PATHRAM

	THE PASSION  OF CHRIST Mel Gibson’s the Passion of Christ was the most attracted and disputed movie of this year because of its re-enactment of the most attractive and disputed “Person”, Jesus. Mel tried his best and almost faithful to represent Jesus in his film as stated in the New Testament with regard to the reality perspective. After seeing the film Pope John Paul II said “It is as it was”. Even the original language which he chose for the film is highly appreciated.    Many accuse him for the exaggerate way of presenting brutality which Jesus has to undergone with scourging and crucifixion. For many it was beyond the human suffering capacity. Some of the critics from religious and political field criticised the film by pointing out its anti Semitism.     Since Mel is trying to bring the last twelve hours of Jesus life he has to bring the camera lance close to each and every moment of his last moments. It was his aim too because he has named the film “The Passion of Christ”. Indeed Jesus was undergoing utmost brutality from the people. So Mel has no other way to avoid its intensity and depth, if he is faithful to the Evangelists description about the passion of Christ. The scourging at the pillar in the Pilate palace is too much but it was according to the Roman trail for a captive at that time. It was not making the audience upset instead made them more compassion towards Jesus.   If Gibson would have presented Jesus who suffered up to maximum of human beings suffering then there is no extra ordinary factor in  Jesus suffering even though we believe that Jesus was True Man and True God. It was the uniqueness of the Jesus’ suffering.   According to the Gospels, Pilate’s decision for crucifixion penalty for Jesus was caused from the pressure of the Jews though he had the ultimate authority to decide. Jesus’ death is always remarked as the envoy from the part of priestly class of Jews But they made the process of the trial as a political crime.  So how can we say that Mel’s “The Passion of Christ” is propagating anti Semitism?   The actor Jim has really depicted Jesus as real. We all knew the pain and preparation which has to undergone for the fulfilment this masterpiece. Stern Morgens as Bl. Mary is perfect. Pilate, Mary Magdalene and all collaborated whole heartedly for the good out come of the film.   The special light effect is wonderful. Since most of the scenes are taken place in the night the shadow effect should be appreciated. I think for this yellow-dark effect he was following iconic image style from Italian Iconography.  Though set ‘Jerusalem’ is from “Cinecitta” in Italy all the professionals and costume designers are from Hollywood. He always kept a reality narrative perspective throughout his movie.

	SESHAM  Jayaram as Lonappan Shesham really breaks all the traditional strategy of the social film (sometimes it has a art film style) i.e supper climax strategy and ask the people to think over film with a normal mind. The director played with  normal suspense and this aspect really pushed the people to see the end.  The film carries always a conflict between reality and dream. This real fiction balance kept the film alive till the end. Even though the approaches and presentation are most modern, the message is simple and clear. There is a  Real movie(documentary + fiction) trend inside the feature film.   There is no any super star performance or extra ordinary action in shesham. Lonnappan is an old Malayalam movie character and the actor (Jayaram) has taken the same roll many times. Those who search for a difference from the old character can find some peculiarity in lonappan. Meera performed well. Actress acquaintance with the character really created great suspense throughout the film. This dimension always reflected in the words of Shyam(Biju Menon) This is the victory of the actress and film. The character Meera  stands for the most modern culture with out any hypocrisy of traditional social life.

	Padam onnu oru vilapam T.C.Chandran is a brand name for the art film in Malayalam. Once again he proved through “Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam” that he can not only direct a film but also provoke the sensitivity of the society. The film bagged National awards for the social awareness and Best Actress. Being a Muslim the producer Shawkath can proud himself that he could bring the social issues like child marriage and women education in the society especially in Muslim religion.   As great Indian movie director par excellence, Sathyajith Ray, T.C.Chandran is also following the stream of realism especially neo-realism which began just after the World War II in Italy in his movie. When natural story present its simplicity with utmost intensity and depth people will not enjoy but experience the true story that is  what happened with regard to “Padam Onnu Oru Vilapam”. We all see Shahina (Meera Jasmine) in our neighbourhood and in our society with her small dreams and little world of books and Geethanjali song which made her joy and toil presented by the child marriage and undesired pregnancy which made her symbol of exploited and suppressed women in our society. Meera gained National Award for Best actress for this acquaintance with character said the 17 members Jury unanimously.   If the message is clear and direct, it can influence the people’s heart. The scarcity of such movies are lacking in Malayalam. Most of the directors are using the commercial formula in order to sell their product but some time they forget their social commitment as an Artist.

	Kochu Kochu S A N T H O S H A N G A L Gopan ( Jaryaram) a typical village young man who is working in the studio of sukumarettan ( Oduvil Unnikrishnan) as videographer   falls in love with Ashalekshmi ( Lekshmi Gopalaswami) a talented dance girl who is the only daughter of a rich business man (Lalu Alex). They get marry in the midst of stiff opposition from her father. They elope to a distend place and stayed with Gopans friend. When the situations became favor they returned to their village and decided to live in small house with limited situations and loving neighbors (KPAC lalita and Mala Aravindhan). Their life bloomed with the coming of Achchu (Master Kalidas). With some dramatic situation finally her father accepted their marriage. The contact with famous dancer Maya Varma (Bhanu Priya) opened a new horizon for Ashaleksmi as a busy dancer. All were happy with the fame of Ashalekhmi. The busy life of Ashalekhsmi  as dancer made some conflicts in the day today affairs of her family. When Gopen thought his and their sons presence is an obstacle to his wifes fame he decided to go away with his son. Finally he reached Goa and settled there as petrol bunk worker with his son who is then grown up as schoolboy. He never revealed to Achuchu anything about his mother.  The contact with a girl, Celine (Kavy Madhavan) who is running a restaurant next to petrol bunk and loved Gopen by mistaking that he is a widower, made a turning point to his life. The whole story was a flash back while Gopen was disclosing his personal matters to Celeine. The famous dancer, Maya Varma  took the initiative and come to the scene again to join the hurt couple again with the words Art is not an obstacle to family life and family life is not an obstacle to art.   The director Sathyan Anthikad once again proved after his Veedum chila Veetu Karyangal that he is an expert to deal with small family issues, problems and solutions with all its intensity, natural and in depth. Character selection and their performance are highly appreciated. Master Kalidas (Son of Jayarm) who won the national award for child actor for this role proved in every movement that he is able to wonders before the camera just like super stars.