A Separation

A Separation

2011/123 minutes/Iran/Persian

Directed by Asghar Farhadi

Produced by Asghar Farhadi

Written by Asghar Farhadi

Starring Leila Hatami

Peyman Moaadi

Shahab Hosseini

Sareh Bayat

Sarina Farhadi

Music by Sattar Oraki

Cinematography Mahmoud Kalari

Editing by Hayedeh Safiyari

A Separation (in Persian: جدایی نادر از سیمین‎ Jodái-e Náder az Simin, "The separation of Nader from Simin") is a critically acclaimed 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, starring Leila Hatami, Peyman Moaadi, Shahab Hosseini, Sareh Bayat and Sarina Farhadi. It focuses on an Iranian middle-class couple who separate, and the conflicts that arise when the husband hires a lower-class caretaker for his elderly father, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

A Separation won the 84th Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, becoming the first Iranian movie to win the award. It received the Golden Bear for Best Film and the Silver Bears for Best Actress and Best Actor at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to win the Golden Bear. It also won the 69th Golden Globe Awards for the Best Foreign Language Film. The film was nominated for the Best Original Screenplay Academy Award. a rare occurrence for a foreign language film.

Plot:

Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) have been married for fourteen years and live with their eleven-year-old daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi) in Tehran. The family belongs to the urban upper middle-class and the couple is on the verge of separation. Simin wants to leave the country with her husband and daughter, as she does not want Termeh to grow up under the prevailing conditions. This desire is not shared by Nader. He is concerned for his elderly father (Ali-Asghar Shahbazi), who lives with the family and suffers from Alzheimer's disease. When Nader decides to stay in Iran, Simin files for divorce.

The family court judges the couple's problems insufficient to warrant divorce and rejects Simin's application. Simin leaves her husband and daughter and moves back in with her parents. On the recommendation of his wife, Nader hires Razieh (Sareh Bayat), a young, deeply religious woman from a poor suburb, to take care of his father while he works at a bank. Razieh has applied for the job without consulting her hot-tempered husband Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini), whose approval, according to tradition, would have been required. Her family is financially dependent on the work, and she takes her daughter to the house with her.

Razieh soon becomes overwhelmed by taking care of Nader's father, which is physically and emotionally demanding. On the first day of work, when she finds that the old man is incontinent, she phones a religious hotline to ask if it would be a sin for her to clean him. Assured that it would be acceptable, she continues in the job, but later hopes to get her husband into the position, without revealing that she had first worked there. She finds the work very heavy, especially as she is pregnant. Nader interviews Hodjat and hires him, but Hodjat, who is heavily in debt, is jailed by his creditors on the day he is due to start, and so Razieh returns to work for Nader.

Whilst Razieh is cleaning, Nader's father wanders out of the apartment. Razieh runs to find him, and sees him at a newstand from across a busy road.

The next day, Nader and Termeh return to an empty house. Termeh discovers her grandfather lying unconscious on the floor in his bedroom, with one of his arms tied to the bed. When Razieh returns, an argument ensues between her and Nader. He tells her to leave after accusing her of having stolen money from his room (unbeknownst to Nader, Simin was shown taking the money in an earlier scene to pay movers). Razieh returns to protest her innocence, and to request her payment for the day's work. Outraged, Nader shoves Razieh out of the apartment. She falls in the stairwell and hurries out of the building. Hodjat's sister later calls Simin to inform her that Razieh is in the hospital, and they discover that she has suffered a miscarriage.

A court is assigned to determine the cause of the miscarriage and Nader's potential responsibility for it. If it is proved that Nader knew of Razieh's pregnancy and caused the miscarriage, he could be sentenced to one to three years imprisonment for murder. Much of the film revolves around this issue. Nader accuses Razieh of neglecting his father. The hot-headed and aggressive Hodjat physically confronts Nader on several occasions, and threatens him, his family, and Termeh's teacher, who testifies on Nader's behalf. When Hodjat is sent out of a court hearing for an outburst, Razieh reveals that he is deeply depressed, and that he is taking antidepressants for these issues. Nader learns from Razieh's young daughter that the reason she was absent the day Nader came home early was because she had gone with Razieh to see a doctor, which Razieh had avoided revealing earlier. This news, combined with Hodjat's explosive temper, causes Nader to wonder if Hodjat is physically abusive to Razieh and had caused her miscarriage.

Termeh protects her father with a false statement and Simin attempts to arrange a financial deal with Razieh and Hodjat, to compensate them for the loss of their unborn child. Nader is initially outraged by Simin's suggestion that they pay Razieh and Hodjat, as he feels that it would be an admission of guilt. The morality of all of the characters is called into question as it is revealed that Nader lied about his knowledge of Razieh's pregnancy, and that Razieh has serious doubts as to whether Nader's actions caused the miscarriage. After Razieh had seen Nader's father at the newsstand, she was hit by a car in an attempt to protect him from being hit. Later that same night, she began to experience great pain, likely the beginning of her miscarriage.

Eventually, everyone—including Hodjat's debtors—meets at the home of Razieh and Hodjat to consummate the payment. Nader, still wary about the true cause of Razieh's miscarriage (and it is likely he does not know about her getting hit by a car) writes the check and slyly says he will give it to Hodjat, on the condition that Razieh swears on the Qur'an that his actions were the cause of her miscarriage. Despite Hodjat's urgings, Razieh cannot bring herself to swear, as she believes it will be a sin that could endanger their daughter. Totally dejected, Hodjat breaks down, hits himself violently and storms out of his home—Nader withholds the money.

The last scene is at the family court, and the three: Nader, Simin and Termeh, are wearing black, indicative in Persian culture of a death in the family. The judge makes their separation permanent, and asks Termeh about which parent she chooses to live with. She tearfully says that she has made a decision, but asks that the judge tell her parents to wait outside in the hallway before she tells him. Nader and Simin are shown waiting silently and separately in the hallway, on opposite sides of a glass partition, and the credits roll.

SREE PAARVATHIYUDE PAADAM

SREE PAARVATHIYUDE PAADAM

Mediaperson Baiju Chandran returns to fiction with a short film called ‘Sreeparvathiyude Paadam.' An adaptation of a eponymous short story by E. Harikumar, the movie trails a young woman's journey to her ancestral home in the countryside. The heart-warming story attempts to capture the different images, sounds, and even the smells of the countryside that the woman remembers and associates with her childhood.

Using a lucid storyline, the filmmaker attempts to highlight the bond between man and nature. A strong undercurrent of eco-feminism, where the female equates herself with the nature, is maintained through three characters representing three generations. While Madhavi, the protagonist, inherits her love for nature from her grandmother, Madhavi's little niece finds delight in the small wonders of the village landscape. Through Madhavi and her sister Sharada, the story also draws parallels between dreams and needs. Anjana Haridas debuts as Madhavi while Sona Nair dons the role of Saradha. The film also features noted director and actor M.G. Sasi and Valsala Menon. The film is Produced by Doordarshan Kendra, Thiruvananthapuram,

choosing E.Harikumar’s short story is its universal significance where one woman represents nature and other one represents selfishness of humanity.” says Baiju.

Baiju feels that people are not interested in serious movies and literature and instead, spend time on meaningless TV programmes. “My aim is to make the viewers aware of the need to protect our nature. I hope to create a good impact on the society with this film” he says.

baiju chandran

BAIJU CHANDRAN

Joined Doordarshan in 1984 and worked as Producer of News and Current Affairs Programme at Doordarshan Kendra, Thiruvananthapuram till 1999.Worked as Assistant Station Director, at DDK, Kohima during 1999-2000.Worked as Film Officer on Deputation at Kearala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC) during 2000-2002 and was in charge of Digital Studio, Documentaries and the programme ‘RANGOLI’ produced for Doordarshan.

Worked as Assistant Station Director at Programme Production Centre, Doordarshan, Guwahati (2002-2004) and presently working as Assistant Director Programmes at DDK, Thiruvananthapuram since 2004.

Produced more than 2000 live news bulletins and over 1000 programmes of various genres including Telefilms, Documentaries, Stage shows, Debates, Talkshows, Quiz Programmes etc. Major Programmes include:

Telefilm ‘SAKUNAM’ based on the short story by Kovilan in the Classic short story series produced by Doordarshan featuring Murali, Urmila Unni and Remya Nambisan in lead roles. (2006)

‘KALAM KEDUTHATHA KANAL’ Documentary in 35mm produced by Kerala State Chalachitra Akademy on renowned writer Ponkunnam Varkey. (2002)

‘NINACHALOZHUKIYA NALVAZHIKAL’ a two part Documentary on the naxalite period in the political history of Kerala produced by Doordarshan (1996). The film was shown in the competitive section of the Festival Internationale Programme Audio Visuel (FIPA) held at Biarritz, France and also at the Videotheque Festival, Paris, Mumbai International Film Festival (1998) and various festivals in and around Kerala.

‘ADOORINTE SARGAPRAPANCHAM’ Documentary on the renowned film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan (1995).

MAVOOR:MANUSHYA MANASAKSHIYUDE MUNNIL ORU CHODYACHINNAM on the Labour strike at Mavoor Gwaliyar Rayons. (1988)

Documentaries on eminent personalities Thakazhi, Basheer, Prem Nazir, O.V.Vijayan, M.Mukundan, Kunjunni Master, Artist Namboothiri, Santha P.Nair are the other major works.

Authored the biography of renowned poet and Jnanpith winner Prof. O.N.V.Kurup published by State Institute of Childrens Literature 2011

Co-authored the book ‘DRISHYA SHRAVYA MADHYAMANGAL’ published by Kerala State Language Institute and ‘MADHYAMA NIGHANDU’ published by D.C. Books.

Member, Board of Studies, Dept. of Communication and Journalism, University of Kerala, Board of Examiners and Guest faculty of Universities of Kerala, Calicut, Kannur and Mahatma Gandhi University, Centre for Development of Image Technology (C-Dit), Kerala Press Academy both under Govt. of Kerala and Journalism Institute under Trivandrum Press Club.

Closlely associated with the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) since its inception in 1995 as member of the organizing committee. Was member of the selection committee of Indian and Malayalam Film section of IFFK 2011. Worked as member of Jury of various Film / Media Festivals including Padmarajan Award for best Malayalam film and Script (2011) and Kerala State Media Award consecutively since 2005.

Won Adoor Bhasi Puraskaram and Chengarapally Parameswaran Potty Puraskaram for life time contributions to Media in 2010.

Namboodiri — Varayude Kulapathy

‘Namboodiri — Varayude Kulapathy'

Everyone is familiar with Artist Namboodiri's (K.M. Vasudevan Namboothiri) illustrations, whether it is a little boy with wonder in his eyes, looking up, women with prominent bosoms or simply landscapes, of temples or streets. But we have never seen them spring to life and do a jig, as in the credits of ‘Namboodiri — Varayude Kulapathy,' the documentary on Namboodiri, directed by Binuraj Kalapeedhom, under the banner of Ask Movies.

These graphics, done by Ajoy Kumar D., lead you into the life and times of thespian Namboodiri, who is as busy at age 86 as he was when he drew all over the walls of Karuvattu Mana in Ponnani, as a child. The winner of Raja Ravi Varma Award and an artist who has, throughout his life, engaged with art and art alone, and lived by it, Namboodiri wields the brush, sketch pencil, chisel or the hammer (for metal reliefs) with equal ease.

Travelling with Namboodiri

These aspects are brought to the viewer in descriptive visuals rather than a narrative style, so that Binuraj takes us along with Namboodiri to the locales that made him, his birthplace, and the Shukapuram temple near his house which had sculptures that influenced Namboodiri deeply. “I had this urge to draw and mould sculptures after seeing these,” says Namboodiri.

In the initial part of the 44-minute documentary, we see a child learning vedas, trying his hand at sculpture and drawing on the walls, all in black and white.

His guru, K.C.S. Panikkar, and life at the Art School in Chennai, which shaped his life into this direction, Cholamandalam, his innings at a Malayalam weekly, where he drew illustrations for the weekly for a long time, association with M.T. Vasudevan Nair and Aravindan are all brought back to us. (He did art direction for Aravindan's ‘Utharayanam' and won a State award for it). M.V. Devan and M.T. speak about Namboodiri. Apart from Ponnani, actual locations in Kozhikode, Kollam, Chennai and Kochi were used.

Tracing Namboodiri’s life

Some footage has been kept aside for his family and friends too, so that we get a fair idea of Namboodiri from childhood to his eighties. He has so positive an attitude and retirement seems to be just nowhere in sight. Namboodiri wears colourful shirts in the documentary, and Binuraj says he always asked whether the shots were close ups, full or ‘above the waist' to be prepared for it. “When I felt that a shot was not satisfactory, he would sense it and ask whether a retake was needed. It was such a pleasure and learning process, shooting him,” says Binuraj, who spent more than two years on this project, produced by Shafeer Abbas.

It is being readied to be sent to several film festivals. Yesudas sings, with music by Malkoms.

This is Binuraj's fourth documentary. The others were on M.K. Sanoo, former Supreme Court judge V.R. Krishna Iyer and the Marthoma Cathedral at Mulanthuruthy. He was art director of K.S. Prasad's ‘Comediyum, Mimicsum Pinne Njanum' and won the award for the art direction of it six years ago. His next project is a music-based feature film to be shot at Tanjavur and on the locations where ‘Malgudi Days' were shot, says Binuraj.

Song of the Little Road

Pather Panchali (Song of the Little Road)
1955, India. 115 min, B/W, In Bengali with subtitles. Credits Producer: Government of West Bengal Screenplay & Direction: Satyajit Ray, based on the novel "Pather Panchali" by Bibhutibhushan Banerjee. Cinematography: Subrata Mitra Editing: Dulal Dutta Art Direction: Bansi Chandragupta Sound: Bhupen Ghosh Music: Pandit Ravi Shankar U.S. Distributor: Merchant-Ivory/Sony Pictures Classics Cast Harihar, the Father: Kanu Banerjee Sarbajaya, the Mother: Karuna Banerjee Apu: Subir Banerjee Durga, young girl: Uma Das Gupta Durga, child: Runki Banerjee Indir Thakrun, Old Aunt: Chunibala Devi Candy seller: Haren Banerjee Summary The time is early twentieth century, a remote village in Bengal.The film deals with a Brahmin family, a priest - Harihar, his wife Sarbajaya, daughter Durga, and his aged cousin Indir Thakrun - struggling to make both ends meet. Harihar is frequently away from home on work. The wife is raising her mischievous daughter Durga and caring for elderly cousin Indir, whose independent spirit sometimes irritates her... Apu is born. With the little boy's arrival, happiness, play and exploration uplift the children's daily life. Durga and Apu share an intimate bond. They follow a candy seller whose wares they can not afford, enjoy the theatre, discover a train and witness a marriage ceremony. They even face death of their aunt - Indir Thakrun. Durga is accused of a theft. She fall ill after a joyous dance in rains of the monsoon. On a stormy day, when Harihar is away on work, Durga dies. On Harihar's return, the family leaves their village in search of a new life in Benaras. The film closes with an image of Harihar, wife and son - Apu, slowly moving way in an ox cart. Comments Pather Panchali is Ray's debut film, and the first film of his 'The Apu trilogy'. The remaining two films of the trilogy, Aparajito and Apur Sansar, follow Apu as the son, the man and finally the father. Pather Panchali has a universal humanist appeal. Though the film deals with the grim struggle for survival by a poor family, it has no trace melodrama. What is projected in stead is the respect for human dignity. The most loveable character is that of Indir Thakrun, an old, cynical, loving and storytelling aunt of Apu and Durga. It was played by an 80-year-old Chunibala, a retired theatre performer who relished coming back into the limelight after 30 years of obscurity. The sequences of Apu and elder sister Durga, exploring their little world and sharing secrets are most remarkable aspect of the film. These include the scenes of - discovery of train by Durga and Apu in field of white Kash flowers, the candy seller sequence, and Indir Thakrun's death. In the inspired 'candy-seller' sequence, as Durga and Apu secretly relish tamarind paste, their mother is complaining about hardships to their father. Durga hears a faint bell. She knows it is the candy-seller. Both go out and look longingly at the the pots with sweets in them. Durga sends Apu to ask for money from their father. Mother intervenes, and Apu returns empty handed. But the site of the pot-bellied candy-seller caring two bobbing pots of sweets is too tempting to resist. Both start following him. A stray dog joins the procession as it is reflected in a shimmering pond. The film develops its characters and the atmosphere slowly and resolutely. The narrative builds up to a powerful climax as we begin to empathise with the characters. Some critics found the film to be too slow. Satyajit Ray wrote about the slow pace - "The cinematic material dictated a style to me, a very slow rhythm determined by nature, the landscape, the country. The script had to retain some of the rambling quality of the novel because that in itself contained a clue to the authenticity: life in a poor Bengali village does ramble." Towards the end of the film, after death of Durga, we see Apu brushing his teeth, combing his hair... going about performing tasks, which would have involved his sister or mother. Sarbajaya (mother) has a lost look... Harihar returns, unaware of Durga's death. In a jovial mood he calls out his children. Without any reaction, Sarbajaya fetches water and a towel for him. Harihar begins to show the gifts he has brought for them. When he shows a sari that he has bought for Durga, Sarbajaya breaks down. We hear the high notes of a musical instrument "Tarshahnai" symbolising her uncontrollable weeping. Realising Durga's loss, Harihar collapses on his wife. We see speechless Apu, for the first time taking the centre stage in the story. Till now the story was seen through the point of view of either Sarbajaya or Durga. It is only in these final moments that we see Apu as an independent individual. In the USA, Pather Panchali played at the 5th Avenue Playhouse for a record 36 weeks, breaking the previous record held by The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. What others say... "The first film by the masterly Satyajit Ray - possibly the most unembarrassed and natural of directors - is a quiet reverie about the life of an impoverished Brahman family in a Bengali village. Beautiful, sometimes funny, and full of love, it brought a new vision of India to the screen." - Pauline Kael "A beautiful picture, completely fresh and personal. (Ray's camera) reaches forward into life, exploring and exposing, with reverence and wonder." - Lindsay Anderson "One of the most stunning first films in movie history. Ray is a welcome jolt of flesh, blood and spirit." - Jack Kroll, Newsweek " As deeply beautiful and plainly poetic as any movie ever made. Rare and exquisite." - Hazel-Dawn Dumpert, L.A. Weekly Awards President's Gold & Silver Medals, New Delhi, 1955 Best Human Document, Cannes 1956 Diploma Of Merit, Edinbugh, 1956 Vatican Award, Rome, 1956 Golden Carbao, Manila, 1956 Best Film and Direction, San Francisco, 1957 Selznik Golden Laurel, Berlin, 1957 Best Film, Vancouver, 1958 Critics' Award - Best Film, Stratford, (Canada), 1958 Best Foreign Film, New York, 1959 Kinema Jumpo Award: Best Foreign Film, Tokyo 1966 Bodil Award: Best Non-European Film of the Year, Denmark, 1966 Other Films of The Apu Trilogy Aparajito (The Unvanquished, 1956) Apur Sansar (The World of Apu, 1959)