~ Let the Sky fall... at Skyfall ~

I watched many Bond movies, but my favorite Bond is Daniel Craig. Okay, seems I belong to the younger generation... though I´m 33 years old. But only Daniel made Bond interesting for me. So I watched "Casino Royale" many times. My little brother is a big "Don - The chase begins again" Fan. I suggested him "Casino Royale" and some day he watched it and was in awe, too. Together we talked days and nights about CR and QoS. We watched it in german, in english, we simply wanted to understand everything. After Shahrukh brought us two-gether, now it was Daniel who created new rituals for us siblings. I enjoyed all discussions. My brother is half my age and that gives our discussions more layer and views. He watched "Skyfall" few days back, but don´t know if he liked it. Here`s my review now.

When I saw the first trailer, my first thought was: "Oh noooo, why so short hair, Daniel?" Mmmh so I´m still asking, coz I got no answer during the movie. I didn´t liked his short hairs. In the next movie maybe he has no hairs. No no, I don´t liked that. Just one minus point does not suffice for this. I had to bear it the whole time. It got better when his beard grew a little. Daniel looks stunning with stubbles. Well, okay I equalise his look by adding pluspoints for his stubbles. BUT there was another thing I didn´t understand. He had a Bondgirl, but no sex with her? Plus she shaved his holy stubbles !!! with a RAZOR. Nooo. How could she? She´s a bad girl. Too bad for our good Bond. Better don´t sleep with her. Okay Plus-point for that. ;-)

Another "but"... I didn´t understand why Sam Mendes compressed so much story in so few scenes. I felt he cutted many scenes. Not just the action is faster, also the storytelling. :-( In one scene Bond got to know a girl, in the next scene he takes a shower with her. Nooo, that was weird. Maybe the audience should decide wether it's just a dream or reality. But he was on the boat, in her room. Must be true, ayooo. If that scene was cutted, I wish it's available on the dvd later. Honestly I´m not much interested in a story. I just want to enjoy the picture in front of my eyes. They can talk what they want, it will make sense, if I like what I see. But if I can´t see beauty or truth and pure emotions, then I can´t understand the story. Then it's a bad story or -telling. I´m sorry.

There was almost no relationship between Bond and his girls. Many emotions got missed. There were some small emotional scenes between Bond and M. I enjoyed these few scenes the most. I enjoyed Javier´s great acting. Saw new facets in his eyes. There I found depth, truth and pain. He gave Silva an unique and pure strength. I liked his great lines, just awesome dialogues. It was very entertaining. (Missed Bonds great dialogues.) But Silva had too little screentime. For such a villain you need more screentime and -space. I liked the camera work a lot. I liked the locations. It let me miss London very much. I´m someone who loves to travel with londons tube and I used the District Line a lot. The whole time when Daniel was walking through the tube, I was asking myself: "Uff, why he`s never there, when I´m there?" Minuspoint. :-p

I liked the visuals of Shanghai`s lights and the editing of the whole movie. Love Adele´s Song a lot. Listening it day and night. For me this song promised me more, than I got. With some parts of the story I´m not happy. Most of them were in the second half. The tragic fall at Skyfall was too much and too sad. - Primarily I´m a Daniel Craig Fan, so I will watch his next Bond movies, come what may. I just hope there will be more space for emotions, love, smiles and hairs. My verdict "Casino Royale" is still the best Bond movie with Daniel Craig. I watched it many times and could watch it again right now. But not Skyfall, sorry.

My survival film guide

My childhood was full of rules and laws by fanatic religious men. They told me to obey everyone to survive... but all I knew was: "I just HAVE to SURVIVE!" There was no life which I could enjoy in my real world. My reality was like a strange movie without any logic or happy end. Therefore I preferred to hide myself amongst the movies. That was the best compromise I could make with god. He gave me a fertile imagination, I thanked him and worked with it. I had nothing against god. I´m totally against people who claim that they know god and are qualified to rule over other peoples life. These people came and went by, played their games... I was happy when they left me for some hours.

Like Harish Iyer I put much interest in movies. Not only in watching, also in living and breathing them. I always wished to be at another place. It was great experiencing the real world at least through the movies. Otherwise I was completely seperated from normal kids. I had no childhood. There were always these annoying hours of preaching everywhere. In school I was an outsider, beaten up daily for my parents beliefs... never told them. I was silent, what should I say? Nobody listened, anyway I had no character. I was a brainwashed slave who has to preach, pray and sell her soul. Only in my fantasy I had a VOICE.

 As a teenage girl in the middle of the 90s I loved "The Outsider", "Breakfastclub", "St.Elmos Fire", "Taxi Driver", "Stand by me", "Flatliners", "Big", "Con Air", "Reality Bites", "Flashback", "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure", "Into the sun", "Fearless", "Gilbert Grape", "The Wonder Years" Serial with Fred Savage and all movies with John Malkovich. He was my star. I identified myself so much with rebells, because I could never break out of my >holy jail<. From the outside I was a well-behaved, honest girl. But in my heart I had lots of questions. Life was just weird for me. Being alive just to obey others made no sense.

I started writing books at the age of 12. My stories were full of adventures, of crime and fights. I fought for a little piece of personality. But never realised, that I already had an own will. I was a master in ignoring my own wishes. As long as I had the movies I lived with a good compromise. While thinking of my past I see lots of movie sequences. I still own all videotapes where I recorded the movies, to watch them over and over again. Large number of these movies I know inside out... using their lines - at least in my head - to bear bad situations.

Another movie I loved a lot for its special mood and hidden message is "American Beauty". I identified myself so much with Wes Bentley and Chris Cooper, whom I adore. Also "Donnie Darko" is a great movie. I know I forgot the most movies, but few awesome movies were also: "Equilibrium", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "American Psycho", "Scarface", "Try Seventeen", "Shutter Island", "Monster", "Vanilla Sky", "Spun", "Crazy/Beautiful", "Vicky, Christina, Barcelona", "I am Sam", "Monkey Love", "The Town", "Bardiem Biutiful", "A little trip to heaven", "Brick", "Igby Goes down", "Inception", "Godfather I-III" and "Looper".

Since 2005 I watch indian movies and there it`s difficult to find special movies, which I gave 10/10 points. I really love many of them, but gave full marks just to very few, compared to the 400 I watched. My first movie which broke that record was "Khaash" (1987 Jackie Shroff, Dimple Kapadia), then "Dil" (1990 Aamir, Madhuri) "Anniyan" (Tamil 2005, Vikram); "My brother... Nikhil" (2005 Sanjay Suri, Juhi); "Kannathil Muthamittal" (2002 Madhavan); "Madrasapattinam" (2010 Arya); "Pattiyal" (2006 Arya); "GOW I+II" (2012 Manoj, Nawaz); "The japanese wife" (2010 Rahul Bose) and "15 Park Avenue" (2005 Rahul Bose, Konkona).

Others with 9/10 are "I am", "Kurbaan", "Champion", "Tere Naam", "Kites", "Main Aisa Hi Hoon", "Khal Nayak", "Kanthaswamy" (tam), "Simhadri" (tel) and "Vaastav". There are many to watch in the future, I ordered all titles from Anurag Kashyap. He´s the MASTER. He has a brilliant taste in movies and whatever he and his crew is suggesting, I will watch and decide. A very passionate moviebuff is Haider Beig. I´m so happy by meeting him due to the "Gangs of Wasseypur" Screening in Hamburg with the man himself >Anurag Kashyap<. What he unites, will never be seperated, hehe. It was pure destiny and surely too much luck to deserve in one small lifetime. I´m happy and thankful forever. The journey just started.

My whole life I was inspired and powered by movies. It gave me oxygen to breath and a voice to remember within. Now I support young filmmaker, independent cinema and social groups with my whole heart. I never stood up and fought for my freedom. I was imprisoned for 21 endless years. Nobody has the right to decide over one another. KEEP FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS AND DREAMS. At least I started ten years ago and I am free. Trust your heart, follow your passion. One day it will all make sense. :-)

Anksuni

My brother ... Nikhil (eng)

A very touching movie which include the audience a lot. We´re listening to Anu´s (Juhi Chawla) story about her brother Nikhil (Sanjay Suri). He is a successful championship swimmer till his doctor diagnose HIV+. He is shunned by all sides. He is thrown out of the swimming team and put into a sanatorium. Only his sister, her boyfriend and Nikhils friend Nigel (Purab Kohli) fighting for his rights. With the help of a lawyer they try their best. A long journey starts and the audience accompany Nikhil from a close range.

Its important to get very close to Nikhil. Onir did a great job, while grabbing onto that essential aspect. The song "Le chale" supports every epoch of Nikhils life. Rarely you get involved so much into a movie. The intensive emotions immediately spread towards the viewer. The strong performances transform a movie into a real-life-documentary. You´re so close, that your´re sympathise and reflect your own behavior towards HIV infected people. I enjoyed the love between Anu and Nikhil. It reminds me of my little brother. He means everything to me and the movie always force you to think really deep about such incidents, which can happen to everyone. It made me very sad.

It needs lots of courage to make an indian movie with that topic. My respect to Onir and Sanjay Suri. In 2005, when the movie was released, I think it was very difficult to confront the indian audience with such an unpleasant truth. Still today the work for AIDS awareness goes on. Two days ago (July 28, 2012)  "My brother Nikhil" was screened for educational work in Andamans - Port Blair. It was a break from tradition in Port Blair, but was received with great understanding and interest by an open minded audience. I wish MBN many more public screenings. :-) This awesome movie is a timeless journey into your own heart, into your mind und let grow your respect and affection to all kind of people. Lots of thanks to Onir for standing up and fighting for HIV+ infected people and their proper treatment. I am also very thankful and impressed by Sanjay Suri´s authentic and sensitive performance as Nikhil.

My brother ... Nikhil (de)

Ein Film der sehr berührt und die Zuschauer enorm miteinbezieht. Wir hören Anu´s (Juhi Chawla) Geschichte über ihren Bruder Nikhil (Sanjay Suri). Er ist ein erfolgreicher Schwimmer, bis er eines Tages den Befund HIV positiv bekommt. Er wird von allen Seiten gemieden, aus dem Schwimm-Team geworfen und in ein Sanatorium gesteckt. Nur seine Schwester, ihr Freund und Nikhils Freund Nigel (Purab Kohli) kämpfen für ihn. Mit Hilfe einer guten Anwältin versuchen sie ihr Bestes. Es wird ein langer harter Weg und das Publikum begleitet Nikhil aus nächster Nähe.

Die Nähe ist sehr wichtig und Regisseur Onir hat das enorm gut umgesetzt. Der Song "Le Chale" unterstreicht die jeweiligen Epochen in Nikhil´s Leben. Selten wird man so sehr in einen Film gesogen, wie bei MBN. Die intensiven Emotionen greifen sofort auf den Zuschauer über. Die starken Darstellungen machen aus dem Film eine Art Dokumentation. Man ist so nah dabei, daß man mitleidet und sein Verhalten gegenüber HIV infizierten Menschen überdenkt. Auch die Geschwisterliebe wurde so gut dargestellt, daß ich oft an meinen Bruder denken mußte. Dies intensivierte natürlich die Schlußszenen. Aber wie im Film geschildert, kann eine HIV Erkrankung jeden treffen. Es gibt leider zuviele Ansteckungsmöglichkeiten.

Ich finde es sehr mutig von Onir und Sanjay Suri dieses Thema in Indien aufzugreifen. 2005 - als der Film erschien - war es sicher schwer das indische Publikum damit zu konfrontieren. Auch heute noch sorgt MBN für Aufklärungsarbeit, zB in Andamans - Port Blair. Vor zwei Tagen,  am 28 Juli 2012, wurde der Film in Verbindung mit dem Schwerpunkt auf AIDS gezeigt. Für Port Blair ein Bruch der Tradition. Die kontroversen und heiklen Aspekte des Films wurden vom Publikum dennoch mit großem Verständnis und Interesse aufgenommen. Ich wünsche MBN noch viele weitere öffentliche Vorführungen. Der Film ist eine zeitlose Reise hinein in unser eigenes Herz, in unseren Verstand und läßt hoffentlich eines jeden Achtung und Mitgefühl wachsen. Mein Respekt an Sanjay Suri, der Nikhil so authentisch und verletzlich darstellen konnte.

How "Satyamev Jayate" changed my life

The last episode was broadcasted today. While watching every episode it brought my german heart more closer to India. It always was very close since 7 years. Now I learned much more about the problems, but also the solutions. My heart is full of love towards India. There is no day left without indian music, indian food or friends... and the everlasting dream of visiting the country. I´m  always fascinated, love hindi cinema and wish to be born there. India is like my family, but for indians I was a stranger.

When I listened to each and every problem on the SMJ show, my heart was full of pain. I wanted to help everybody, but how? I spread the word and awareness. But the second episode about "Child sexual abuse" changed my life completely. It was HARISH Iyer who left me speechless. His sentence "I was living two lives. One in which I was abused. The other when I was not. I had created two compartments in my psyche and I never wished the two to become ONE. " After hearing that, I needed a break. Hearing my thoughts through his mouth, I felt very connected. I lived my life in the same way. Suddenly I was captured in my past, knewed every pain and helplessness like it was yesterday. I went on watching Harishs story. I cried and couldn´t bear the words from his mom, when she talked about her first reaction towards him. I felt very unwell and it put me into a deep reminder of my childhood. I know why his mom told us about her reactions, bcoz thats the truth. Most of the time it happens like that. My parents went on beating me, abusing me and giving me brainwashings. I could´t act like a normal child. Always imprisoned in their own reality and sect to follow advices of other mighty men. From birth till I was 17 (when I left my parents house), I endured every inhuman behavior from them. There was nobody to listen or help me. My sister went through the same. We both created our own world to survive that hell. Like Harish I watched movies with another intension. I just needed a glimpse of caring humans in this world. I connected with the movies very much. Saw my life as a part of it. Like Sridevi gave him all his strength. I always wanted to be someone else. Because I thought I´m not welcome, the way I was.

When I left home I was lost in this strange world I never experienced before. Trying to ignore my past and move on with hard work and normal behavior. Since 15 years I´m avoiding my past and move on. But my head is full of nightmares. 17 years of my life were worthless. Wether I had an own personality, nor did I have the ability to form a friendship. I managed to live alone and be happy with that. That day I watched Harish Iyer on tv changed my life. I saw all my emotions in his eyes, it was impossible to hide my feelings and worries anymore. NOBODY should be silent with a past like Harish Iyer, Ganesh Nallari or Cinderella Prakash. For the first time in my life I talked to a public audience about my past and the importance to stand up and fight. I got much response and strength to start fighting for a topic, which was always too painful to even think about. The next day I had an appointment with a doctor, but she felt, that some big burden was on my shoulder. I never realised that I couldn´t hide my feelings anymore. I told her my childhood story. I don´t know where I got the strength from to talk to some strangers face about my biggest nightmares. But I dit and she was worried. She said, I can´t live my life by being silent and alone. She recommended me a psychiatrist. But I told her, I will never go there. The next day at work I had a nervous breakdown. For my heart or mind everything was too much. Harish´s words always in my mind, my helplessness, but also my anger were just too much. I tried to be strong, worked the whole week. But my thoughts become mad and I wanted to end the whole unfair game called LIFE. I was happy to find that easy way to jump off. But there was the next appointment with my doctor and when she listend my careless words about quitting life, she didn´t let me go. So I went to a psychiatrist and we had a two hour long talk. Never before in my life I would ever do that. I didn´t trust anybody. But my past was so real for me now, that I sensed a way out of these nightmares. I sensed kind of help, that would really help. I accepted that help from these two doctors and through that my life changed immense.

By learning Onir´s "I AM" (Abhimanyu) is based on Harish & Ganesh´ story I watched the movie and spread the word about it, wherever I was. I wanted to spread that awareness. If children have nobody who help them (if parents are the culprits) they need much support. The whole society should know how to identify strange behavior. When I heard that there was an "I am" screening in switzerland (June 17, 2012) with Onir I visited it and wanted to talk to Onir at all cost. God gave me much luck by giving me the chance not just to talk to Onir, but also spend the whole day with him while enjoying chinese food, having long talkings, sunset and the train ride back to zurich. The next big change in my life came through Onir. We talked about our lifes and he gave me many good advices. I was afraid of following one special advice but yesterday I completed that task and feeling more free and happy. I asked him thousand questions of helping or supporting "Anticlockfilms" and he told me about "Chauranga" and the crowdfunding. He wrote me later to welcome me as a part of "Anticlockfilms" army. I felt immensly happy to be worthful for somebody.

Through "I am" I saw ANURAG Kashyap in the role as Abhimanyu´s father/uncle and was very curious why he did that role. Always inspired by his directing and writing skills, I was much surprised to know about his past as a victim of abusing too. He had a very hard life and many setbacks, but never gave in.  By accident I read on a german cinema page, that Anurag will be in Hamburg but I couldn´t believe that. I asked him on twitter and he answered me, that this it right. So I booked a flight from Switzerland to Hamburg immediately, wether I have that day off or not. One week before I´ve already watched/ read all his interviews, bcoz I was just too much impressed. I always want to help, but only helped people with small problems. I always was too afraid to help people with these deep painful problems. I couldn´t even bear to listen to their stories. When I met Anurag Kashyap (July 12, 2012) in Hamburg a big dream came true. I wanted to ask him many important questions, wrote them down for my friend, she is journalist. But she didn´t asked these questions. Anyway I was very happy while meeting him and watching "Gangs of Wasseypur I + II" with him. He is so nice and friendly. ... On twitter its easy to spread a word :-) But I also want to help children to have a nice childhood. To get a healthy body and mind I started walking long distances. Its very easy to help through "SOS Children villages" with your donating money related to each walked kilometre. I will attend a walkathlon soon and I´m very excited. I was never into walking, becoz I have many problems with my feet and knee. But pain should not hold us back from walking a NEW PATH in life. Even if you make very small steps, the next will follow for sure. I don´t know how much my life will change in the future. I know it all starts with Harish eyes and the way he told his story. He used his deep words so honestly, he surely touched thousands of hearts. ...  I´m still going to a doctor, becoming stronger every day. Fight against injustice and stand up for needy people. It starts by a small decision, to watch Aamir Khans tv show "Satyamev Jayate" and I never ever expected such a change through the people, who spoke about their sad destiny. All of you helped thousands of people and showed them a better way to deal with the pain. DON´T BE SILENT anymore. Thank you Mr Aamir Khan for your effort to make this amazing tv show possible. My honest thanks to all involved people.

Lots of love,
Anksuni

Chauranga - Winner of Music Competition

Anticlock Films gibt den Gewinner der BACKGROUND MUSIC Competition bekannt. Es ist ALOKANANDA DASGUPTA. Er ist der Background Music Director für "Chauranga". Herzlichen Glückwunsch. Onir erzählt, daß viele Teilnehmer sehr gute Arbeit leisteten und er auch mit einigen von ihnen zusammenarbeiten möchte. ~ Hier könnt Ihr Euch den Gewinnertrack anhören: Music by Alokananda

Support "Anticlock Films"

Ich möchte mich dem nächsten Projekt von Onir und Sanjay Suri widmen und ihre neue Filmproduction CHAURANGA unterstützen. Drehstart ist im September 2012. Vor einigen Tagen hat Onir zum Crowdfunding aufgerufen. --> Be a part of CHAURANGA

Noch 87 Tage läuft die Spendenaktion. Ich würde mich sehr freuen wenn interessierte Blogleser Onir und das "Anticlock Films" Team unterstützen würden. Egal wie groß oder klein Euer Spendenbeitrag ist, jede Rupie zählt. :-) Zahlen kann man einfach mit Kreditkarte. Ich werde Euch auf dem Laufenden halten und wünsche dem Projekt gutes Gelingen.