Landmark movies completing 50 years this year
Psycho
Golden Celebrations. Mughal-e-Azam, released in 1960 redefined the genre of historical epics in Indian cinema. The revised interest in the historical classic on the completion of 50 years has brought cheers among film lovers. But Mughal-e-Azam is not the only one. This was the year when filmmakers around the world started changing the cinematic language, for better of course. Technical wizardry, poetic touch, cynical finesse and exploration of the unknown, filmmakers challenged the conventional moviemaking. Looking back at those cinematic wonders.
Les Diabolique might have started modern thrillers, but Psycho popularised it among the mainstream audiences. The forerunner of the slasher genre, Psycho was first of its kind in many ways-it killed the lead character Janet Leigh in the first 45 minutes leaving viewers to fend for themselves, introduced drag as a horror element, broke censor's toilet taboo and its unique advertisements of not allowing audiences in the theatre once the film started. Above all, the shower scene which is the single most famous scene in the history of motion pictures was both frightening and sought-after and it still is. When you think of Hitchcock as the master of suspense, the first name that pops up is Psycho, a testimony to its timelessness. And both the iconic house and motel still exists! Photos: Publicity Stills Text: Ranjib Mazumder
Golden Celebrations. Mughal-e-Azam, released in 1960 redefined the genre of historical epics in Indian cinema. The revised interest in the historical classic on the completion of 50 years has brought cheers among film lovers. But Mughal-e-Azam is not the only one. This was the year when filmmakers around the world started changing the cinematic language, for better of course. Technical wizardry, poetic touch, cynical finesse and exploration of the unknown, filmmakers challenged the conventional moviemaking. Looking back at those cinematic wonders.
Les Diabolique might have started modern thrillers, but Psycho popularised it among the mainstream audiences. The forerunner of the slasher genre, Psycho was first of its kind in many ways-it killed the lead character Janet Leigh in the first 45 minutes leaving viewers to fend for themselves, introduced drag as a horror element, broke censor's toilet taboo and its unique advertisements of not allowing audiences in the theatre once the film started. Above all, the shower scene which is the single most famous scene in the history of motion pictures was both frightening and sought-after and it still is. When you think of Hitchcock as the master of suspense, the first name that pops up is Psycho, a testimony to its timelessness. And both the iconic house and motel still exists! Photos: Publicity Stills Text: Ranjib Mazumder
The Apartment
A bleak look at the American society which influenced Sam Mendes' American Beauty decades later, it has the actors Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray in top form. Lemmon plays C.C. Baxter who loans his flat to executives to carry on with their affairs. He finds himself trapped in situations when he finds out that his girl Fran Kubelik (MacLaine) is actually the mistress of his boss (MacMurray). Digging deeper into corporate politics and sexual morality, deeply drenched in the cynicism for which Billy Wilder is infamous for, this Oscar Best Picture has beaten time to stay relevant and entertaining.
A bleak look at the American society which influenced Sam Mendes' American Beauty decades later, it has the actors Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray in top form. Lemmon plays C.C. Baxter who loans his flat to executives to carry on with their affairs. He finds himself trapped in situations when he finds out that his girl Fran Kubelik (MacLaine) is actually the mistress of his boss (MacMurray). Digging deeper into corporate politics and sexual morality, deeply drenched in the cynicism for which Billy Wilder is infamous for, this Oscar Best Picture has beaten time to stay relevant and entertaining.
A Bout De Souffle (Breathless)
This film is a rebellion against cinema to make us understand what cinema can be. The visual style and the narrative structure was a reaction to Hollywood's idea of what a film 'should be' and in the process Jean-Luc Godard changed the grammar of cinema. Bogart obsessed Michel Poiccard (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) paved the way for 'not-so-perfect' looking stars like Donald Sutherland and Dustin Hoffman among others. A midpoint of classical and modern cinema, this La Nouvelle Vague film has been the subject of countless discussions and research papers. Interestingly, the much discussed and admired 'jump cuts' was a tool to save money.
This film is a rebellion against cinema to make us understand what cinema can be. The visual style and the narrative structure was a reaction to Hollywood's idea of what a film 'should be' and in the process Jean-Luc Godard changed the grammar of cinema. Bogart obsessed Michel Poiccard (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) paved the way for 'not-so-perfect' looking stars like Donald Sutherland and Dustin Hoffman among others. A midpoint of classical and modern cinema, this La Nouvelle Vague film has been the subject of countless discussions and research papers. Interestingly, the much discussed and admired 'jump cuts' was a tool to save money.
La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life)
An intriguing study of the hedonistic gluttony and debauchery of Rome through the eyes of journalist Marcello (Mastrioianni), it is one of the most widely acclaimed and highly watched European films ever. With an enduring score by Nino Rota, it has many memorable scenes like the opening with Jesus statue flying overhead and Anita Ekberg's plunge into the Trevi fountain. Critics loved it, Vatican condemned it but it never ceases to influence world cinema. Looking at the world at sensuous speed, this Federico Fellini's masterpiece came as a cut-off point in his earlier neo-realist films and later personal films winning Palme d'Or and one Oscar. Filmmakers like Michelangelo Antonioni, Ken Russell, Woody Allen, Sofia Coppola among others have paid tribute to this classic. It has also brought the word paparazzi into language lexicon.
An intriguing study of the hedonistic gluttony and debauchery of Rome through the eyes of journalist Marcello (Mastrioianni), it is one of the most widely acclaimed and highly watched European films ever. With an enduring score by Nino Rota, it has many memorable scenes like the opening with Jesus statue flying overhead and Anita Ekberg's plunge into the Trevi fountain. Critics loved it, Vatican condemned it but it never ceases to influence world cinema. Looking at the world at sensuous speed, this Federico Fellini's masterpiece came as a cut-off point in his earlier neo-realist films and later personal films winning Palme d'Or and one Oscar. Filmmakers like Michelangelo Antonioni, Ken Russell, Woody Allen, Sofia Coppola among others have paid tribute to this classic. It has also brought the word paparazzi into language lexicon.
Meghe Dhaka Tara
The traumatic after-effects of Bengal partition form the backdrop for Ritwik Ghatak's seminal classic with great interplay of light and shadows. As an allegory of Goddess Durga, Ghatak's story revolves around self sacrificing Neeta (Supriya Choudhury) being exploited by her own family members. With natural exteriors and claustrophobic interiors, the film has great use of aggressive sounds and music (Tagore and Bengali folk songs) to evoke Neeta's tragedy. The famous ending shows Neeta screaming 'Dada Aami Bachte Chai' (Brother, I want to live)while the camera pans across the mountains showing the indifference of nature while her cry echoes. Much misunderstood in his own time, Ghatak and his body of work has been escalated to greatness after his death; 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' remains the most radiant jewel in it.
The traumatic after-effects of Bengal partition form the backdrop for Ritwik Ghatak's seminal classic with great interplay of light and shadows. As an allegory of Goddess Durga, Ghatak's story revolves around self sacrificing Neeta (Supriya Choudhury) being exploited by her own family members. With natural exteriors and claustrophobic interiors, the film has great use of aggressive sounds and music (Tagore and Bengali folk songs) to evoke Neeta's tragedy. The famous ending shows Neeta screaming 'Dada Aami Bachte Chai' (Brother, I want to live)while the camera pans across the mountains showing the indifference of nature while her cry echoes. Much misunderstood in his own time, Ghatak and his body of work has been escalated to greatness after his death; 'Meghe Dhaka Tara' remains the most radiant jewel in it.
Devi
Satyajit Ray's Devi deals with religious superstitions and orthodoxy in Hinduism when a young bride Doyamoyee (Sharmila Tagore) is suddenly believed to be the human reincarnation of goddess Kali. She becomes the battlefield for anglophile husband and traditionally educated her father-in-law and tragedy follows. Darker in tone compared to Ray's other works, this film is a convincing portrait of feudal decadence. Generated controversy as an attack on Hinduism when released in India, it boasts of a great performance by Sharmila Tagore who commented a few years later, "Devi was what a genius got out of me, not something I did myself".
Satyajit Ray's Devi deals with religious superstitions and orthodoxy in Hinduism when a young bride Doyamoyee (Sharmila Tagore) is suddenly believed to be the human reincarnation of goddess Kali. She becomes the battlefield for anglophile husband and traditionally educated her father-in-law and tragedy follows. Darker in tone compared to Ray's other works, this film is a convincing portrait of feudal decadence. Generated controversy as an attack on Hinduism when released in India, it boasts of a great performance by Sharmila Tagore who commented a few years later, "Devi was what a genius got out of me, not something I did myself".
L'Avventura (The Adventure)
A radical departure from the conventional style, it hardly gave a damn to plot and structure; the story containing nothing became celebrated for the same. With static landscape shots, the film explores the theme of existentialism and is the first of a trilogy (the other two - La notte (1961) and L'eclisse (1962)) concerning human alienation in an altering world. When it debuted at Cannes, the response was negative to say the least as it was welcomed by boos and hisses. But it managed to win Grand Jury Prize, international box office success and over the years has become one of the astounding achievements of world cinema. Aptly called the most modern filmmaker, Michaelangelo Antonioni search for a new cinematic language without a definite purpose makes this a great work of art.
A radical departure from the conventional style, it hardly gave a damn to plot and structure; the story containing nothing became celebrated for the same. With static landscape shots, the film explores the theme of existentialism and is the first of a trilogy (the other two - La notte (1961) and L'eclisse (1962)) concerning human alienation in an altering world. When it debuted at Cannes, the response was negative to say the least as it was welcomed by boos and hisses. But it managed to win Grand Jury Prize, international box office success and over the years has become one of the astounding achievements of world cinema. Aptly called the most modern filmmaker, Michaelangelo Antonioni search for a new cinematic language without a definite purpose makes this a great work of art.
Spartacus
Being a Jewish, producer actor Kirk Douglas chose Howard Fast's novel about the historical life of Spartacus and the Third Servile War, a non-biblical subject. Douglas fired director Anthony Mann as "He seemed scared of the scope of the picture%u201D. Stanley Kubrick was hired but with multiple decision makers, the film went through problems and Kubrick later disowned the film. The slave uprising with astonishing battle sequences was intriguing and the scale of the film was purely awe-inspiring. But it could not do away with dramatic flaws along with the cheesiness that the genre brings. Spartacus will be remembered because it gave a new direction to epic genre in Hollywood which only knew of biblical themes then.
Being a Jewish, producer actor Kirk Douglas chose Howard Fast's novel about the historical life of Spartacus and the Third Servile War, a non-biblical subject. Douglas fired director Anthony Mann as "He seemed scared of the scope of the picture%u201D. Stanley Kubrick was hired but with multiple decision makers, the film went through problems and Kubrick later disowned the film. The slave uprising with astonishing battle sequences was intriguing and the scale of the film was purely awe-inspiring. But it could not do away with dramatic flaws along with the cheesiness that the genre brings. Spartacus will be remembered because it gave a new direction to epic genre in Hollywood which only knew of biblical themes then.
Eyes Without A Face
What all we do for beauty! Georges Franju's film tells the story of a surgeon attempting to restore his daughter's disfigured face after a car accident. But the result is nothing short of a horror. Negative reaction and controversy followed the release but cinephiles comprehended the poetic treatment of the film through subsequent re-releases.
What all we do for beauty! Georges Franju's film tells the story of a surgeon attempting to restore his daughter's disfigured face after a car accident. But the result is nothing short of a horror. Negative reaction and controversy followed the release but cinephiles comprehended the poetic treatment of the film through subsequent re-releases.
Peeping Tom
About a serial killer who records the dying expressions of his women victims, Peeping Tom received denunciation from all quarters when released. The response was so negative that the film was pulled off the movie within a week and almost killed director Michael Powell's career. Remained buried for two decades, it has developed cult following through re-appraisal and now considered a masterpiece of British cinema despite its controversial past. Martin Scorsese, Powell's most famous admirer once said that this movie, and Federico Fellini's ``8 1/2,'' contain all that can be said about directing." With visual strategy and layered voyeurism, the film has more than what meets the eyes like cinema itself.
About a serial killer who records the dying expressions of his women victims, Peeping Tom received denunciation from all quarters when released. The response was so negative that the film was pulled off the movie within a week and almost killed director Michael Powell's career. Remained buried for two decades, it has developed cult following through re-appraisal and now considered a masterpiece of British cinema despite its controversial past. Martin Scorsese, Powell's most famous admirer once said that this movie, and Federico Fellini's ``8 1/2,'' contain all that can be said about directing." With visual strategy and layered voyeurism, the film has more than what meets the eyes like cinema itself.
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I am ashamed to admit that I have not seen the Ray and Ghatak films. But it says something about access to these films since I saw some of the others in theaters at various times in India and never encountered Ray or Ghatak in mainstream theaters. La Avventura and La Dolce Vita were seen later on DVD and have not seen the two horror flavored ones..
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen any of them, even the names are alien to me.
ReplyDeleteI have not even seen Psycho which is one of the most celebrated movie of its genre... Though at least that one I would like to see.
Though concept which fascinated me the most was Devi. It sounds like a movie with dark humor, don't know how Ray treated it, but the subject is really powerful.