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Reviews
Despite the Gods (2012)
A very different take on Bollywood!
Jennifer Lynch, daughter of cult filmmaker David Lynch, a recovering addict and hard- working single mother, returns to the director's chair with an ambitious project that is to test her skills and the entire crew's sanity. What follows is a document that brings you behind the scenes on the set of Lynch's Bollywood/Hollywood action film about a man- eating snake goddess. Penny Vozniak, the director, is the one responsible for this "behind- the-scenes" madness that witnesses how Lynch slowly loses her grip over a much- extended eight-month shoot. And the result is this crazy journey into the shire madness behind the camera. Among the many setbacks suffered are a technician's strike forcing production to move to Kerala; an 11-day wait for dailies to become available; and cops being called in following complaints about filming at prayer time in a Muslim neighborhood. Showing signs of flagging under pressure, Lynch is told bluntly by producer Menon: "If you can't hack it, quit." A must see.
Exotica, Erotica, Etc. (2015)
Wow!!
This film is just mesmerizing! The ocean-roaming stories of sailors, featuring Sandy, a former prostitute who reflects on her maritime lovers. The moments of lonely and transactional physical connection are set against a haunting visual backdrop of vast ports, listing ships, oppressive drinking holes and waiting women. The usually Greek and South American men alternate their lives on-board that are both exciting and mundane with visits to the women in bars. A hypnotic soundtrack that merges with the soliloquies of Sandy and the sailors creates a poetic and meditative beauty, which is nothing short of sensational. Highy recommended! 9 points!
Missing in the Land of Gods (2012)
Touched by the story
I literally stumbled across this film while researching about westerners traveling to India, and was deeply moved by it. As a mother of two sons slightly older than Ryan I can only empathize with his parents, and can't imagine what would I do if one of my kids went missing in an overseas country (?) There are more than a billion people in India, and to find one person among them – where do you turn? Who do you talk to? Where do you start and where do you stop searching. I need to say I was not impressed with how some of the Indian officials dealt with the two Australian parents in the documentary. It's like "you guys trust in god, and your son will be fine". I guess the filmmakers didn't want to make a direct comment about that, but they've made a strong point by showing the two cultures side by side and letting the viewers make their own connections. And I like how the film follows the parents in their desperate search while the whole journey gradually becomes an exploration of the contrast between Eastern and Western thoughts and relation to God. In that sense, the film was edited very well. Every new clip adds more to the culture clash, and helps in building the suspense of the search.. And the observational style of filmmaking helps to bring to life the anguish of the hunt for the young Australian.