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| film 1983 |
We
faltered, and then we learned. At least so it appears from the drastic change- both
in quality and earnestness- noticeable in films that are being made since 2010
in the Malayalam language. As opposed to the spell of kitschy products that
were churned out in the 2000s, a genus of new experimental cinema is visibly in
the making, and not to be misunderstood with the groundbreaking New Wave that uplifted Malayalam Cinema
in the 1970s, this new age movement, bidding on smaller themes and
unconventional narrative techniques, seems to have taken shape from a willful
attempt to stay away from the formulaic Malayalam blueprint that had grown to
full-fledged tripe in the 2000s. Like never before, a plethora of films
addressing the life and issues of the expat and the urban Malayali also came
into being, and a volley of exceedingly unconventional characters took shape in
these stories. Although this intentional cry ‘to be different at any cost’ has intermittently
created a bunch of cocky unsavory results, there are also some fruitful efforts with popular appeal
that stood out in their thematic excellence and alternative executions.
Following is a list of ten such new generation films that will give you an introduction to the
merits of the Malayalam NEO NEW WAVE. Let’s hope this ‘wave’ takes a really high
sweep before it turns to land, or never land all.
10. Neram 2013
director:
Alphonse Puthren
featuring:
Nivin Pauly, Nazriya Nazim, Bobby Simha
Neram is a
thriller that’s as much fun and excitement as a theme park ride. It’s about a
character on the run to reclaim his stolen cash and lot other mishmash
involving a ruthless moneylender he owes money to, a girlfriend who is
kidnapped by sheer mistaken identity and the cop who is persistently at his
heels for it.
9. Ustad Hotel 2012
director: Anwar
Rasheed
featuring:
Dulquer Salman, Thilakan, Nithya Menon, Siddique
Typical of many other
characters Dulquer Salman would play in time, Faizal Abdul Razak aka Faizi from
Ustad Hotel is a young chef whose
relationship with his stimulating grandfather, who owns the eponymous restaurant,
exposes him to a new kind of love and responsibility. The film represents
change, and warmly explores the connection between the new and the old.
8. Chaappa Kurishu 2011
director: Sameer
Thahir
featuring:
Fahad Fazil, Vineeth Sreenivasan, Remya Nambeesan
Chaappa Kurishu is a taut thriller about the disintegration of human moral fiber and
the dark twist of fate that intertwines the lives of two young men from
diametrically opposite social standing, one who loses a cellphone containing an
explicit private video with his girlfriend, and the other who chances upon the
phone, debating whether to return it or not.
7. 101 Chodyangal 2013
director: Sidhartha
Siva
featuring:
Minon, Indrajith Sukumaran, Lena Abhilash
101 Chodyangal is the endearing tale of a kid whose attempt at framing 101 questions
for pay runs parallel to his life instances with the small joys that he finds
amidst all the family tribulations including his father’s unemployment and
poverty, through the heartening bond he develops with the new teacher in school
who amuses him as much as understands him.
6. Amen 2013
director: Lijo
Jose Pellisserry
featuring:
Fahad Fazil, Indrajith Sukumaran, Swathi Reddy, Joy Mathew
Perhaps one of the most
experimental films on the list, Pellisserry’s Amen is a loud blast of sound and visuals that with the backdrop of
a breathtaking village in Kuttanad tells the love story of Solomon and
Shoshanna with the colorful fanfare of a cacophonous marching band representing
the church, graced with the bizarre presence of a newly arrived pop reverend.
5. Traffic 2011
director: Rajesh
Pillai
featuring:
Sreenivasan, Kunchako Boban, Asif Ali, Anoop Menon
Based on true events, Traffic is a race against time where the
heart from a recently deceased accident victim needs to reach a dying heart
patient 150 kms away, via road during rush hour traffic in less than two hours.
The odds are very few, but the near-impossible mission overseen by the cops is
an exhilarating race that will certainly push you to your wit’s end.
4. North 24 Kaatham 2013
director: Anil
Radhakrishnan Menon
featuring:
Fahad Fazil, Nedumudi Venu, Swathi Reddy
A self centered techie with
OCD, an old politician with an ailing wife back home and a young social worker
are stranded on a hartal day with one
too many obstacles that make them stick together resulting in a rejuvenating
journey. North 24 Kaatham makes us
smile with its warmth and newness, and is one hell of a road trip that is so much
more than just the ride.
3. 1983 2014
director: Abrid
Shine
featuring:
Nivin Pauly, Anoop Menon, Srinda Ashab, Nikki Galrani
Broadly speaking,1983 is the documentation of a
generation in rural Kerala obsessed with cricket long before the cellphone revolution,
and more subjectively, it’s about the failed dreams of a cricket enthusiast
that he attempts to revive through the genius of his son. Skillfully scripted,
endearingly performed and temptingly packaged, you don’t want to miss this one.
2. Shutter 2012
director: Joy
Mathew
featuring:
Lal, Vinay Fort, Sreenivasan, Sajitha Madathil
One of the best thrillers to
come out of the Malayalam canon in a long time, Shutter is a great directorial debut set over the course of two
days and one night about the fates of three men pushed to the brim with the landing of a prostitute in the scene. Its suspense is nail biting, and the psychological
exploration of man’s sense of ethics and morality is dissected here in style.
1. Annayum Rasoolum 2013
director: Rajeev
Ravi
featuring:
Fahad Fazil, Andrea Jeremiah, Sunny Wayne
Annayum Rasoolum is a poignant love story between a Muslim taxi driver and a Christian
salesgirl set in the grimy underbellies of Kochi. The compelling premise that is
unhurriedly built around the mute romance goes on to overwhelm their lives with
unforeseen tragedies and a swarm of quirkily nuanced supporting characters to
kick up the dust cloud.
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