Innocence lost?

Close (Flemish, 2022)
Director: Lukas Dhont

Gone are the times when people used to be safe amongst their own kind. Girls were comfortable mingling with girls, and boys can act normal amongst their guy friends. In fact, boys and girls, after a certain age, will feel curious about the opposite sex but at the time feel uncomfortable breaking the ice. 

If growing up is not difficult enough, maturing from a teenager to morph into a young adult and pave a future for himself, now he has to deal with his sexuality. He is now cornered to be assigned a gender at increasingly diabolical ages. Children used to have a sweet phase of their life called childhood where they could play, be carefree and explore things as and when they find fit. Things happened naturally. Now, there is a rush to compartmentalise. In certain localities, part of the educators' scope of duties includes identifying students trapped in a wrongly assigned gendered body. Psychological assessments would legitimatise pubertal blockers, hormonal therapy and as far as gender reassignment surgeries. And the parents may not need to consent to all these interventions on their pre-teen kids.

The sad thing is that sometimes science gets it wrong. So do the nimble impressionable minds. Detransitioning or seeking for reversal of gender transitioning is a real thing.

This Belgian candidature for the Oscar tells an emotional story of two 13-year-old boys, Léo and Rémi, who happened to be very close friends. They grew up together and their families were close. As they move into middle school, the nature of their closeness is frowned upon by their classmates. Léo, the athletic one, denies that they are a couple. Rémi, the artistic one, actually secretly harbours passionate feelings. As Léo increasingly distances himself from Rémi, the next thing that the school hears is that Rémi commits suicide. The rest of the story is about how Léo deals with the guilt of rejecting Rémi's advances and the loss of his best friend.

A slow-moving drama with intense close-ups filled with emotion. Recommended for the romantics.

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

Love moves mountains?

Christiane Amanpour: Sex and Love Around the World
(Netflix Documentary, Season 1; 2018)

This provocative six-episodes presentation discusses matter considered taboo in many of the towns the episodes were centred - Tokyo, Delhi, Beirut, Berlin, Accra and Shanghai.

If one were to look at olden civilisations, it seems evident that our ancestors used to quite accepting of sexual practices and its deviations. The Japanese, during the Edo period, boasts of Shunga erotic art. They were a liberal and stable society. All that came to zilch when Commodore Perry landed in Edo Bay and Emperor Meiji banned their erotic drawings. 

The Indians had Kamasutra long before the Western world learned to count, but in the New World, it was viewed as yellow literature. The Victorian mindset even deemed donning of saree was obscene. In the 19th century and before, the blouse was not part of the female attire. The saree was used to drape the chest and bosom as well. Legends say that the Tagore ladies were denied entry to a Colonial Masters' dinner as they were apparently indecently dressed for not draping their upper torso and the upper limbs. The long sleeved became the colonists' addition to the Indian costume. 

The Westerners. with the might of their sea fleets and the strength of their gunpowder, thought that they were doing a service to the natives by introducing them to culture and religion. Little did they realise that even the Dark Continent, Africa, has a long oral tradition of Africana philosophy. It may be as old as humanity itself. They lived in symbiosis with the spirits of Nature.

The Arabic civilisation also had their own appreciation of sexuality and erotica. 'The Perfumed Garden', a manual for sexual maladies and health, is a testimony of their maturity.

The spread of Western civilisation and specific strict Abrahamic teaching seem to jettison the equilibrium of sex and love in the country explored in this season.

The Japanese society, despite their boldness in expressing their sexual desires and pervasions, remains a sexless society. Their population growth is down, and people are just not finding pleasures in each other. Couples do not communicate, and sex outside marriage is a norm for both genders. Maybe it is because we all living in a self-fulfilling generation which is hedonistic in self-gratification rather than completing other priorities in life. What are the priorities in life anyway and who decides them? 
After playing second fiddle the Japanese men in society, the Japanese women have started exerting their likes and dislikes through their newfound liberation through education and economic independence. They could choose to be a 'fujoshi' (rotten girl) if they want to.

India too, after having a liberal society before the Westerners brought in laws to impose values on them, have awoken from slumber. With educational opportunities and the empowerment of the minorities and the marginalised, the downtrodden have returned with a vengeance. Nothing is taboo anymore. The society is undergoing an adjustment period where eve-teasing is construed as sexual harassment, transgenderism is accepted, hijras (third gender) demand a safe space in the community and public display of affection is becoming acceptable. Even a former porn star, Sunny Leone, is accepted to mainstream movie industries. In spite of these changes, resistance still comes from many conservative groups who scream of the immorality and demand for clear demarcations of what is permitted and what is not. Worse yet, they run vigilante groups to carry out their brand of justice.

Inhabitants of Beirut, despite living in strong fears of civil unrests, try to live life to its fullest. The famous saying goes, "to be an Arab is to be a hypocrite!" The Arab world which portrays a seemingly conservative outlook has the dubious reputation of being the highest consumer of porn. In Beirut, many girls in traditional garb are seen smoking the hookah and having a time of their lives. It appears that Palestine refugees who came to the country in the 60s try to exert their brand of religion to the rest of the population. Religion gained more importance in society as government became dictatorial and corrupt. In 'The Perfumed Garden', sexuality was described as a gift from God and equal weight is given to both sexes for enjoyment. It has, however, has taken a turn and is viewed as something to satisfy the male gender only. On the other hand, the rest of society is fighting back. 

Berlin is known as the carnal capital of Europe for it was here, back in 1919, that the first sexual experiment institute was established. It used to be a sexually progressive city till clashing opinions from the likes of Hitler and immigrants with conservative views on sex changed in its landscape. Hitler reignited the 3K (Kinder, Küche, Kirche) concept; that women's role is to mind the children, kitchen and the church- at least to increase the population and to supply soldiers. Nevertheless, the culture of FKK (free body culture) is still alive. There are establishments where clothing is optional as its members carry on with their recreation activities in the nude to boost self-confidence and to break body dysmorphic misconceptions. Some newcomers (refugees) who have assimilated into the German society find it liberating. For the first time in their lives, there discover real love, self-expression and are able to come out of the cocoon of living a false life for the sake of society and being trapped in sugar-coated relationships.

Accra in Ghana is said to be the most religious place on Earth, with its 71 Christian sects and its many churches. Despite its seemingly religious outlook, many Ghanaians live with multiple sexual partners; having a wife, mistress and girlfriends all at once is the norm. Come Sunday, they would all flock to the churches and listen to the sermons which put women in their place of being the temptress of vice and root of decadence. The female gender is accused of being weak and are easily swayed to the dark side,  of tempting of Satan. The fault of the original sin which is the reason mankind has to suffer is put squarely on the ladies. Women, because of the cultural tradition of sexual servitude, accept the accusation willingly. Perhaps the changing of times created a balance between Men trying to maintain honour as well respect versus Women trying to get love and security. Affluence accentuates the need for polyamory. Christianity is blamed to have done a disservice to the Africans' way of life. Before the entry of European to the continent, they already had a well placed social order. Now, many are reclaiming their ancient roots.

In China, conformity used to be the opiate of the masses. Marriage was a family affair with so full of traditions, but the State had a lot of say in it. Now, under the new brand of communism where elements of capitalism are infused, self-expression, love streaming and individualism are taking over. Candidates for marriage are advertised by parents for their seemingly 'growing old' children (anyone more than 27 years of age) like commodities in the marriage market in Shanghai. Many highly educated young adults have their own idea of the life partner they want - by height, educational status, age and even gender. Yes, people are openly exhibiting their sexuality in the open. They are pushing the boundaries. They claim that the Chinese Culture used to be so accommodating but somehow now the Chinese have decided to follow the Western way which tries to label everything and box everything into categories.

The clash of one culture over the other with practitioners of one culture aping the other is probably the reason for the disturbance of the status quo. But surely this must be the purpose of our civilisation; making every small leap every time for the advancement of the race and for the greater good of humanity. The feeling of guilt that most organised religion propagates must be the cause of many to be mentally disturbed, and people are finding ways to be relieved from it all. 

Sunny Leone, Bollywood sensation.
It is alright to bring an ex-porn star to the
living room during family prime time!
Credit: Human Nation.

Nature had given the act of propagation and continuity of species the added lure of pleasure to entice its members to copulate and spread their progeny. Somehow, modern man has mastered the art of separating the fun from its reproductive function. They are so entrenched in their hedonistic desires that their bar of attainment is becoming ever unreachable. They venture into seeking comfort in the same kind and against the grain of Nature. 

Is the society easing to the ever-growing demands of the fairer sex for equality and social justice? Is this a construct of neo-liberalism? Is the market for queer rights a western export? Is people's view on sex and love matters so schizophrenic? They want the enjoyment part of sex and love but not pregnancy and venereal ailments part of it. 
Science has shown that for a population to continue to prosper, a certain level of population growth is mandatory. Economic activities need people. Wars need soldiers. For the rich to flaunt, they need a populous area with the poor to suck from. With the sexless society and declining fertility, is this how our civilisation ends? Is this what the Vedic scriptures say when they tell about destruction and rebuilding is a cycle when a society crumbles, goes into near-annihilation and recoup like ants who had their anthill smashed?

As my friend, AS, a Trump supporting, QAnon following, conspiratory theorist yearning, Deep State and cabal loathing right-wing conservative friend would say, "it is all a left wing agenda to destroy the civil society that humanity has slowly put in place over generations of trial-and-error. Anarchy is their end point.

https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson 

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Anarchy or Evolution?

That is what the world has come to. There is sadly no 'one-answer-fit-all' response. The people who argue against the grain are smart people with intelligence quotients higher than the general public. 

Everyone is concerned only of his own self. There is an inner desire to live life to the fullest; enough of living under the pretence that something sacrosanct needed to be protected. If all this while they had cowed to societal pressures and suppressed their inner needs, it was the time that they let their hair down. They do as they please.

Over generations, through trials and error, regulations have been put in the system. Each sex had their gender roles. Each gender had their duties and expectations. It was not a perfect arrangement, but there was a semblance of order. The general public accepted it as necessary to continue our existence. 

Nothing does not offend anyone any more. This signage in 

an Italian B and B with an 'alien' in a coquettish pose is not 

acceptable by the LGBT Rights Association there.

Now, a section of the population has started questioning the status quo. These people do not want to be confined in boxes assigned to them. They find it difficult to tick their nature (or is Man's) assigned social expectations. They do not feel comfortable using gender allocated toilet facilities. Through no fault of theirs, they appear trapped in the wrong body, and they want out. They want to fight back. There is no more two sexes. There is a third, fourth, fifth and maybe more.

It seems that there is no necessity to fill up the gender box anymore. The blurring of capability and roles of the sexes are more blurred than ever. Their voices are growing stronger by the day. Their contributions to society cannot be denied. They do not cause the wrath of the Almighty. They are here to stay whether we like it or not. If this would lead to anarchy as the traditionalists predict, it is up to us as thinking humans to accept this change, utilise it to our own benefit and help to steer civilisation towards a future that includes the people who are different and do not confirm. Our journey from the caves to the skyscrapers is rife with outliers who merely refuse to conform to the societal norm.

The first fearless caveman who dared to sit on the tree trunk floating by the river managed to reach on the other side to open the door of opportunities.

https://asok22.wixsite.com/real-lesson 

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

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Live life as you deem fit?

Nymphomaniac Vol 1 and 2 (2013)
Director, Screenplay: Lars Von Tier

Humans demand that it is their birthright to demand their pleasures. It is one's fundamental necessity to live a fulfilled life where it is filled with various pleasures. After all, they say, you only live once. You are only given the opportunity to live once. You are supposed to live to the fullest. You should go the whole 9 yards to make it a reality. And you blame all your future failures and underachievement to these unfulfillments. Somehow, it seems legitimate to holds others responsible for your existence accountable to your follies. The fault is anybody's except yours.

On the other end, another group would argue that life on earth is torture. Our time here is an opportunity to serve and gain merit points for an eternal afterlife. They live by preset rules, suppressing their innate desires that they perceive every temptation as a test of virtue from the dark side to commit sin.

This 5-hour presentation by an eccentric director is a graphic representation of a life of a sex addict. It is told in the form of a narration by a battered lady who was rescued at an alley by a recluse mmiddle-agedsexually shy intellect. As she gains strength, with a hot cup od milked tea, she tells her life story. Both of them try to analyse her actions as she narrates the nitty gritty deatils of her childhood, adolescence, sexual escapades and the collapse of her life. The intellect attempts to analyse her actions and inactions from a philosophical and anthropomorphical angles whilst she tries to justify hers.

This film forms part of the director's famed 'Depression trilogy'; the other two being 'Melancholia' and 'Antichrist'.

Hope of deliverance

There he is. At one look at the smile and the curling of the right lip, I knew it is him. Phew, it has been 20 years. That is how long I have not seen him. Gosh! Has it been that long? That droopy eyes are still there. The worry lines had increased. Boy, he sure looks tired. Tired perhaps of putting all of the world’s worries on his shoulders.

We are meeting after all these years at a Christmas party of a mutual friend. We both have been embroiled in own commitments that old friends took a back seat and new ones stay distant, in distance and geniality. As before, many years ago in our young adulthood, oblivious to the general public who were wishing each others wishes of the occasion and engaged in meaningless cursory banters, we found ourselves a cosy, quiet corner to continue what we used to enjoy all the time, a serious discourse on the purpose and meaning of life.

My friend’s childhood is a tale of survival and fighting against all odds to stay afloat in life. For him, phrases like life is a beach, live to eat and express yourself were all meaningless slogans to excite the day of the rich who want to find a more creative way to burn their hard earned money. He discovered that the good word of God gave him that tuft of hope to look forward to things in life.

Now, in the twilight years of his life, he finds contentment in having achieved unimaginable feats. With his success in life, he managed to help his siblings and their family members. He is the saviour of his kins.

He is a happy man, contented that his leap in faith has produced two successful children with exemplary ethics and status in life. He thanks God for His guidance. He sowed the seed of religion in his children which he believes make them the successful people they are today. In return, he is now returning the favour by doing God’s job on earth by spreading the good word.

For him, the Big Book is very clear on everything. God had set the laws, and we are to follow it. We are too feeble minded to ask questions.

Along the course of our conversation, we discussed the Pope and the blatant deviant sexual behaviour that is accepted as the norm in modern society. Again, for him, the Book is very clear on this. God has shown His displeasure on this subject, and it is our duty to follow. Deviant sexuality can be ‘corrected’ if we try.

He is a happy man, having reached his stature, from the lowest of the lowest heap of society, living on crumbs to the highest of the pile, comfortable in his own way. Good luck to him. He believes that everything has a purpose in life, if we try hard enough, the answers will be spoken to us through the scriptures.

I wanted to him that many religious fanatics also have an unshakable delusion around them that they are the chosen one to do His job. But then, I did not. After all, every strand of belief is just the hope of deliverance from the darkness and uncertainties that surround us!

Cherry picking what you want!

Un-freedom (2015)

Probably the ban on this film skyrocketed its popularity. An indie film made by a debutante filmmaker director using relatively unknown actors (minus Victor Banerjee), using unconventional cinematography technique and storytelling suddenly stirred everybody's fancy.

The censors probably thought that there were too many scenes with the unnecessary meaningless show of flesh and gory violence was too much for the general public to stomach.

Two unrelated stories are told in parallel in two different corners of the world, in Delhi and New York. The shots are abrupt and tend to move at a fast pace intertwining scene to scene. Halfway through the movie, you are still wondering where the film is heading, and both events are related. Anyway, they are not, but the symbolism is there, much about it later.

In Delhi, a bride runs away from her wedding to be her lesbian lover, a Caucasian free-spirited hippie painter who is a promoter of the LGBT movement. The trouble is her lover no longer in her but was currently in a relationship with a guy!

In New York, a fundamentalist Pakistani Muslim is out to assassinate a moderate cleric who condemns terrorism.

Both stories get complicated. People are tortured and murdered, and crimson hue is the order of the day.

The most disturbing part of the movie is the scene where the runaway bride is captured by her father, a police officer who approves revenge rape when she refuses to change her sexuality!

The common denominator in both the story is that people are using religion for their own agenda. The religious fundamentalists are using quotes from the holy text for their convenience. Sexual deviants also tend to justify their actions by giving it a quasi-religious tinge to it.

Stop! In the name of love...

Ram-Leela a.k.a. Goliyon Ki Raasleela (Play of Bullets, Hindi; 2013)

In my book of review and Rotten Tomatoes, this film would fall somewhere between decaying fly-infested flavanoids lost tomato and a maggot-infested putrefying one.

A century ago, when the sub-continent was experimenting with the silver screen, it chose 'Raja Harishchandra' from its vast reservoir of traditional folklore. In time, the story of love took many turns and U-turns to depict love in innumerable possibilities. Occasionally, new formulas would produce many copy cat follow-ups with the same storyline but different settings. Mostly, the films would end depicting poetic justice, satisfying society's beliefs, traditions, and fragile society structures.
Maybe I am a sucker for a good storyline and unexpected twists. Hence, when the credits rolled in to announce that the story was based on 'Romeo and Juliet', I was tad disappointed.

In a flash, the whole story flashed in front of me. We all know the story of Shakespeare's momento of undying love which ended in tragedy. So, it was... the story of two promiscuous teens dancing around the streets in the fashion of a musical in various degrees of dressing and undressing, finding 'love at first sight' type of forbidden love, in tumultuous times, with 'over-my-dead-body' type of opposition from either party ending with untimely death with the love-struck couple leaving the world to live happily on the other side.

Exposing a sculptured body is Indian Culture.
Bodybuilding started here.

The movie's saving grace would be the well-choreographed dances set against the picturesque backdrop of Rajasthan with the kaleidoscopic gaudy crimson and dark green combination clothing with rhythmic, repetitive gyration of body parts. Suppose you think Tamil movies over glorify violence where the most the petite of beau brandishes a samurai sword (e.g. Trisha in Tirupachi). In that case, their counterparts dance jubilantly emptying the contents of their Kalashnikov assault rifles in the air as they danced in the name of the Gods and Indian culture! 

People who decide to tour Rajasthan after viewing this film hoping to find pretty oversexed deep cleavaged abdomen revealing ever dancing lasses with faces like Deepika Padukone in the deserts of Rajasthan may be in for a shock. Maybe not the protective patriarchal guardians who have no reservations about honour killing! 

Pushing the boundaries...

When you give a child a certain instruction to do or not to do something, you will see them try their luck to beyond what they are supposed to or not supposed to do. If a barricade is erected to limit their space, they would stand touching the barricade. If the barricade is a rope, they would stretch their luck as far the rope would stretch. If the barricade is solid, they would stand on the boundary and see whether if their action is remanded. If it is all quiet on the top brass, they may stretch their reach by stepping a foot out to test the waters.

This type of treading dangerous waters can also be seen in Hollywood and amongst teenage girls who are slowly getting comfortable with their body image and sexuality. In the 1940s, actresses were required to cover up till their necks without revealing the silhouette of their contours. Later, by pushing for changes, the filmmakers managed to get the censors to allow a little bit of cleavage. With creative thinking, they manage to bend the rules to show more and more as long the areolar was not visible. With liberal thinking of the society and demand of equality of the society, even a full Monty is no big deal anymore. 

Just like that in the music industry, when Elvis started gyrating his pelvis, the world thought that Armegeddon was nay. Looking at the present MVs especially those involving rap artistes, we seem to have come a long way.
And this is how undergarments have evolved to become formal attire.
But then... this type of thinking outside the box is the one that propels society forward. If we got stuck on to age old beliefs and traditions, Columbus would not discovered the New World, advances in ICT would not have materialized and A-bomb would not have been a reality.
Like in MGR's movie once, they was a comical sketch of India sending an astronaut to the moon. At the last moment, the planned launch was cancelled by an astrologer as it was the day of the new moon amavasay, hence it was not visible, so no where to go!