (Pune University) at Ranade - Institute..was like going down memory lane!

- Manoj Kulkarni 

BOLLYWOOD SHOWMAN SUBHASH GHAI..80!

Today is 80th Birthday of veteran Film Producer, Director, Writer & Actor of our Popular Indian Cinema..Subhash Ghai ji!

His film making career completed almost 50 years! He made different genres of hit films from romantic thrillers 'Karz', 'Hero', 'Meri Jung' to multi-starrer drama 'Karma', 'Saudagar'! He got various awards including 'National' and 'IIFA'!

 

Here is 30 years old picture of mine with him. It was taken when he presented 'Cinema Cinema' programme on the occasion of 100 years of cinema during '26th International Film Festival of India' held at Mumbai in 1995!

Salgirah Mubarak Ghai sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

THE FOG!

When fog occurs in atmosphere
we can not see around us!

When fog occurs in life
we disappear for awhile! 

In search of ourselves
in search of our love!

- Manoj 'maanas roomani'

[I wrote verse on this picture! It's from renowned Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni's 'Red Desert' (1964). This was his first colour film, which is in 60th anniversary! One of my favourites from classic world cinema!]

- Manoj Kulkarni