hello readers

i finally got my hands on water, a movie by deepa mehta which is currently entered to the oscars as canada’s entry for best foreign film honours. my quest for water began a couple of weeks ago, when news of its excellent soundtrack was out, courtesy of ar rahman, of course. i scoured the whole of kl for its soundtrack, finally succumbing to the fact that i ain’t gonna be lucky tis time, so i’ve placed an order for it. sigh. but the movie, well, by chance, a new dvd shop opened its doors nearby, and wallah….. what a find!

water is set in the late 1930s, a story about widows and the petrification of the ancient manu shastras revolving the supposed alienation of widows from the traditional hindu society. just any other of deepa’s other films, water continues her trend of naming conventions (based on natural elements, her other movies includes earth and fire) and being socio-politically daring for the normal audience (her other subjects includes lesbian relationships and racial tensions and other ‘items’…)

the story revolves around the lives of a group of widows who are forced into a life of seclusion and social detachment. it also touches on themes such as child marriage, the misuse of the caste system, Ghandism, revolutionary thinking, forced prostitution and somewhat traditionally unacceptable love between a widow and a man.

beautiful scenery (set around the banks of the Ganges) and beautiful cast aside (surprise surprise…John Abraham and the gorgeous Lisa Ray ~ she’s Indian!!!! gosh…step aside Aish, i’ve found a new face for my angel…hmmm), the film is a masterpiece for the way all of the side elements are weaved into. this is not your average hindi filmi with running around trees and nightclub dancing, but a film best savoured with an empty stomach. the dialogue is just brilliant (i know nuts about hindi, but the subtitling was perfect, i was into the movie!). the child actress deserves a nomination for best supporting actress alright, she was brilliant. and seema biswas was just, well, in her element. great acting, greater script, and simply one of the most haunting songs to have churned from the creative amrit that is ar rahman.

in short, water is like a tidal wave packaged into a bisleri bottle. its a damn good movie, and should the academy accept its entry into the main list, then goodness gracious me, i don’s see any other movies coming near it.

water….. what a movie…….

ciao….

plain wattery eyed joe