Nothing is as it seems.

A Chiara (Italian; 2022)
Director: Jonas Carpignano

That is what coming-of-age means. Growing up, we are imbibed with teachings of what is right and wrong. Our perception of the world is made, and we want to lead a life full of good virtues and abstain from negativities. Our first teachers about life, the future and the outside get a special honorarium in my mind. We placed them on a pedestal and became a reference point in our future decision-making.

Then we are slowly exposed to the outside world. We make friends. We become aware that life is not so straightforward after all. People do wrong things and are still cool about it. Our eyes are open to the reality of life. Suddenly our parents are not so saintly anymore. They have their gross shortcomings. The ideal world that we wanted to build becomes an unfulfilled dream.   We become another spoke in the world of misfortune. Did the parents do what they did for the family's well-being, for a better life, fully aware that it was wrong? Is it the responsibility of the rest to be complicit in the cover-up? Or should be just squeal, as it is the right thing to do.

This long-burn drama uses many non-professional actors to tell that exact story. The story of Chiara starts with a boisterous 18th birthday party of her sister's. Many family members and friends attend. Intimacy is apparent amongst the many close-knit relatives. The father is shown as a sensitive, loving father. 

The next morning Chiara's father goes missing after a car blast. Chiara is 15. Her mother, her elder sister as well as other members seem not too concerned about his disappearance. On her phone, Chiara learns that her father is a fugitive and is on the run for Mafia-related activities. In the meantime, Chiara beats up a fellow student at school. In view of her exposure to the Mafia, the social service decides to send her off to a foster family. Chiara has to grow up fast to make a decision about which way she wants her future to be - a brand one away from all the current trappings or one intertwined with the Mafia.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Give peace a chance

Mulk (Hindi, Country; 2018)

Human beings are social animals. Maybe it is because of our cavemen living situations, we feel comfortable in being amongst the same minded. We believe that numbers make strength. We also try to blame our mishaps to the other. It is never our mistake. With our thinking capability and our skill in the association of ideas, we can quickly put two and two together and blame our malady on the other who look, speak or dress differently. Subtly, it creates a 'us' versus 'them' divide. There is an innate desire to dominate the other, either through power, numbers or economy. When the going is okay, and when the cake is enough to go around, everything is hunky-dory. The society is civil.

When the homeostasis is rocked, or when uncertainties befall the society, pleasantries disappear. Man goes into survival mode. Birds of the same feather flock together for comfort and security. That is when all hell breaks loose.

The Jews went through the same predicament before, all through time, immemorial. They flocked together in their ancient old garb, practising unusual dietary and spiritual practices, walking around contented with a chip on their shoulder, thinking that they were God's chosen ones. Despite their seemingly austere lifestyles, they seemed to weather all difficulties and were industriously dedicated to their worldly and spiritual duties. These naturally brought resentment to the rest of the gentile community. They were quick to salvo their conspiracy theories and talks of clandestine ambitions to control the world. We know what happened afterwards.

Things have not changed much since. The world is still divided along the lines of 'us versus them'.

With the advent of advanced telecommunication techniques and the disposal of information at everybody's fingertips, one would expect the world to be wiser. On the contrary, the world is as confused as ever. The spread of fake news and the exaggeration of negativities just make the planet a more hostile place to live in.

A sterling performance by Rishi Kapoor.

The movie 'Mulk' is an emotionally high-charged presentation that seems to hit many parts of the world. For generations, many Muslim families have lived in harmony with their neighbours; living and others to live, sharing the living space and their thrills and joys. Of late, the rise of national and ethnoreligious sentiments has divided society. Like a pressure cooker, the tension is building up. One side blames the violence that happens around squarely on the other's religion. The other defends saying that violence is not part of their faith and they spread peace.

Ali's family is ostracised by his neighbours in Benares after a youngster from their household is implicated in a suicide bombing. All hell breaks loose. The harmony that the family shared with their neighbours for generations suddenly crumbles. Their loyalty to the country is questioned. Circumstantial evidence which goes back as far as the Partition rekindles old wounds.

We are ambassadors of our own beliefs. Whether we like it or not, when we insist that ours is a religion of peace, but its believers do not seem to portray such behaviour, people would not trust us. When we brag of our faith as the truth and are brazen enough to telecast it on a daily basis, non-believers would be turned off.

Peace is a very fragile entity. Like a crystal, it takes a long time to build. It can shutter to smithereens with a single misstep. Social order takes a tumble when the mob rules. Primal, animalistic behaviours and instincts take charge.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.