nz international film festival time again - opening night
seems the crowds don't approve of the big night selection
balmy night outside so weather not the problem - apathy i suspect
this one reads ok in the program but no buzz about it i.e other festivals, etc
early arrival un-necessary to secure centre seat, centre row and downstairs
we are treated to a stunning traditional indian dance routine from local girls
a brief speech from the local festival curator and seemingly a tad anxious
practically begs us to attend as many films as possible - no worries dude
sit back and prepare to take on this film set in modern central mumbai
opening scenes full of the colour, chaos and routine of this huge city
pigeons on roofs, derelict and packed commuter trains, bikes, rain
inside a small apartment a lady sends her daughter off to school
then sets about conjuring up lunch for her absent husband
her aunty lives upstairs and her voice provides the advice
seems the husband is currently amour-less so fix it we must
a mouth-watering meal prepared, packed and sent via bike courier
some fascinating scenes of the machinations of the lunch delivery business
a reminder that fast food, cafes and even microwaves are not everywhere
the cylinder of steel containers arrives at the desk of another worker
he partakes in the lunch supposedly ordered from a local restaurant
retirement looms for this widower and he has to train his replacement
youth, enthusiasm and naivety the opposite of where the main man is at
but it turns out the new fellow is an orphan and a father-son bond sparks
back at the apartment we find out hubby is doing the dirty so he is sidelined
our masterchef then begins a conversation by note within the lunchbox
she writes and sends food and words of advice are returned
clever directing means we easily warm to the 3 main characters
plenty of easy laughs also but the best kind - no setups or absurdity
just simple humour coming from the enjoyment and love of others
the unseen aunty upstairs in particular providing a laugh a minute
but there's some serious issues also - infidelity, aged care, death
all handled in a very natural manner and so easy to get absorbed
the film works it's way to an unexpected ending - another plus
a mantra is repeated at various times by the 3 central characters
sometimes the wrong train gets you to the right destination
and another memorable line quoted when a relocation is considered
in bhutan there is no gross domestic product only gross national happiness
apparantly this is the first film written and directed by ritesh batra
thank goodness it eschews the perception that india is all about bollywood
and pretty well eclipses most of what is churned out by the u.s. equivalent
very enjoyable - easy to recommend to anyone wanting slice of life films
a good choice for the festival opener - the (small) crowd was pleased...
