Sunday, October 28, 2012

Die Virte Macht:(Germany) :The Fourth State

Café Reminiscence : The Fourth State


Die Virte Macht:(Germany) : The Fourth State 

A fast action packed political thriller , truly a movie 
Par excellence ,brilliant acting by lead & supporting actors , geo political plot , insight view of Russian so called Federal Democracy , Story revolves around a German journalist who's late father was also a renowned rebellious journalist , who wanted to expose state sponsored terrorism.

After moving to Russia from Germany Paul Jensen (Moritz BleibtreuHe ) used to work for a celebrity tabloid,owned by his father's friend , tabloid is cater to nou·veau riche population, problem starts when he witnessed murder of a senior journalist and met fellow journalist Katza (Kasia Smutniak ) who is a rebellious & wanted to publish facts about the murder of the journalist by the federal secret service , she manages to convince Paul to publish the facts, who then publish the murder story in his celebrity tabloid without taking prior approval & got fired & become Bête noire for going against the system. Russian government has imposed strict censorship on media & his action puts his tabloid & jobs of his colleagues on stake.


Actual story unfolds after a bomb exploded after his meeting with Katza near same bus stop & nine people got killed including Katza ??.He was arrested on charges of involvement in terrorist activities and having linked with his few meeting old lady love Katza's activist brother , whom he casually met at an anti government rally and at a drinks party , he was sent to the prison where he met Chechnya leader who knows his father , as his father took his interview which was never got published ,Movie also portrays inside of prison horrible , inhuman conditions and torture to suppress Chechnya rebels .Somehow with the help of his Uncle he manages to get himself freed & on suspicion of getting killed in an encounter he escapes & surprise to know involvement of his own people including ...    he came to know about the conspiracy to nab him for his article as well as for being a son of an anti government journalist , he finally able to find the CD his father left for him , where he finds all the evidences of a multi story building bomb blast which infact was carried out by the federal  agencies to divert peoples attention from the corruption charges , oil money & to attack Chechnya to regain power ,which actually helped the ruling party in getting land slide victory in elections .Movie was shot in Moscow & Ukarine & pace of the movie keeps you engaged through out.This was my last movie at the film festival which turn out to be the bestest at least for me.

There was an interesting dialogue which justifies the terrorist activities by the agencies " Only during terror threats people of a country gets united & country can flourish".



Café Reminiscence :Kasia Smutniak
Kasia Smutniak












Now another reason for my Blah Blah for the movie is
 Femme fatale    Kasia Smutniak   ( Katza) , what a face n personality to die for or to go to prison , lean, tall ,expressive , pout .She is a Polish supermodel , acted in many international movies like "La Passione" and "From Paris With Love" & is a fashion diva .She speaks fluent Polish, Russian, English and Italian and is a mother of an eight yr old daughter , she had also hosted the Opening Ceremony at the 69th Venice Film Festival in September 2012.

The Mumbai Film Festival 2012

Café Reminiscence




















Had been to Mumbai Film Festival (18-25 Oct.2012 )  , Total 254 movies from all over the world were showcased under following categories ;








  • International Competition
  • Above The Cut
  • World Cinema
  • Busan Selection
  • Rendez-vous with the French Cinema
  • Celebrate Age
  • The Real Reel
  • Film India Worldwide
  • Celebration of Italian Cinema
  • Restored Classics
  • Celebration of 100 years of Indian cinema
  • Kabul Fresh: New Voices in Afghan Cinema
  • Dimensions Mumbai
  • New Faces in India 
  • CinemaIndia Gold 2012


  • I was able to watch 13 movies & would like to mention some of  them which I really enjoyed . It was not a well management event , specially at INOX, Nariman point where maximum nos. of movies were shown in all 5 cinema halls, they used to issue tickets for each n every show inspite of having ID which was issued for the whole event ,. any movie , any where ,.There were long ques & watching back to back movie was really painful .Cinemax Versova & Tata NCPA had no such system, just go n sit, first come first., anyways that's how we are.

    • Die Virte Macht ( German) or The Fourth State : Deserves a Separate post .

    Café Reminiscence
    Aprés Mai (French) or  Something In The Air :



















    This French Movie is about an adolescent 17 yr old high school student who is an artist , a new age painter and who is also a part of a small revolutionary school students group who revolt against school management & wanted more freedom  , Group of 5-6 students paste anti management posters & graffiti on university wall during night time , while escaping from the university campus after being chased by the guards they hit one of the guard who got seriously injured , and one of the fellow student got implicated , Later on this small student revolution which happened in 1960's , sparked mill workers to fight for their rights , freedom and to take participation in managing the factories which is called 1960's revolution. which later on spread to other neighboring  countries like Italy, Poland etc.This young movie is about portrayal of  French society in 1960's , students life ,social activism , philosophical ideology & French art works.Portrayal of Protagonist school boy Gilles journey as a student of the painting when France had art forms called "Pop Art" , which has painting of attractive nude women , his affairs with 2 girls who are strong & have their own concept of life, specially Alain who is in love with Gilles but prefers to remained committed to the revolution & leave him to join other activist  group .Film has portrayed free society  , artists workshops on media and  cinema,tons of smoking , booze , nudity , sex , hasish ,hippies like culture but what I liked is the artistic essence & philosophical aspect of the life , teenage boy n girls involvement in the social movement , who are very clear in their thoughts and goals & work hard to achieve what they feel is right for them ,movie is like admiring a masterpiece art where individuals can interpret same painting in their own way.. An artistic movie , insight of French & Italian society ,so different then conventional movies , Fantastique ,a must watch.




    Café Reminiscence

    La Vie D'Une Autré ( French)  :Another Women's life :


















    Movie is centered around  Marie (Juliette Binoche)  who awakes one fine morning and realizes that last thing she remembers that has happened  15 yr back ,means she forgets everything whatever happened in last 15 years , the last thing she remembers is her 3rd meeting with Paul whom she fell in love with . She later on finds out & feels happy that Paul who is a cartoonist is her husband & he works from home and having  office at upstairs only , but her joy vanishes as soon as she came to know that she is not the same women in fact she is a famous business women and managing a large company  & has separated from the man she loves. She is now known as a   shroud business  women , who never visited her ailing father who is no more now & never supported her mother .She then tries to become who she was 15 years back & wants to bring Paul back in her life & spent time with her 7-8 year old son & support her mother..An unusual plot and acting by French movie goddess Juliette is just beyond comparison.




    Café Reminiscence
    Die Wand ( Austria/Germany) :The Wall : 



















    Based on a novel by Marlen Haushofer , brilliant creative story , with every scene we expect something will happen , a women trapped inside invisible walls some where in picturristic Alpine jungle  and only has a dog, cat n a cow as her companion & things visible on other side of the walls has no life , everything is stand still ,Movie has beautiful cinematography , and shows human survival in such horrific conditions ,Complicated .. yet  , concept was highly innovative but lacks events & slowly you loose hope for any surprise , then it just ends ..In my personal layman views there was enough scope for a fast action packed mysterious thriller , an idea just remained unutilised forever.A sought after movie in the festival due to artistic contents & unique theme.



    Café Reminiscence

    California Solo : 

    A Scottish expatriate running from his past & would like to settle in southern California , working as a farm manager & selling organic products , who is a musician as well , once he was a lead guitarist of  a popular British pop band "The Crank" , which got dimanttled after death of his older brother Ted, due to drug overdose , he wanted to forget his past  and is living life in total isolation , until he was caught by the local police for drunken driving which made his life more complicated as he had no money for the legal proceedings & is now facing threat for getting deported back to Scotland . Unwillingly he takes his divorced wife's help to get out from this mess, there he meets his teenage daughter and they both share some good moments , I was so involved with the movie that I just wanted that he should gift the guitar to his daughter who also used to play guitar ,in stead of selling it to meet his legal expenses.Performance by the lead actor Robert Carlyle is the soul of this beautiful movie, his rustic looks also suits the character he played of a pop musician.

    Café ReminiscenceSmashed (USA):



















    Kate who is having a good life , partying , drinking , music & having a loving husband , One day, while teaching in her class, she finds herself in a difficult situation when her elementary school kids find her vomiting & ask her is she's pregnant? and to hide the truth about her over drinking habit she lied to them & also to the principle , after realisation of her uncivilized acts at a grocery shop and sleeping at some strange places ,she then joins a group called AA who helps individuals to get rid of the alcoholism.Although theme of the movie is " I am an alcoholic " but for me it is about an individual fight with herself/himself , to tell the truth and got fired , and realisation that her non working alcoholic husband infact wants her to remain alcoholic so that he also can escape from his responsibilities.

    Café Reminiscence
     My Brother The Devil (UK , Arab) :



    I was looking for an Arabic Egyptian  movie , which turns out to be a British Arab movie of 2 Egyptian brothers who are growing up in  backyards of down town London   & involves with drug trafficking , younger brother admires his smart and strong handsome elder brother until he finds a bitter truth about him , quite similar to our own Hindi movie , but with stealing  performances by young actors.ie , looks like Indian movie , nothing much.


    Do-nui Mat : The Taste of Money ( South Korea) : Korean movie 

    .

    Café Reminiscence
    L'Intérvallo (Italy) : The Interval :



















    A young girl was kept as a prisoner by a local goon  inside some old factory as a punishment for her involvement with the rival group guy , an ice cream ( Ice Gola) mobile small time vendor boy named  Salvatore was forced to accompany her and to make sure that she remained there .A light slow movie and no romance , they both share things about their life , struggle at this young age .No heroic incidents and girls finally surrenders and accepts her fate.

    Salvatore ....  . name reminds me of one of my Italian colleague , with whom I really shared some good professional time during  a project execution few yrs back.

    Sunday, October 21, 2012

    Dev Anand & Mohd. Rafi


    Dev Anand & Mohd. Rafi














    I was about to finalise my post on Mohd. Rafi songs picturised on Dev Anand , draft was lying for almost  more than 3 months , then while searching for this combo I found this site having same topic , therefore I have dropped the idea of making post on the same subject.
    Without any prejudice & intention I am posting here link for this post titled Dev Anand & Rafi , a well written post ,a worth read for  Dev Annad , Kishore Kumar & Mohd. Rafi fans .I have also posted my comments there.


    Link : http://www.mohdrafi.com/meri-awaaz-suno/mohammed-rafi-and-dev-anand.html

    Friday, October 12, 2012

    Plan India- Because I am a Girl Rock Concert



















    I had been to a charity rock concert " Because I am a girl" at Andheri on Wednesday night, the show was organised by Plan India , an Indian NGO working to improve the lives of disadvantaged children, their families and communities. Anil Kapoor & Govind Nihalani were the chief guests & 6 rock bands have performed at the concert , Indian Ocean, Sona Mahapatra , Parikrama, Indus Creed , Papon & Euphoria.I personally liked Parikrama's ( >3:00 hrs) high Octane  , scintillating performance then Indian Ocean & Indus Creed , rest were just OK.
    A perfect night out & I thoroughly enjoyed electrifying performances.

    Monday, October 8, 2012

    Hold my hand

    Café Reminiscence :Hold my Hand
    Hold my hand By Prachi

















    During our usual weekend long drives , we accidentally clicked this pic , place is Shahpur ( Asangaon ) 70 KM from Bombay , we were enjoying greenery overlooking Sahyadri mountain range , then suddenly we found this little boy walking & holding his mother's hand , such  casual carefree walk n mountains in the background.

    Sunday, October 7, 2012

    Firoz Khan & Dharmendra together :Aadmi Aur Insaan


    Firoz Khan , Dharmendra




    I was searching for any movie or song picturized on Firoz Khan & Dharmendra together ,  , finally I zeroed in on this 1969 great movie called " Aadmi Aur Insaan" produced by BR Chopra , u know who directed this movie... " Yash Chopra " , not many people may be aware , the only movie where Dharmendra & Yash Chopra had work together .

    I wish I could get a chance to see these gr8 movies in cinema halls , but now dayz no place for old movies , even a year old movie is not possible to watch, earlier we used to get some chance to watch old movies in noon shows, I remember watching all Dev Anand movies with my friend Naresh in noon or matinee shows , when I was in school.

    OK come back .. this song is special .,Two handsome , macho heros with sexy smile & bod , well dressed  ,Mumtaz in long cut gown ,cleavage ,70's Bar ,Cabaret( not todays' item no.) which had some guidelines to be followed , n Asha Bhosle signature song.

    Watch this :You Tube video link : Zindagi Etafaq Hai


    Saturday, October 6, 2012

    Dev Anand’s memorial service 16th Dec.2011.

    Dev Anand












    Memorial service was held at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai,for the legendary actor, producer and director Dev Anand.

    Tuesday, October 2, 2012

    Le Parinde





    Parinde @Home : Feeders/Nests :  http://www.natureforever.org/

    Weekends full time pass : Breakfast n fighting starts @ 6:30 AM








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