I believe I have had four people to thank for my share of parenting. My biological parents (has to be two! obviously), my Guru and last but not the least 'Cinema'. Coincidently since my belief is so strong and Universe runs on auto-suggestion, the journey so far has also been truly filmi.
So by that logic the filmi part of October 2012 will be : a filmi dip into cinema (STUDIES!)...YES people study cinema as well, have had a super high dose of cinema + research methodology......and then some people who were invisible suddenly reappearing in my life!(very bollywood filmi) and initiation of my cubs to the power of silence...no not mommas silence, she speaks...but THE SILENT CINEMA.
What does a 10 year old see these days? Probably TV, Internet Games, Animation films and then he sees other people seeing TV, other people people on the lappies and other people watching all current contemporary films.
When I was young my greatest cinema experience of all times, was a screening of SOUND OF MUSIC. and of course the greatest film critic of all time (my life) was my mom. With her, I have some incredible memories of seeing regional cinema on the erstwhile Doordarshan , to whom for some strange reason, noone gives credit to. There were also some great Hollywood films that I saw on the same platform.
My days of the single channel were superb. The Rays, Ghataks and Adoors were known to me since 1985 ...when I was 10.
But for some strange reason, in this vast cinema basket that I assembled, I was never exposed to BUSTER KEATON. That name always rung a bell but I didnot ever go back and do my research till I finally saw The General.
Such incredible work dome in 1926. Such imagery , shot taking and then complimented with a such story telling. The extremes of form and the simplicity of content just bowls you over. One of my favorite film maker Orson Welles stated that Keaton's The General is "the greatest comedy ever made, the greatest Civil War film ever made, and perhaps the greatest film ever made."
A 2002 worldwide poll by Sight & Sound ranked Keaton's The General as the 15th best film of all time and yet it had escaped me.
HATS OFF ! TO A MASTERPIECE
So not only did I see it but also made sure that my cubs start their discovery of silent cinema by watching this one. The first reaction on announcement of the screening was very natural...why a black and white...oh it doesnt even have sound.....but then after the first five minutes, the magic began....these kids of the so called super modern robotic age got engulfed in a simple tale sewn together seamlessly and yet so powerfully.
The ought and knot of it is also peculiar. What was also interesting is that during my researches post screening (which is a compulsive habit), I disocovered that The General, set during the American Civil War, , the film's storyline reenacted an actual wartime incident. . Though it would come to be regarded as Keaton's proudest achievement, the film received mixed reviews at the time. It was too dramatic for some filmgoers expecting a lightweight comedy, and reviewers questioned Keaton's judgment in making a comedic film about the Civil War, even while noting it had a "few laughs".
It was an expensive misfire, and Keaton was never entrusted with total control over his films again. His distributor, United Artists, the organisation which wanted to break away from studio tyranny and had teh consuling of CHARLIE Chaplin, insisted on a production manager who monitored expenses and interfered with certain story elements. Ironically Keaton endured this treatment for two more feature films, and then exchanged his independent setup for employment at Hollywood's biggest studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).
Anyways, beyond the history, all the parents who ever read this, show your child Silent cinema, break them free of the cacophony of modern life for some time. It will be worth it.
For me , its the beginning of a 'SILENT PROMISE'.....i have loads to share...now the Pandoras box shall open....Chaplin shall also visit us in our dreams.
