Water, directed by Deepa Mehta, is Canada's submission this year as the film to be considered for best foreign language picture for the upcoming academy award season.Water is in like a Terrance Malick film, say something like The New World. It's cinemotography is beautiful and takes you to a unique place, filled with naturalistic imagry, yet has a tendency to be slow and subtle.
Water is like Krzysztof Kieslowski's film Trois couleurs: Bleu. I say this because Water is the third film in Mehta's 3 film Elements series (Fire, Earth & Water), and while Blue was the 1st film in Kieslowski's Three Color Series (White, Blue, and Red) you can see why I would draw a connection between Blue and Water. Plus, Canadian actress Lisa Ray, does an excellent job in a way that can be compared to the excellent subtle acting of Juliette Binoche (Blue).
Water is like Memoirs of a Geisha. Although the story of Water takes place in a widow house and Memoirs takes place in a Geisha house, the primarily female cast with unique female dynamics is certainly at play. Especially as Lisa Ray's character is herself a widow prostitute. Also, is it odd that I would draw a comparison between Ken Watanabe (Memoirs) and John Abraham (Water)?
Water is like Osama. Even though Osama tells the story of oppresion of a 12-year-old Afghan girl forced to deal with the realities of the Taliban in her country and Water tells the story of a 7-year-old girl who is oppressed by being married young and then widowed and sent off to a seperate world of deprivation of widows where the girls is to live forever. Both stories are sad in this way.
Water is like Born into Brothels. Obviously Born into Brothels is a documentary that takes place in contemporary times and Water is a historical drama that takes place in the 1930s both stories paint a sad picture of social ritual in India, and how the historical role is still a challenge facing present day India.
Water is like Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding. Obviously both films take place in India, and while there content is different, I enjoy the Indian influenced music in both of these films very much. There is something about it, especially with shown with colors and dancing that is very very beautiful.
Related Tags: Water, Deepa Mehta, Terrence Malick, The New World, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Trois couleurs Bleu, Lisa Ray, Juliette Binoche, Memoirs of a Geisha, Ken Watanabe, John Abraham, Osama, Afghanistan, Taliban, Female Oppression, Widows, Orphans, Born into Brothels, Mira Nair, Monsoon Wedding, India, History, Canada, Foreign Films, Academy Awards, Film, Sarala
9 comments:
nice comparisons.
but..wasn't blue the first of the three colours trilogy?
Water is like a magical and mystical journey into sorrow and hope at the same time. I loved that film.
Wow, you've sold me.
And yes, I think Trois Couleurs: Bleu was the first of the trilogy (they go in order of the colors on the French flag). But I got your point, RC. Sounds like a good one.
I haven't seen any of the other Mehta films. Comments? Should I start with Water or another?
Well, you've sold me....wonder when it will come to the local Video Hut?
(here's a hint: don't bother waiting. It won't happen.)
Will, you can start with any of her Elements trilogy (Fire is the natural starting point), but avoid her less astute films like Bollywood/Hollywood. Water is definitely her most visually stunning work.
Paula, try checking the local Indian video rental places: the ones here have been carrying Water for over a year now.
I was skeptical about the movie but after watching the clip, I must admit that the movie looks very good. Have to check it out.
This film looks awesome, I'm starting to think it will get a nom for Foreign Language Film. Right now I think it will be
* Volver
* Pan's Labyrinth
* Indigines
* The Lives of Others
* Water
Pretty good shortlist there Carlinhos, but I do have a sneaking feeling that The Curse of the Golden Flower might push in ahead of The Lives of Others. Then again, I'm very often wrong about these things.
I haven't seen Water but I want to. I saw Born in Brothels and it touched my heart in the deepest places... it was filled w/ pain but also happiness. I hope we get this here in Bahrain.
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