Beyond Bollywood International Film Festival

December 8, 2014January 4, 2017 Emma9 Comments

Meet the Patels (2014)

This documentary from LA-based brother-sister team, Ravi (actor/main subject) and Geeta (director) Patel, is scary relatable for desi (and other singles) all over the US! When he turned 30 a few years ago, first gen Indian-American Ravi (who’d had only one real relationship with a white woman) agreed to try the traditional Indian way of finding a wife; this (of course) brought joy to his mother and father in North Carolina. Geeta, his older sis, came along to film the experience.

The family went off to the Punjab region of India to look at eligible single ladies (fellow Patels); Ravi felt odd about the scenario. However, he also admitted that he loved the way he grew up- with a strong sense of pride in being a Patel and having an extensive community; he wanted that for his future. After the trip to India (doesn’t work for him), Ravi says he’ll accept arranged introductions to women born/raised in the U.S. He also attends a large marriage conference (for singles of the Patel community in the U.S.); it looks very similar to ISNA.

We learn that as tough as it is for Ravi, Geeta went though the same situations (she thinks she’s had 200 arranged dates since age 20- wow!) The true stars if the doc are the parents- Champa (mom) and Vasant (dad), who proclaims that being single is akin to being a “loser.” But they are no stereotype- they are loving/caring/thoughtful parents who want their kids to be happy… and someday soon give them grandchildren. In the end, Ravi does find his match, but she’s not who you’d expect! This film is laugh-out-loud hilarious; my friends and I all thought so.

Brahmin Bulls (2013)

This is a powerful (yet subtle) film from a husband-wife team (Indian-Americans) who are friends of the lead actor (Sendhil Ramamurthy from Heroes fame; he is American with South Indian roots). Director/writer Mahesh Pailoor and Ramamurthy have known each other since undergrad; this role was written for the actor. The focus is on the strained/distant relationship between 30-something L.A. architect, Sid Sharma (Ramamurthy) and his professor father, Ash (internationally-acclaimed Indian veteran actor, Roshan Seth). Mary Steenburgen has a crucial role in the film, too. Wow, what cast! (By the way, if you’re a fan of tennis, you’ll especially enjoy this film. Ramamurthy had a scholarship in undergrad, he said in a post-show panel interview).

When Ash drops in from Boston to attend a conference in LA. (you’ll discover the reason why), Sid is very taken aback. He’s going through a transition in his marriage and at work, and doesn’t feel comfortable having the old man around in his house. Both men are brooding, charming, intelligent, but also quite stubborn; this is the making for great dramatic conflict. However, they have more in common than you’d expect! My friends said they liked the movie a lot, as did I.

Please Join #NS10 – A Fan-Based 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Premiere of North & South AND a Read-Along of the Book!

November 3, 2014November 3, 2014 EmmaLeave a comment

Richard Armitage US

Daniela Denby-Ashe (Margaret Hale) and Richard Armitage (John Thornton) in North & South. (Premiere date: November 14, 2004.)

CELEBRATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF NORTH & SOUTH WITH US! The weekend of Nov. 14 marks the 10th anniversary of the BBC series North & South, and we are planning a fan-based, online GLOBAL celebration.

Thanks to Tara Jarrett for the terrific “Selfie-While-Watching” idea!

First:
The Facebook page for the initiative is here: http://bit.ly/NS10th
FB event page: http://bit.ly/NS10EVENTPAGE
Twitter Account: Twitter: NS10 @NandS10th
Email account: ns10thanniversary at gmail.com

Here’s how you can get involved:

During the weekend of November 14, watch N&S and take a selfie of you watching (Shy people: if you, like me, are shy about taking a selfie that includes your face, don’t be concerned. My selfie is going to be of my TV with my legs stretched out on the coffee table in front of my sofa!).
Post your photo on…

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Spoiler-Free Review: Gone Girl (2014)

October 28, 2014October 29, 2014 Emma4 Comments

gone_girl_meet — Ben Affleck (Nick) & Rosamund Pike (Amy) meet

Marriage is the main villain (as one film critic noted) in this diabolical film directed by David Fincher (Seven, The Social Network, House of Cards). What goes on between two people within a marraige is a mystery to outsiders. And individually, we can be a mystery to our loved ones. It’s not a date movie, though one ad mentioned those words. I went to see this film during its opening weekend with a group of friends; the two who read the novel (by Gillian Flynn) said it was very close to the book. One of my friend’s really liked Affleck’s low-key (almost a regular guy) performance, as did I. I only read a few chapters before seeing the film, but it’s very good (Flynn has a way with today’s modern language and dark humor).

gone_girl_sugar — Nick wipes away some sugar from Amy’s lips

Fincher knows how to set the mood in his work- he succeeds well here, too. The music, color palette, pacing- it all works together to keep the viewer interested. One friend said that it really kept her attention, unlike many recent films. Rosamund Pike (a Brit who had to gain and lose 15 lbs. twice for this role) gets to showcase her talents with her complex character. Pike wasn’t well-known to US viewers, though I’d seen her in different films and series before (being an anglophile). One friend commented: “Women can be crazy!”

gone_girl_party — Amy and Nick at a book launch party

The supporting cast (yes, even Tyler Perry) does a fine job. There are a few scenes that will be difficult for more sensitive viewers, including one involving a large quantity of blood. In a pivotal scene near the end, blood is used in a creative (metaphorical) way. In the middle of this film, I remember thinking to myself that I was glad to be single!