review : Owl and the Sparrow

Director - Stephane Gauger
Written by - Stephane Gauger
Cast - Cat Ly, Le Thu Lu, Pham Thi Han

Country - Vietnam [2007]


An orphan escapes her workplace to the city where she makes a living selling flowers on the street. A zookeeper leads a solitary life with animals as companions. An air hostess is in a curtained relationship with a married pilot.
This becomes the setting for a film about the everyday incidents that go unnoticed. The film also sheds a dim light on the child labor situation that exists in most asian countries and is sadly accepted as normal.
Well received at film festivals, the film makes for a emotionally moving tale.

review : Three Times

Director - Hou Hsiao-Hsien
Written by - Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Chu T'ien-wen
Cast - Shu Qi, Chang Chen

Country - Taiwan [2005]


As can be guessed from the title, the film is cut into 3 parts.The first begins in a pool hall, establishing the connection between a young man who has recently been drafted and his amorous interest in May who works there.
The second part is set in 1911 and is shot as a silent film, with dialogue appearing in text on slides.
The last part is set in modern times amid the tempestuous nature of youth.
The film reveals the promise of love to be one that reaches across lifetimes. Although love remains the theme in each part of the film, the setting or the environment in which love resides, changes. A slow piece, the film is more suited to a lazy, rainy sunday.

review : Harishchandrachi Factory

Director - Paresh Mokashi
Written by - Paresh Mokashi
Cast - Nandu Madhav, Vibhavari Deshpande

County - India [2010]

1913, British India. A man Dhundiraj Phalke, watches the motion pictures for the first time. The film narrates the story of this man , as he struggles to create the first Indian motion picture. From the sale of personal belongings to gather funds to comic frustrations with first time actors and the Phalke's trip to Britain the film keeps us in amused anticipation. Although with some sad turns the underlying energy of the film is highly positive.
Today the highest honor in the Indian film industry is named after this ambitious and enterprising man, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.