By Revathi Sunil (Team Creative)
At several
points of our lives, we are exposed to works of art that are labelled as
classics. The paintings of Van Gogh, the
all-time favourite Beatles, Pride and Prejudice, and of course, movies like
DDLJ, are some typical examples that come under this category. So what
essentially makes a work of art, a classic?
“The
classics are books that exercise a particular influence, both when they imprint
themselves on our imagination as unforgettable, and when they hide in the
layers of memory disguised as the individual's or the collective unconscious.”
-Italo Calvino (Why
Read Classics, 1986)
We have,
therefore, compiled a set of Hollywood and Bollywood movie that we believe
could become classics in the future.
1) Interstellar (2014):
Christopher
Nolan's sci-fi drama about an intergalactic space mission to seek a new home
for mankind, due to the survival threat to the human species on Earth, explores
the themes of love and quantum physics with an equal importance. The movie
featuring Matthew McConaughey and Anne
Hathway, also happen to be the most pirated movie of 2015 in the US, with 46
million illegal downloads. Nolan used a blockbuster spectacle to convey a
message about the world, even as he sends the characters zooming away from it,
through wormholes at the speed of light. Another aspect which is powerfully
portrayed in this movie that is universal in nature, is the father-daughter
relationship.
2) The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014):
This tale
entails the adventures of the Gustav H., a legendary concierge at the famous
hotel, and his lobby boy Zero Mustafa. This story set in the fictional town of
Zubrowka somewhere in Europe during the 1930's, and it stands out for its elaborate
sets and picturesque location, making it a visual treat for the viewers. Each
shot is framed in a square or rectangular manner and is crafted just like a
painting. One of the most interesting techniques utilised was to shoot majority
of the film using still frames.
3) Lipstick Under My Burkha (2017):
This movie
weaves together the prosaic lives of four ordinary women in Bhopal, or rather
the secret lives they lead as a reaction against the everyday oppression they
face. The unapologetic portrayal of women's sexuality and sexual needs is regulatory. I think this will make a remarkable effect on the world, as it may
lead to talk about the issues of gender inequality, and taboo topics such as
women's sexual needs, into healthy open spaces.
4) Udta Punjab (2016):
This
story, too, like the earlier one is of the expository nature, as it brings to
light the horrendous reality of drug abuse and corruption in the state of
Punjab. This also narrates a story of four extraordinary lives, that is brought
together to paint a larger picture of the dystopic truth of rampant drug abuse
in Punjab. With some excellent acting talents, the movie can be deemed as an
eye-opener to the Indian masses.
5) Gangs of Wasseypur (2012):
This
story, set in the historical mining town of Wasseypur in Bihar, is a five hour
long movie which tells a tale of revenge and violence. The naturalistic
portrayal of gang violence has been globally appreciated, and has even been
compared to the all-time legendary Godfather series. This movie creates a niche
of small stories, without removing the focus from the main narrative. Anurag
Kashyap, more importantly, establishes a cult of parallel cinema in the
Bollywood industry, inspiring several directors such as Vikas Bahl( director of Queen) and Neeraj Ghaywan (director of
Masaan) to create films that are not mainstream in nature.
6) Queen(2013):
Vikas
Bahl’s Queen is a bittersweet tale, filled with self-discovery, fun and
nostalgia. This low budget film became one of the most popular films of 2013.
Kangana Ranaut's acting was utterly mind blowing and refreshing. This movie
takes a sharp twist from the romantic classics of the 90's that are treasured
and cherished even today, such as DDLJ. The movie cherishes friendship and
rejects the notions of romance in regular Bollywood movies.
7) Les Miserables (2012) and La
La Land (2016):
It is high time I inserted a musical (or two)
in this list! As you may guess, I am clearly confused as to which of these
might be conferred the status of a classic in the future.
Les
Miserables is one of the many adaptations of the 1862 humanistic novel by
Victor Hugo. Instead of using lip-syncing techniques, Tom Hooper (the director)
decided that, much like in the 1930's musicals, he would make the actors sing
the dialogues/songs by themselves, while shooting. The ideas of justice and
love are questioned with unremitting intensity throughout the movie. The dark
and elaborate setting, as well as the cinematography, leaves the audience
spellbound.
La La
Land, as opposed to Les Miserables, is a light-hearted musical that embarks on
the themes of Jazz, love and dreams. It manages to convey a modern day (or
timeless, as some would argue) struggle while using styles that are more often
seen in older movies. Damien Chazelle transports the audience into a dream land
of snappy songs, beautiful sets and colourful clothes. Beyond all, the
cinematography and the way colours have been used are absolutely enthralling.
8) The Imitation Game (2014):
This biography of the famous computer-scientist Alan Turing, who cracked the Enigma code during the Second World War, is a rather compelling story. Although the movie boasts about the achievements of Alan Turing, it also characterises the protagonist through a humanistic vision. Like any other person, his insecurities and problems are also portrayed in the film. It also brings to the light, the issues regarding homosexuality, that we still grapple with in the 21st century. Lastly the unforgettable performances of Benedict Cumberbatch and Keira Knightley certainly gave life and soul to the movie.
