Yada yada, blah blah!

 Joker (ஜோகார், Tamil; 2016)

Before Joaquin Phoenix came out in the 2019 DC comic film as the legendary Joker, there was already an award-winning Tamil movie with the same name. Unlike the DC version, this one is a low-budget production. And like the former, both are political and social satires of the system that we are living. More often than not, in our societies, we give people the liberty to speak a little bit too much. Some talk just because they want to be heard. Others vocalise just because God gave them a mouth. We tolerate many because we pity them; we know it is unkind to be cruel against the mentally challenged. We let them just blabber, but the problem is that mental illness can be contagious sometimes. 

With the advent of social media, there is no limit to how much stupidity can spread like wildfire and profound wisdom.

Unfortunately, life is not so straight forward. Muddled somewhere inside the pile of insanity is what is supposed to be the truth. Because of all the murmur of uncertainty and the noise of distortion, real facts remain buried in the rubble.

There was a time when only the learned would be allowed to speak, and the rest would listen. One needed a certain amount of intelligence to put forward their opinion. With the democratisation of speech and empowerment to express thoughts, everyone gets the opportunity to get their 2-cents worth of view across. Do we call this giving the oppressed a voice to speak? Is the converse the rule of elitist? Is the former pushing for chaos and the latter a precursor to leftist's wet dream of creating unthinking automatons?

This bizarre movie starts with a man who is living in a debilitated hut. Starting his day answering calls on his cheap mobile phone answering to the name of President of India, rubber-stamping his letter with the Republic's emblem and pushing his weight around his neighbourhood. Slowly we realise that he is delusional. He has a comatose wife at home who became so after a freak accident caused by the government machinery's corruption. He tries to obtain a court order to allow euthanasia on his wife but repeatedly fails. The whole film just shows the vulture of politicians and his sycophant businessmen and hyena henchmen who hawk on Government projects to maximise profit and pay back the minimum to the gullible public.

Without a cerebral matter, imagine even ants can organise such complicated colonies, complete with armed forces, reserves for a rainy day, and even sick bays to care for the infirm. Why do we need politicians to guide us through? Seriously, mankind should have stopped at the oldest profession of all time, not start the second oldest, which is close to the first! 

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Mission accomplished!

Mr Dalip Singh Kokra
(1922-2020)

Yet another story of an immigrant who started with nothing and went on to create a legacy of sorts for himself and his offsprings. I had the pleasure of knowing Uncle Dalip Singh when I entered my wife's family more than thirty years ago and had taken part in many happy and sad events as they came and went.

Over the years, I made a composite picture of his life and times starting as a night school guard and gradually rising to be the President of the local temple.

As a young man, with scant of education, he arrived in Malaya with hope in his chest, strength in his limbs and resolve on his mind. As a night guard, he had built quite a reputation as a goto man for petty cash. Towards the latter part of the month, it was a common sight to see peons, clerks and even teachers forming a beeline outside his quarters requesting friendly loans (at 'reasonable' interest, of course). He was a leading a thrifty life, appreciating the simpler things of life to raise his five children. Not happy with just wasting his day time idly, he decided to become a travelling salesman. With his faithful wife as an aide, he drove to small rubber estates and oil palm plantations to sell sarees and Indian clothes on credit. With the little remunerations that he obtained from these, he uplifted the standard of living of his family. After he retired from Government employment, he moved into a large landed property in the more affluent side of town. With his tenacity, he educated his children and became a respected figure in society. 

He is a living proof to the adage 'hard work never kills anyone'. Until about six years ago, at a ripe age of 92 years, he was still seen driving around the housing estate. After spending quality time during his 98th birthday with his loved ones, he decided to call it quits. He became progressively weak, bade his farewell and passed the baton to the generation next to bring it to the finish line.

Some would simply throw in the towel at first sight of an obstacle. They would blame everyone else except themselves for their predicament. Others would approach these hurdles somewhat differently. When the barricade is too high, they will go under it.  If it is thick, they will go around it. Wailing and garnering sympathy is not going to take us anywhere. That, maybe the life lesson I learnt from Sadarji.

Parnam, till we meet on the Otherside if we do!

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It is the message

Silence (Nishabdham, Tamil; 2020)

This film was initially meant to be a silent movie, one without dialogues. It would have probably done better. The dialogue was a killjoy and laughable. A significant proportion of conversation of the film was in English, and that is the one that looks so fake, especially the lines written for Hollywood actor Michael Madson. 

It starts off as a paranormal tale but later goes on to give a serial killer angle to the final story. It is predictable with many glaring loopholes in the narration. The cast comprises an ensemble of a few Indian actors (R Madhavan, Anushka Shetty and a few young actresses) and many amateurs. 

Forget the story. What fascinated me about this film is how Indians in this story blended into American society. Filmed amidst the lush landscape around the outskirts of Seattle, Washington, we see how the characters mingled seamlessly partaking in what is considered the culture of the local populace. They indulge in classical music (the main character is a cellist), art, (the other character is a mute painter) and appreciate all the things people in their newfound land hold in high esteems. 

This does hold true to many economic immigrants of the late 20th and 21st century who screwed their own form of governance set up in their respective countries. Their way of life failed them, but they still proclaim to know better. They run down their host, denigrate their behaviour, criticise their way of life but still want to reap maximum benefit from the social safety net that the new country had to offer. They bite the hands that feed them and behead the people who think differently from them.

It appears that these people are doomed for failure wherever they go.

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A grim look at life and death...

Ee.Ma.Yau (Malayalam: ഈ.മ.യൗ, R.I.P.; 2018)

Director: Lijo Jose Pellisery.

Parents always think that children are dumb; that there are unaware of the 'adult' kind of stuff that happens around them. Our parents thought so too. Sometimes, they would talk in codes and other times they would say in our absence. We were not living in a mansion for the void to absorb all the vibrations of their speeches; hence, we pretty much heard everything.

During one of these instances, we heard of the death of a respected man in the community. He was a pleasant Tamil school teacher who was generous with his smile and was often consulted to aid in dealings with the local authority. Naturally, the community was shocked one day when news spread of his suicide. He had apparently decided to jump off the balcony of his 13th floor flat.

Everyone was there at his funeral. Some came to show their last respect, others probably came to catch a glimpse of how a mangled body of a jumper would look like. The flat dwellers had an awkward moment of amazement and amusement when from nowhere, a lady barged in at the heights of the funeral ritual, thumping her chest and wailing, claiming to be the deceased second wife. I guess the mourners had more than what they had bargained for. In their entertainment deprived day to day living, this incident was a talking point for the next few weeks. Along the way, housewives started adding more masala about the dearly departed and his double life.

This movie reminded me so much of the eavesdropping of the conversation between my mother and our busybody neighbour. It was beyond my control - our living space was small.

I am starting to like this director, Lijo Jose Pellisary. Making films with plenty of commotion while telling a simple story must be striking a chord with many Indians. His movies are even reviewed by Westerners too - maybe they are just there for the Indians to hit the 'Like' button to monetise their Youtube channel.

The story takes place by the sea amongst a close-knitted fishing community. Everyone in the village is Christian. Maybe that is what the Hindus are complaining. Most fishermen and their families have all been converted by the evangelist. The de facto leader of the village is a priest. Basically, he pretty much runs the whole show. The police listen to him. The village doctor takes his advice, and the priest decides who can be buried in the village cemetery.

An elderly man, a retired mason, Vavachan, returns home with a live duck to an angry wife. The wife is crossed with him for disappearing without a trace for some time. He has an adult son who has two daughters. The wife cooks the duck while he chit-chats with his son, Essy and enjoys drinks together. As the son answers a call, Vavachan collapses and dies from an apparent cardiac event. A commotion starts as the neighbour go scurrying to arrange for his funeral. The pastor is summoned. Somewhere along the way, somebody mentions foul play in Vavachan's death. The pastor, who enjoys crime novels, is implanted with the idea. The doctor and police are summoned, but both seem to drag their feet as it is the dead of night.

In the meantime, unbeknownst to the family, Vavachan's second wife and her children appear. They scream murder and demand justice. Essy gets angry with the pastor for even suggesting unnatural death. He slaps the Vicar, who then denies Vavachan a burial space. An amok Essy digs a grave right in front of his house to bury his father. End.

I get a sense that the storyteller has a bone to pick with the clergy. Portraying the Vicar as a grumpy, pompous and egoistic man, he does not display an image of piety. It is also suggested that that the church may be the playmaker in many societal decisions. People generally conforms to the rules set by the clergy to appease everyone. They think peaceful living with fellow kind protects each other's interest. It appears now that the set of rules set out for the people are more inhibitive and meant only to serve a select few. 

They say that Man is a social animal who needs to be in the company of others. From the time of the cavemen, we moved in groups to look out for one another. We found strength in numbers. Perhaps in modern times, we find annoyance in crowds. Life has become too comfortable that people try to create problems when there are none. Maybe we are moving into an era where every man is an island by himself. He may find peace in solitude.

(P.S. Ee. Ma. Yau. is a contraction for Eesho Mariyam Yauseppu or Jesus Mary Joseph. It is often used as an exclamation, much like OMG.)

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One man's meat is ...

Angamaly Diaries (Malayalam, 2017)
Director: Lijo Jose Pellissery

Most people, I included, end up viewing this movie after watching Jallikatu. The director of the film belongs to the new generation of directors who are bold enough to challenge the traditional way of story-telling and are daring to show their visualisation of reality boldly. Lijo Jose Pellissery is known for his unconventional approach in directing, making films that are characterised by nonlinear storylines, the aestheticisation of violence, extended scenes of dialogue and very long takes. The other peculiar thing about this film is that the filmmakers decided to feature 86 debutants. Again like Jallikatu, there is so much chaos, so much activity, sometimes too much, but the story progresses seamlessly. 

We all have seen many violent Indian movies which glorify violence, deify anti-heroes and depict an alternative universe where a lone downtrodden underdog brings down the whole corrupt system. Somehow, here the film depicts violence as a primal thing which is part and parcel of human living. The frequent screenshots of lumpy cut meat, slicing of pork and sizzling beef and pork curry may not be a vegetarian's idea of a wholesome meal. Still, the district of Angamaly in Kerala carries the enviable reputation of coming up with the most delicious of non-vegetarian meals. Their pork cuisines are something to die for, it seems. The past history that links them to Portuguese invasion, placement of the first Portuguese bishop in India, being the administrative headquarters of Syrian Christians and five centuries of tradition make them a strategic location to churn out a potpourri of European cookings flavoured with local ingredients. They are champions in tossing out mouthwatering dishes with yam, mango, jackfruit and beef. There is hardly any choice for vegetarians, Even their vegetables are cooked with meat as an addendum.

Pork is the king of Angamaly's cuisine. Another speciality
is meat cooked with yam and jackfruit seed.
Credit: onmanorama.com

The eminent 8th-century philosopher Adi Sankaracharya who singlehandedly consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta and unified thoughts in Hinduism is said to have been born nearby, in Kalady. Adi Sankaracharya is said to have travelled to all four corners of India and is said to have demarcated and unified all Hindus by engaging them in intellectual discourses. He is said to have propagated the idea that Atman, our inner self, is no different from Brahman, the Universal Consciousness. The world is, therefore, just an illusion. This is the basis of the Advaita School of Hinduism.

The movie is about a group of friends who decide to start a pork-selling business. The crux of the film is about the clash they have with a rival gang in having sole control of pork sales in that area. Along the way, we are feasted with extremely long shots as we follow the characters go about doing their daily duties of slaughtering pigs and slashing their enemies. The picturesque background and the excellent editing makes it a pleasure to watch despite the seemingly brutal theme.

Maybe the director is being cheeky here. Despite the sensitivities surrounding the different cultures in Kerala, he keeps on showing people mugshots of raw pork and beef repeatedly. As if to mock, the film ends with the call of azan as the protagonists relocate himself in Dubai!

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Even a bed has a stand, a nightstand!

A friend sent me a Youtube presentation outlining the nitty-gritty details of India's new Farm Bill 2020. This news seems to be the flavour of the month that hit most portals dealing with news from India. Pictures of Sikh farmers in a protest demanding justice is making its appearance in most channels. Wanting to research more into this, in an investigative manner, I approached a few of my many friends about it. Everything has to be taken in context, I finally understand.

The first person I interviewed said that he has no opinions as he is a Malaysian, and things that happen in India does not bother him. His ancestors left Punjab because the state could not provide; hence, he has no love lost. 

Along the way, I find that the media, which is highly influenced by the West, had a lot of negativities to say about India's 'bad' way of handling the situation. One of the darlings of the liberal society, President Justin Trudeau had a lashing towards India's 'unsympathetic' stance towards people.

Next, an economical èmigrè of Indian stock to Canada had this say. Her Prime Minister was merely echoing the world's sentiments. Only he had the fortitude to verbalise what everyone wanted to say but dare not. My opinion, however, is that she must be seen appeasing her Newfoundland, her masters and not appear showing allegiance to her Bharat Mata.

My research has shown me this. The world is a stage and what is fed to us in the media is a narrative with hidden motives acted by a sleight of hand to fulfil specific agendas. There are more than meets the eye.

In essence, the Bill tries to curb two taunting issues. Firstly, the opening of the market to the farmers and abolition of middlemen. With the change, a farmer can trade his produce with any buyer in any state with the market forces determining its price, not middlemen. For this, the substantial subsidies that the Government is forking out are abolished.

The subsidy issue is harped by the Opposition and the breaking India force to vilify Modi. They instigate the farmers to rise to oppose the claimed oppression. Here, the only who tend to lose are the middlemen. After an initial rise in the price of a commodity, the cost of goods would be stabilised by the market forces, according to analysts. The Government asserts that they are not washing their hands of the farmers' and consumers' affairs. They would periodically come in, in times of crisis, to control prices.

The hypocrisy of the Western powers is in display here. At WTO conferences, they chide India for producing cheap produce, under-cutting other producers and reducing their competitiveness. They attribute this to India's generous subsidy to farmers. The support was introduced in the first place for food security after the many famines that it had experienced, including the wheat shortage in the 70s. But, when the support is abolished, they cry foul! The Canadian Prime Minister's rant is political. It is to appease his vote bank; not to mete justice.

One interviewee told me that knowing things like these, something that would not change his day to day, as a means to stimulate his grey cells. He knows what he thinks is insignificant in the void of the Universe. Still, he has a right to have an opinion, rightly or wrongly. Even a bed has a stand, a nightstand. And a pen and an umbrella too.

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Still searching?

Unsolved Mysteries (Documentary, Season 15; 2020)

Netflix (12 episodes)

People always pacify the grieving party to be strong. The truth is out there, and it will eventually surface, they say. That truth will prevail, and the perpetrator will be caught sooner or later. To keep mourning quiet, to give closure, we tell them that justice will be meted eventually; that the long arm of the law will catch up. Nah, these are all stop-gap measures to coo a wailing baby. Some things remain unanswered forever.

The parties featured in this series will be a testimony to that. Many of the tragedies that happened to them occurred long ago, but nothing has come their way to put an end to the many questions that have plagued minds. The family members and friends involved in the few cases depicted in the 12 episodes would probably carry their sorrow to their graves, hoping that they would know everything when they reach the Otherside. Disappointed they would be if there nothing on the other realm- just void, no heaven or hell, just nothing!

The 'Unsolved Mysteries' documentary series is a long going show that tries to highlight cold cases and paranormal activities that has been around since 1987. This particular offering from Netflix was released in two batches of 6 episodes each in July and October 2020. 

Many unexplained things are found in the first episode 'Mystery on the Rooftop' where a writer is found missing from home and later found dead decomposed in a hotel conference room after jumping or pushed off a building. How he went up on to the roof and where he jumped from and why remains the unanswered questions. The funny thing is that his associate refused to divulge any information and was gone hush with the help of lawyers.

In '13 minutes', a likeable salon owner goes missing, only to be found almost 2 years later. The secret of her disappearance lies in the 13 minutes, where there were no activities on her mobile phone. Her husband, an abusive stepfather to her son is a suspect. Another serial killer admitted to murdering her but it turned out to be a false lead.

One of the most gruesome murders narrated here happened in Nantes, France. It involved a mother, her four children and two dogs of the Dupont de Ligonnès family. The father, Xavier, is the prime suspect and is said to have escaped the country and his whereabouts is unknown. We learn about the French aristocrats here and how some have failed over the years as the country became more socialistic in outlook. The whole episode is in French.

'No ride home' is a reminder that the Western world is no more civilised than the rest of the world. They are equally quick to react to people who look and dress differently from them. Alonzo Brooks, a black boy, fails to return home after a party in the deep white country of Kansas. Police and FBI fail to locate the boy, but his body appeared in plain sight when the family and friends conducted a search party. The whole imbroglio reeked of police cover-up and community concealment of a hate crime. Lynching never stopped; it just continued in other ways.

In 1969, there was an alleged UFO sighting and alien abduction in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Diehard fans of 'X Files' would be quite familiar with this. Unfortunately, nothing is found online about this incidence. The episode is an account of the narrative of a few who viewed a bright light in the sky. Two of them experienced being beamed up into the skyship. Radio DJs who were working that night admit receiving calls from listeners. These were pushed aside as pranks, and there are no reports of it in the local newspapers as retrieved from archives.

In one twisted episode, 'Missing Witness', a daughter helped her philandering mother to kill her stepfather. When the case somehow ended up in the court, the witness, the daughter, goes missing. Everybody hunch is that the mother made her daughter disappear, but according to her mother, she had found a man and had moved to another state with no forwarding address. The stepfather and the daughter were never found. Hence, there is actually no case to try.

'Washington Inside Murder' tells the case of a powerful man amongst the inner circle of Capital Hill, John Wheeler III, whose body was found in a dumpster in Delaware. With the help of digital tracking of his mobile device and later with the use of CCTV footage around town after he allegedly lost his phone, investigators had a patchy outline of his activities before his death. Afflicted with bipolar disease, his behaviour appeared bizarre. He was involved in many high-level deals. There is a suspicion that he could have been at the wrong end of a deal gone wrong.

'Death in Oslo' has much resemblance to the Isdal Girl, about a girl found in the icy cold mountainous area of Isdalen Valley in Norway in 1970. One glaring similarity between the Isdal Girl and the girl in this episode who apparently shot herself in a suicide bid in an exclusive hotel in Oslo in 1995 is the cutting of labels off her garments. It is said to be the practice of undercover agents to cover their tract. There were no gun residues on her hand and DNA which was extracted years later did not reveal much. 

In 1965, Lester Eubanks, a sexual predator by today's standards, abducted and killed a 14-year-old girl. He confessed to the murder and was sentenced to die by electrocution. His sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after the State of Ohio stopped the death sentence. Eubanks was an apparently reformed prisoner and was recruited in a reform programme. He was tasked to do Christmas shopping with a few other inmates and is on the run since 1973.

Another exciting episode is on the Tsunami that devasted a remote eastern coastal area of Ishinomaki, Japan, in 2011. The tragedy killed over 20,000 people. Following the event, many people there, family members and even taxi drivers started seeing apparitions. Many had nightmares, others saw bizarre creatures in the distant and shadows in the water. To an outsider, the Japanese seem to appear too religious. Their spirituality actually runs deep. Much like Hinduism, the thin veil that separates life and death is pretty flimsy. Life and death is a continuum. People who have said their proper goodbyes before dying or had close relatives who have had a closure to their loss need spiritual guidance to put people at peace. Japanese also underwent the same turmoil during Hiroshima and Nagasaki mishaps.

'Lady in the Lake' tells about a Michigan church-going lady going missing in 2010. Her body was found two months later in Canada. Police classified it as suicide even though there were family members who had a bone to pick with the deceased. The final episode discusses missing children and possibly child abduction rings.

We can wait till the cows come home (and go back again to graze) for the Truth to surface. We can waste our lives cracking our head trying to prove our point. We can make it our life long ambition to right the wrong, or just move on.

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