Wednesday 24 September 2014

Film No. 68 (2014) Siddharth September 22nd.

Film No. 68 (2014) September 22nd. 6:30 PM PARADISO Northbridge.


Siddharth


We hear so much about Bollywood, India's bigger than big film industry. It's Hollywood to this vast population of film lovers all vying to escape to another world of imaginative dazzle. Then there comes a film like Siddharth, a film so powerful in its depiction of the real agonies faced by some of India's inhabitants you'll sit in stunned silence as the credits roll, thankful in the knowledge life's lottery has been kinder to you.

When Mehendra (Rajesh Tailang) cannot even produce the simplest of memories of his son Siddharth, a photograph for the authorities, we know his plight to find his boy will be unimaginably difficult. This tale is based on a true story; a story told too often by families in the poor quarters of cities throughout India. 

The story is simple; we meet a humble chain-wallah Mehendra and his family, wife Suman (Tannishtha Chatterjee) and cheeky daughter Pinky (Khushi Mathur)living hand to mouth from day to day in a room the size of a small bedroom (without a door) in the back streets of Delhi. They have recently sent their 12 year old son off to work in a larger town some distance away so that he might earn added income so the family may raise their fortunes from the dirt poor to merely just poor. He is expected home after a month but he does not return. Racked with guilt and remorse Mehendra takes us from one frustrating dead end to another as we accompany him on his search for his son.

Cinema is such an adventure. We take a risk by paying our money to be taken on an emotional ride whenever we venture into these theatres. The emotional ride that Siddharth offers is excruciatingly painful but it also offers us the opportunity to feel true compassion towards others. Not all film goers seek this experience, it is not for everyone. But if you'd like the opportunity to journey with strong and courageous people who live with stress that we cannot imagine then go see Siddharth. You will walk away with a greater appreciation of all you have.  9GUMS  



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