LIV..NORWEGIAN ICON OF CINEMA!

Today is 84th birthday of one of the greatest European actresses, Norwegian beautiful Actress Liv Ullmann. She became famous with acting in renowned Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman's films!

Apart from that, Liv Ullmann is also successful filmmaker! In 1992, she made directorial debut with Danish film 'Sofie' which was based on the novel by Henri Nathansen. This critically acclaimed film was Denmark's submission for 'Oscar'! After this international recognition, she wrote-directed own Norwegian film 'Kristin Lavransdatter' (1995). This was also Norwegian entry for 'Oscar'! Then she made two films on Ingmar Bergman's scripts. These films includes 'Private Confessions' (1996) and 'Faithless' (2000).

In 2014, Liv Ullmann wrote-directed last film 'Miss Julie'. This English period drama was co-production of Norway, UK, Ireland & France. It had world premier in 'Toronto International Film Festival'! Now her career as film director completed 40 years!

Liv Ullmann won various awards in her film career. And she is UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador!

Best wishes to this, one of my favourite actresses & filmmaker too!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

FILMMAKER LAPID & HIS COMMENT AS CRITIC!

Currently an Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid is in the news for criticising 'The Kashmir Files' as propaganda film! On this background, I remember his film watched in our 'IFFI', 2014 at Goa. And it was 'The Kindergarten Teacher' which showed his sensibility!

Lapid wrote-directed that film revolves around a caring relationship of teacher with a small boy who is gifted with poetry and how she protect his talent! Sarit Larry did this role very sensitively with child artist Avi Shnaidman. This film won '45th IFFI's 'Silver Peacock' & Sarit won 'Best Actress' award!

After that Lapid's complex autobiographical Film 'Synonyms' (2019) won 'Golden Bear' award at 'Berlin International Film Festival'!

He is not only filmmaker but also film critic..So wise enough as jury head of '53rd IFFI' to make his strong comment on above film!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Tribute to beautiful famous Urdu Poetess Parveen Shakir ji..a distinctive feminine voice..on her 70th Birth Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

HUMBLE TRIBUTE TO FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF OUR SECULAR INDIA..MADAM INDIRA JI GANDHI ON 105TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY!

- Manoj Kulkarni

DE SICA AND ZAVATTINI.. DIRECTOR & WRITER DUO OF NEOREALIST CINEMA!

Today is Death Anniversary of Italian Actor-Director Vittorio De Sica and last month on same date was Death Anniversary of  Italian Screenwriter & Theorist Cesare Zavattini..great pioneers of Neo-Realist Cinema!

Important turning point came in Vittorio De Sica's film career when he met writer Cesare Zavattini. De Sica directed great Neo-realist films on the scripts wrote by Zavattini. In these first was 'Sciuscia' ('Shoeshine'/1946)..focus on the life of slum children through the struggle of two shoeshine boys. And another was 'Ladri di biciclette' (1948) famous 'Bicycle Thieves'..which follows the story of a poor man with his little son..in search of their bicycle which is stolen & the man needs it for job!

Both the films received honorary 'Oscar' awards! These influenced to the filmmakers in the world. In our India..Bimal Roy's film 'Do Bigha Zameen' (1953) was inspired from 'Bicycle Thieves'. And Raj Kapoor's film 'Boot Polish' (1954) was based on 'Shoeshine'!

After that, De Sica made notable films on the unique screenplays written by Zavattini. These includes 'Umberto D' (1952) and 'Two Women' (1961) in which famous Italian actress Sophia Loren acted superbly & won 'Best Actress Oscar' award!

I admire their Neo-realist Cinema which completed 75 years!
Homage to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GHATAK'S 'NAGORIK'..70!

Ritwik Ghatak's 70 years old first film 'Nagorik' (1952).

Today is 97th Birth Anniversary of great Bengali Filmmaker-Screenwriter Ritwik Ghatak!..Mostly known for his emotional social films..close to Neo-realistic Cinema!

Great Ritwik Ghatak's view of directing film!

In 1952 he wrote & directed his first film 'Nagorik' which was first Art & neo-realist film in Bengali cinema! It reflected lower middle-class emotions and unemployment through documentary realism! But this film released twenty-four years later (after his death) in 1977. So missed the honour of becoming pioneer of Bengali art and neo-realistic film of Indian cinema..And that honour went to Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali' which released in 1955. But Ray praised Ghatak as truly original talent in Indian cinema!

Realism of Ritwik Ghatak's film 'Nagorik' (1952).

Great Ramananda Sengupta cinematographed this film 'Nagorik' in realistic way. In this, artists Satindra Bhattacharya, Prova Debi, Kali Banerjee, Sova Sen, Ketaki Dutta, Geeta Shome & Ajit Banerjee did their roles effectively!

This is 70th anniversary year of 'Nagorik' (1952) which later proved that Ghatak was real pioneer of our Neo-realistic Cinema!

I still remember watching this film during our Film Appreciation Course at FTII in 1989! That time his elder daughter Samhita Ghatak was also with us!

Tribute to this genius & his this film!!

- Manoj Kulkarni 

 BENIGNI..70 & 'LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL' 25!

Here is picture of one of my topmost favourite films in the world cinema.. 'Oscar' winner Italian 'Life is Beautiful' (1997).

It's an exclusive joyous scene of Actor-Filmmaker Roberto Benigni with his actress wife Nicoletta Braschi and that time child artist Giorgio Cantarin!

Today is 70th Birthday of Benigni and  this is  25th anniversary year of this his masterpiece!

Regards!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

CONGRATULATIONS!

It's great news that, Mr. Rishi Sunak is set to become Britain's first Indian-origin Prime Minister!

This is happening in the 75th year of our India's Independence!

Really proud moment for us!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"Tumne mujhe dekha 

hokar meherban.."

Remembered this song..when remembered Majroohsahab's kindly meeting to me in.. Mushaira!

Tribute to favourite Urdu Poet & Lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri ji on 103rd Birth - Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Tribute to legendary romantic Filmmaker of our Popular Indian Cinema..Yash Chopra ji on 90th Birth Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

FRENCH NEW WAVE FILMMAKERS WITH SCREENWRITER!

Here is exclusive picture of two leading filmmakers of French New Wave.. Jean-Luc Godard ('Breathless'/1960 fame) and Francois Truffaut ('The 400 Blows'/1959 fame).

They are with their screenwriter Suzanne Schiffmann who also assisted Truffaut for film 'Fahrenheit' (1966). Today is her birth anniversary!

Tribute to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

FILM CRITICS WHO TURNED TO NEW WAVE FILMMAKING!

Here is rare picture of two of the leading filmmakers of French New Wave.. Claude Chabrol and Jean-Luc Godard in the office of 'Cahiers du cinema'!

Before starting career as film directors, they were critics for this influential film magazine. Francois Truffaut was also with them! One of the founders of this, was renowned French film theorist Andre Bazin!

Then Chabrol made 'Le Beau Serge' (1958), Truffaut made 'The 400 Blows' (1959) & Godard made 'Breathless' (1960) became the landmark films of French New Wave!

Tribute to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GODARD WITH HIS TYPICAL REMARK!

An exclusive picture of..giant of German Expressionism (Metropolis/1927 fame) Fritz Lang and master of French New Wave (Breathless/1960 fame) Jean-Luc Godard..in conversation!

Fritz Lang appeared in Godard's film 'Le Mepris' (1963).

Homage to both of them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GODARD..NO MORE!

Legend of French New Wave Cinema..Jean-Luc Godard!

The last living legend from the pioneers of French New Wave Cinema.. Jean-Luc Godard passed away day before yesterday at the age of 91!

 

Godard filming 'Breathless' (1960) with cameraman Raoul Coutard!

"Films should have a Beginning, a Middle, and an End”; “Yes, But not necessarily in that order!”
....By saying this, the French-Swiss filmmaker Godard broke conventional process of filmmaking and developed his revolutionary style!

In this he worked in nonlinear narrative structure, used a handheld camera & jump cuts. His films like first internationally acclaimed 'Breathless' (1960) and 'Le Mepris' (1963) showed this effectively!

In his almost 60 years of long film career Godard made about 45 films upto 'The Image Book' (2018). He received various prestigious awards in festivals like 'Cannes' and got Honorary 'Oscar'!

I wrote a lot on Godard and a decade ago I published special issue of my 'Chitrasrushti' on entire New Wave Cinema!

Homage to this genius!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

IT'S CINEMA DAY!

'Cinema Paradiso' one of my most favourite films of World Cinema...            I remembered on this 'National Cinema Day'!

I wrote a lot on this Italian film made in 1988. Giuseppe Tornatore wrote, co-produced & directed this film recalls his childhood of falling in love with the moving pictures! This also showed the  friendship between a boy and projectionist. Salvatore Cascio and Philippe Noiret did these roles naturally!

This film won 'Oscar' of 'Best Foreign Language Film'!

A Tribute on this day!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It's sad that, great last leader of Soviet Union.. Mikhail Gorbachev is no more!

This 'Nobel Peace Prize' - winner ended the Cold War! Still remember the reforms he introduced..'Glasnost' (openness) & 'Perestroika' (restructuring).

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SILVER JUBILEE ANNIVERSARY OF 'TITANIC'!

James Cameron while filming love song on Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet!

'Titanic' (1997)..one of my most favourite romantic Hollywood films. This is its 25th anniversary year! And yesterday was the birthday of its Canadian filmmaker James Cameron!

This film was based on the true  incident of sinking of RMS Titanic in north Atlantic ocean (1912). Known for making science fictions..James Cameron had written, co-produced & directed this same title film superbly! He also co-edited this, which was brilliantly filmed by American cinematographer Russell Carpenter.

James Cameron while filming climax on Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet!

In this handsome Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio played a lively character of young artist Jack and beautiful English actress Kate Winslet portrayed royal graceful Rose! Their romanticism and intense emotions touched the hearts!

American musician James Horner (whose death anniversary recently happened) had composed the romantic tunes for this film. And famous Canadian singer Celine Dion nicely sung its love song "My Heart Will Go On.."

This critically acclaimed film achieved big commercial success & won 11 Oscar Awards!

It's a Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Friendship is beyond all relationships
We have to preserve the precious Friendship
It's rare getting true friend!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

[Haiku]
(I wrote this on the occasion of this 'Friendship Day'!)

 Scripted Political Drama?!

(On Maharashtra Political Scenario!)

'BOBBY'S GOLDEN MOMENT!

Beautiful (teenage) Dimple Kapadia's Introducing Shot as & in.. 'Bobby' made by RK!

Now that is 50 years old story!

Birthday Regards to her!!🌹

- Manoj Kulkarni

QU YUAN..FATHER OF CHINESE POETRY!

There is also remembrance of ancient Chinese Poet Qu Yuan! In tribute to his memory 'Dragon Boat Festival' happened there!

He is known for his patriotic & classical poetry. In this, anthology of his poems 'Chu Ci' is famous. He also expressed the suffering of ordinary people through his metaphors!

Besides, he is regarded as one of the most prominent authors of romanticism in Chinese literature!

Just saw these famous lines from his poem 'Li Sao'...

"Long long had been my road and far far was the journey;

I would go up and down to seek my desire!"

He is called the 'Father of Chinese Poetry'!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

REMEMBRANCE OF ROMANTIC RUSSIAN POET ALEXANDER PUSHKIN ON HIS 223RD BIRTH ANNIVERSARY!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Oh, that's we really need..

Comprehensive pure environment..natural, social & loving

I hope..will achieve it!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

(Haiku on this 'World Environment Day'!)

DEEPIKA IN '75TH CANNES' JURY!

This is commendable that, one of the pretty talented actresses of our young Indian Cinema ('Gehraiyaan' fame) Deepika Padukone is in the jury of this '75th Cannes Film Festival'!

Other members in this jury for the competition section includes Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, Italian actress Jasmine Trinca, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace, English actress-writer-producer Rebecca Hall, French - director Ladj Ly, American director Jeff Nichols, Norwegian director Joachim Trier..And French actor-filmmaker Vincent Lindon is president of jury!

'Mastani' of bollywood, various awards winner Deepika Padukone is also known for her produced-acted contemporary social film 'Chhapaak'! She also worked in hollywood!

Congrats to her and regards to all!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'NEECHA NAGAR' HONOURED AT 'CANNES'..75!

'75th Cannes Film Festival' is going to happen now! This is also 75th anniversary year of our Indian cinema's victory in that festival.

That was Chetan Anand's 'Neecha Nagar' (1946) which won the top award 'Grand Prix du Festival International du Film' (now called 'Palme d’Or') there at Cannes!

My special article on this our pioneering film in social realism published on my this blog 'Chitrasrushti' (Filmworld) on 27th Oct.,2017. Please see it!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBERING 'OSCAR' HONOURED RAY!

Our great filmmaker Satyajit Ray with 'Honorary Oscar'!

Today is 30th Death Anniversary of one of the great filmmakers of world cinema..our 'Bharatratna' Satyajit Ray!

He considered as complete filmmaker who did scripting (with himself sketched storyboard), directing, music scoring & editing of his own films.

Satyajit Ray's renowned 'Apu Trilogy'!

He made 36  films including feature, documentary & short among which 'Apu Trilogy' ('Pather Panchali'/1955, 'Aparajito'/1956, & 'Apur sansar'/1959) is renowned! And other films like 'Mahanagar' (1963), 'Charulata' (1964) & 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' (1977) are notable!

He received 32 national and many international awards in prestigious film festivals.
Before his passing, Ray was honoured by the Academy at '64th Oscar Awards' in 1992. And that was the Honorary Award, which he received in hospital.

Humble Homage to Manikda!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Let the holy light of Easter come

to spread the purity in the world!

Let the holy light of Easter come

with the message of brotherhood!

Let the holy light of Easter come

with lot of love for the world!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

Salute to father of our Indian Constitution & great social reformer..'Bharat Ratna' Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on 131st Birth Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPRING SECLUSION!

I just wrote this poem on the occasion of birth anniversary of romantic poet William Wordsworth!

 

Oh Daffodil,

They says 'Spring is here'

Then why this despair?

Oh Daffodil,

Like remembering beloved,

Is this your seclusion?

Oh Daffodil,

Let us bloom again..

New Love is waiting!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

'Oscar' winner 'Coda' is not bollywood's 'Khamoshi' (1996).
Before that there was film 'Beyond Silence', which I watched in our 'IFFI', 1995.

INSPIRATIONAL 'CODA' WON 'BEST PICTURE OSCAR'!

Pretty Emilia Jones & other artists on poster of American film 'Coda' (2021).

'94th Academy Awards' ceremony over & 'Coda' won 'Best Picture' award in it! This film also won 'Best Adapted Screenplay' and 'Best Supporting- Actor' awards!

This American film is a remake of French film 'La Famille Belier' (2014) directed by Eric Lartigau. It was originally based on the story & screenplay wrote by Victoria Bedo & Thomas Bidegain. In this, teenage girl helps her deaf parents in their daily work and discovers her voice of singing! Beautiful French singer-actress Anne Peichert known by stage name Louane Emera played this character Paula superbly and won 'Cesar Award' of 'Most Promising Actress'!

Pretty Anne Peichert & others in French film 'La Famille Belier'!

Sian Heder wrote and directed English version 'Coda' (means Child Of Deaf Adults). And she won 'Best Adapted Screenplay' award! In this the only hearing girl in deaf family helps her parents in their struggling business, while pursuing her passion of music! Beautiful Welsh actress, singer, songwriter Emilia Annis I. Jones played this role Ruby nicely! With her.. Marlee Martin acted as mother, Daniel Durant as brother and Troy Kotsur as father who won 'Best Supporting Actor' award!

Sian excellently made this family film which became inspirational! Its emotional scenes intensely cinematographed by Paula - Huidobro and Geraud Brisson appropritely edited the film. Music composer Marius de Vries made sensitive tunes for it!

Producers of this film are Fabrice Gianfermi, Jerôme Seydoux, Patrick Wachsberger and Philippe Rousselet who spoke on this occasion while receiving 'Oscar' award!

Congratulations to entire team of this film!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

JAPANESE FILM 'DRIVE MY CAR' WON 'OSCAR'!

Hidetoshi Nishijima & Toko Miura in Japanese film 'Drive My Car' (2021).

'94th Academy Awards' ceremony over and Japanese film 'Doraibu mai ka' ('Drive My Car') won 'Best International Feature Film' award in it!

Based on renowned Japanese writer Haruki Murakami's short story of same name.. 'Doraibu mai ka' is co-written & directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi! It's a road movie which superbly cinematographed by Hidetoshi Shinomiya & edited by Azusa Yamazaki!

'Drive My Car's Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi with 'Oscar' award!

'Drive My Car' is an emotional story of stage actor-director who learns to cope with his wife's un - expected passing. This also focuses on husband and wife relations! Famous Japanese actor.. Hidetoshi Nishijima intensely performed protagonist & Reika Kirishina acted as his wife. And pretty Toko Miura accompanied him in this journey!

Hamaguchi is a director who has been influenced by filmmakers like ('In the Mood for Love' fame) Wong Kar-wai! So we can observe such kind of work in it!

Congrats to him & entire team of 'Doraibu mai ka'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 LIV ULLMANN RECEIVED 'OSCAR' HONOUR!

Veteran Norwegian Actress Liv Ullmann with 'Oscar' Honour!

Two days before this main '94th Oscar Awards', a special celebration happened in which legends of cinema were conferred with its honours. They are..Screenwriter Elaine May (89), actor Samuel Jackson (73) & actress Liv Ullmann (83).

Congratulations to them!!!

When this honorary award was announced to my favourite Liv Ullmann, I wrote on her here. There is also my special article on her 'LIV..NORWEGIAN ICON OF CINEMA!' which published on my this Blog 'CHITRASRUSHTI' (FILMWORLD) on 17th Dec. 2020. Please see it!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'OSCAR' 2022 SPECIAL!

PRETTY PENELOPE COMPETING FOR 'OSCAR'!

Famous Hollywood filmmaker Steven Spielberg (who is competing -

for 'Best Director' with the new adaptation of 'West Side Story') with..

Spanish pretty actress Penelope Cruz (competing for 'Best Actress') 

in the 'Oscars' nominations lunch party!

My favourite Spanish Actress beautiful Penelope Cruz is competing for.. 'Best Actress' with her 'Madres paralelas' performance in this '94th Oscar' awards!

She is the first and only Spanish actress to be nominated & to win Academy award. That 'Best Supporting Actress' award she won In 2008, for her role in Woody Allen's 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona'! Now this time she is in the race for 'Best Actress' with her role in 'Madres Paralelas' (Parallel Mothers) made by her friend renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar! I already wrote about this film when Penelope won 'Best Actress' award for this at '78th Venice International Film Festival'. It's a story of two women who give birth their babies same day & she played one of them a photographer Janis intensely!

Australian actress Nicole Kidman & Spanish actor Javier Bardem

(who is also competing for 'Best Actor') in film 'Being the Ricardos'!

Other four actresses in this competition are from US & UK! Except famous Australian -American actress Nicole - Kidman who is nominated for her role in film 'Being the Ricardos'. In this she has played the character of Lucille Ball an American actress & comedian of famous Tele sitcom 'I Love Lucy'! And Spanish actor (Penelope's spouse) Javier  Bardem did the role of Cuban-American film-tv producer Desi Arnaz!

There is another biographical film on television personality in this section and that is American actress & producer Jessica Chastain's 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. It's a focus on 'The PTL Club' fame talk show host Tammy Faye. It's based on the documentary of same name made by Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato of 'World of Wonder'! Jessica beautifully portrayed this character, so she got the nomination in this section! Somehow, I remembered one neo-noir film which we friends watched during our college days and that is 'Eyes of Laura Mars'. There is absolutely no similarities between these two films!

Pretty Kristen Stewart in film 'Spencer'!

Then there is beautiful Kristen Stewart is competing with title role of film 'Spencer'. I have already written about this also, when it was premiered in the.. '78th Venice International Film Festival'. British screenwriter Steven Knight wrote and Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain co - produced & directed this film. It focuses on the personality of.. Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales her marriage and quitting royal family! And Kristen portrayed pretty Diana superbly in it!

After these, there comes English actress Olivia Colman with her role in film 'The Lost Daughter'. This is a psychological drama based on a novel of same name by Italian writer Elena Ferrante. It's about a woman's beach vacation which takes a dark turn! This actress is known for her comedic and dramatic roles, but in this film she did different matured role!

That means there are three actresses with biographical films' roles in this section & one is from psycho-thriller! Compared to them, Penelope's character in 'Madres Paralelas' is contemporary & she did it intensely!

This 94th 'Oscars' ceremony will be held on Sunday, 27th March, 2022.

Best wishes to all of them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni