'Boot Polish' and 'Children of Heaven' do have something in common. But It was mere coincidence that I saw both in the same week..Both these movies, talk about the magic that only children can create, like seven million wonders they find in the world they live ,where mere mortal adults (a-dull-ts) manage to find only seven of them. Both the movies are about poverty, pride and self respect and also the amazing love and care the little siblings share. Boot Polish, a 1954 Hindi movie, produced by Rajkapoor and directed by Prakash Arora cannot be compared to Majid Majidi's brilliant Iranian work of 1997 ,'Children heaven', in terms of Cinematic Qualities or which ever ingredients that make a good Cinema. Indian mainstream Cinema of 1950's was often plagued by hyper-melodrama, extreme low budgets and their nondetachable mainstream theater influence. Of course, there was one 'Pather Panjali', from the great Satyaji Ray which was released in the same period. But, its unfair to weigh Ray and Arora on the same balance. Neverthless, Boot polish was nominated for Palm d'Or at Cannes. Coming back to Children of Heaven; Its absolute magic. A beautiful tale of Innocence and dreams on the backdrop of a pair of old shoes that was lost. Majidi's Camera is so beautiful and realistic that, You would love to see few shots, even when they are repeated umpteenth times.Children here in both the movies lives in poverty here but refuses to beg, live wiht what they got, and never fail to dream. Though the movie was nominated for best foreign film oscar in the year 1998 it lost to another foriegn movie; the italian classic, 'Life is beautiful'; another all time favorite of mine. The way Majidi ends his movie is another thing to note; which is another magical shot, which might be his way to tell us , 'things don't get better that fast'; where his Indian counterpart had to be contented with that typical Indian All-Present-All-smiling-Group-photo ending.
'Boot Polish' and 'Children of Heaven' do have something in common. But It was mere coincidence that I saw both in the same week..Both these movies, talk about the magic that only children can create, like seven million wonders they find in the world they live ,where mere mortal adults (a-dull-ts) manage to find only seven of them. Both the movies are about poverty, pride and self respect and also the amazing love and care the little siblings share. Boot Polish, a 1954 Hindi movie, produced by Rajkapoor and directed by Prakash Arora cannot be compared to Majid Majidi's brilliant Iranian work of 1997 ,'Children heaven', in terms of Cinematic Qualities or which ever ingredients that make a good Cinema. Indian mainstream Cinema of 1950's was often plagued by hyper-melodrama, extreme low budgets and their nondetachable mainstream theater influence. Of course, there was one 'Pather Panjali', from the great Satyaji Ray which was released in the same period. But, its unfair to weigh Ray and Arora on the same balance. Neverthless, Boot polish was nominated for Palm d'Or at Cannes. Coming back to Children of Heaven; Its absolute magic. A beautiful tale of Innocence and dreams on the backdrop of a pair of old shoes that was lost. Majidi's Camera is so beautiful and realistic that, You would love to see few shots, even when they are repeated umpteenth times.Children here in both the movies lives in poverty here but refuses to beg, live wiht what they got, and never fail to dream. Though the movie was nominated for best foreign film oscar in the year 1998 it lost to another foriegn movie; the italian classic, 'Life is beautiful'; another all time favorite of mine. The way Majidi ends his movie is another thing to note; which is another magical shot, which might be his way to tell us , 'things don't get better that fast'; where his Indian counterpart had to be contented with that typical Indian All-Present-All-smiling-Group-photo ending. 
The Children of Heaven has been remade into Hindi also , Bumm Bumm bole. But you cant compare with the Original Iranian Master piece. I have seen another Iranian Movies "Where is my Friend's house?","The white balloon". The director has made the movie thru Children's mind. and also these movies portraits the life style of Iran people and their day to day problems in their life.
ReplyDeleteboth movies life is beautiful and children of heaven had a universal appeal. from any part of the world a human being can relate to the story..though life is beautiful was more heart rending..i dont think these can be tagged under the childrens movie genre...its a universal human story..there could be many layers of meaning ...who doesnt love to be child..we keep the voices of our soul silent to live an a-dull-ts life....in life is beautiful the contrast is evident of a harsh and cruel world, against the struggle of the father to keep the vision of an innocent world intact in front his childs eyes, to protect his tender heart from the impending tragedy..., but i think the realisation dawns on the kid's face....i wished with all my heart that the father shall not die...i think thats where the filmaker succeeded ..to raise the consciousness of humanity ...to spill out like a blood stream from our core over the many thick layers of hatred and violence that has hardened our shell. y do we hate...? y do we kill..?
ReplyDeleteiranian movies are a delight to watch...so simple and yet so deep....keeps growing in you...tamil movies like vennila kabbadi kuzhu i loved for this reason...have you seen that movie?