MUTTERINGS #66: TERE BINA.....

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi

Kaash Aisa Ho Tere Qadmo Se,
Chun Ke Manzil Chale Aur Kahi
Door Kahi - 2
Tum Gar Saath Ho, Manzilo Ki Kami To Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi

Jee Mein Aata Hai, Tere Daaman Mein,
Sar Jhuka Ke Ham Rote Rahe,
Rote Rahe - 2
Teri Bhi Aankho Mein, Aansuo Ki Nami To Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi

Tum Jo Keh Do To Aaj Ki Raat,
Chaand Doobega Nahi,
Raat Ko Rok Lo -2
Raat Ki Baat Hai, Aur Zindagi Baaki To Nahi

Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koyi, Shikwa, To Nahi,
Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi, Shikwa Nahi
Tere Bina Zindagi Bhi Lekin, Zindagi, To Nahi,
Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi, Zindagi Nahi

From the movie "Aandhi" (1975), starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen. Playback by Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. Music by Rahul Dev Burman and lyrics by Gulzar.

MUTTERINGS #66: TERE BINA.....

MUTTERINGS #64: WHERE CAN I FIND ANOTHER...

OMG...after such a  long time I listened to one of my favourite Malay songs from my favourite Malay actor, singer, musician and director, the late Putih Ramlee, better known simply as P Ramlee. This is considered one of his best songs from his famous movie, Ibu Mertua Ku (My Mother-In-Law).

The storyline revolves around the tragic love affair between Kassim Selamat (P Ramlee), a poor musician, and Sabariah Mansur (Sarimah), an heiress of a wealthy woman. The movie is notable in that the opening act starts out as a light-hearted romantic comedy, but at the 30 minute mark turns into a dramatic tragedy. For the full story, go to WIKIPEDIA. This film is considered a Malaysian classic, and is remembered for the song "Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti" (Where Can I Find Another) and the famous eye-stabbing scene during the film's climax. Enjoy the video clip. Lyrics and translation provide below.



Lyrics:

Hendak ku nangis
Tiada berair mata
Hendak ku senyum
Tiada siapa nak teman
Kalaulah nasib
Sudah tersurat
Begini hebat
Apa nak buat

Di mana kan ku cari ganti
Serupa denganmu
Tak sanggup ku berpisah
Dan berhati patah
Hidup gelisah

Alangkah pedih rasa hati
Selama kau pergi
Tinggalku sendirian
Tiada berteman
Dalam kesepian

Dunia terang menjadi gelita
Cahaya indah tiada berguna
Keluhan hatiku
Menambah derita
Namun kau jua
Tak kunjung jelma

Di mana kan ku cari ganti
Mungkinkah di syurga
Untuk kawan berduka
Menangis bersama
Selama-lama

English Translation:

I want to cry
But I have no tears
I want to smile
But there is no one to accompany
If my fate
Has been determined
To be this bad
What can I do

Where can I find another
Like you
I can't bear this parting
And heartbreak
Living in agony

My heart aches so much
Since you've been gone
Leaving me all alone
With no one
In loneliness

The bright world becomes dark
Its beautiful lights become useless
The weeping of my heart
Adds to my sorrow
But you still
Never appear

Where can I find another
Perhaps in heaven
To grief with me
To cry with me
Forever and ever

Source: P. Ramlee's Songs and Lyrics

MUTTERINGS #64: WHERE CAN I FIND ANOTHER...

MOVIE #07: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES 1988 (JAPANESE/ENGLISH ANIME)

I used to admonish my other half when he stayed up late and watched Japanese anime (I am still perplexed as to why it is shown that late at night – usually after 10.00 pm on SBS). It all backfired when one night, with nothing on telly, I watched my first Japanese anime and to boot, it was an offering from the famous Studio Ghibli. Ever since, I have been a fan. If you want to give anime a go, I recommend you start with GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (GOTF) (or Hotaru No Haka in Japanese) from Studio Ghibli, one of the finest anime created and one of the most touching war films ever made, anime or not. It is directed by Isao Takahata, who also wrote the screenplay.

Set in the aftermath of World War II, GOTF focuses on the lives of Setsuko and his young sister Seita and how they struggle against both the elements of wartime and a depreciating Japanese empire. The most striking thing about GOTF is probably how real everything seems and its depiction of the gravity of the era and war. I cried quite a few times during the course of the movie, and by saying this, I hope I have not put off any blokes that may be reading this – it is mushy, yes, but it deals with war, human emotions and sibling love – not the boy meets girl, stick finger down throat, stuff. And what’s wrong with that I say!!! Anyway, I’ll save that argument for another time.

To the movie – With the Japanese empire in crisis and food shortages a daily occurrence, it is heart breaking to see a brother struggle to make ends meet for his sister, who does not understand the gravity of the situation, especially when the children have had an idyllic childhood, sheltered from the war until the war finally arrives in Japan.

It is now 1945 and Japan is losing the war. Setsuko and Seita’s lives crumble when the children lose their mother in a bombing and their father, whilst he is in service with the Japanese navy. Setsuko has to ‘grow up’ overnight and look after his sister. At first, they take refuge at some relative’s place. When the true colours of the relative emerge, Setsuko leaves to fend for himself and his sister. They make do in a cave by the river. What seems like a Huckleberry type fun adventure soon shows its true form. Seita develops skin disease from malnutrition and things get from bad to worse. The kids are forever hungry, and Setsuko has to resort to theft. To find out what happens to the children, I recommend you watch GOTF. I give this movie 5 stars.

PS: Don’t let the release date put you off – the quality of the anime is phenomenal! As you can see from the pictures.

FYI: The story is based on the semi-autobiographic novel by the same name, whose author, Akiyuki Nosaka (born 1930), lost his sister due to malnutrition in 1945 wartime Japan. He blamed himself for her death and wrote the story so as to make amends to her and help him accept the tragedy.

Due to the graphic and truly emotional depiction of the negative consequences of war on society and the individuals therein, some critics have viewed Grave of the Fireflies as an anti-war film. Roger Ebert (American film critic) considers it to be one of the most powerful anti-war movies ever made. Animation historian Ernest Rister compares the film to Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List and says, "It is the most profoundly human animated film I've ever seen."

Websites to check out:

http://www.ghibli.jp/
http://www.nausicaa.net/miyazaki/films/
http://disneydvd.disney.go.com/studio-ghibli.html

MOVIE #07: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES 1988 (JAPANESE/ENGLISH ANIME)

MOVIE #06: THE MAID 2005 (ENGLISH)

During the Chinese Seventh Month, the gates of hell open and spirits are let loose upon an unsuspecting world. For 30 days, the dead walk among the living. To protect themselves, mortals devise rules: Do not swim during the Seventh Month; do not turn your back at night when someone calls out your name; do not talk to strangers on a deserted stretch of road and do not sweep away any offerings to the dead. Be careful, be very careful....

The Maid is a 2005 English-Singaporean horror film (written and directed by Kelvin Teoh) centred on a Filipino maid Rosa, who arrives from the Philippines to work for a Chinese opera musician family, the Teos. She arrives during the Taoist seventh month of the “Hungry Ghost Celebrations”, where she has to quickly familiarise herself to the customs and taboos connected to the Hungry Ghost month and superstitions of her new ‘family’. See the article on Wikipedia HERE for a summation on the Chinese Hungry Ghost Month.

Her employers, the middle age and gentle Mr and Mrs Teo care for her well and their mentally-handicapped son Ah Soon also takes to Rosa. However unbeknown to her, she had unwittingly broken many rules on the first few days of the Hungry Ghost Month. Weird things begin to happen to Rosa. She sees horrific images and senses that someone is watching her. It is another maid who lives across from her and when Rosa tries to speak to her, she always avoids a meeting with Rosa.

Rosa soon corners the girl and finds out that Rosa had a predecessor that used to work for the Teos, Ester, who mysteriously disappeared. The story now takes an interesting turn. From the weird, things begin to get sinister. To find out what happened to Ester and Ester’s connection to Rosa and the Teos, I urge you to watch ‘The Maid’.

Note: The Maid broke the box office record in Singapore for the horror genre, making S$700,000 on its opening weekend.

It won the European Fantastic Film Festival Federation (EFFFF) Asian Film Award at the 10th Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival (PiFan). The EFFFF Asian Film Award is a prize awarded to the best Asian film of the year by the federation, of which PiFan is a supporting member.

The movie stars Filipino superstar Alessandra de Rossi (Rosa), Hong Huifang (Mrs Teo), Chen Shucheng (Mr Teo) and newcomer Benny Soh (Ah Soon).

My verdict: 4 star.

PS: Just thought I'd better remind you, it's Friday the 13th today!

MOVIE #06: THE MAID 2005 (ENGLISH)

MOVIE #05: JEWEL THIEF 1967 (HINDI)

Not sure whether I should be separating my jottings when I am writing about a movie with soundtracks. Oh well, until I can come up with a better idea, I’ll keep the movie review and music review separate.

Jewel Thief is a 1967 Hindi crime thriller produced by Navketan films (Dev Anand's production house) and directed by Vijay Anand (Dev Anand’s brother). The music is by Sachin Dev Burman (see my post on the music of Jewel Thief HERE). The film stars veteran actor Ashok Kumar, 1960s heart-throb Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala, Tanuja (mother of actress Kajol) and the beautiful Helen.

The film was a box office hit and is considered THE crime thriller of Bollywood (a term used to describe the Hindi language movie industry in India). I totally agree that Jewel Thief is a movie ahead of its time - when most of the movies produced during this era and the next had issues with story line continuity!

To the movie. Vinay, played by Dev Anand, is young man who finds himself constantly mistaken for a look-alike jewel thief named Amar. Vinay is able to prove that he is not the Jewel Thief and co-operates with the police (whose Commissioner is actually his father) to locate this elusive Amar - only to find himself embroiled in devious schemes that sees him ending up with amnesia and making him the target of every policeman, in India (including his pa, of course).

The acting in this movie is superb although I have to add that Vyjayantimala seems to be at her chubbiest here (yet still able to be quite desirable – you go girrrl) and Tanuja is too cute. I also loved Helen’s appearance and item number in the movie. BTW, one question has always plagued me with pre 1980s Hindi movie – why do most of the western ‘two piece’ costumes always have a nude sheer lining to give it the illusion of a two piece garment when it is actually only a one piece garment! It then does not match the skin colouring of the actress and looks as if a fashion disaster has occurred. If it is a case of modesty, aren’t most Indian attires, like the sari and/or ghangra choli, two pieces of clothing that bares the midriff, with only a wispy bit of chiffon (if that) worn as a sash? Hmmmm…..Go figure!!! And the pointy bras! What's that all about?

Again, nothing to do with the movie, but isn’t the “pom-pom” sari worn by Vyjayantimala a riot? So love the 60s....

So, if you love a good spy movie with plenty of ohs, ahs and twists like the roads in Sikkim (where parts of the movie was filmed), Jewel Thief is definitely a movie not to be missed.

Veen’s rating: 5 stars

NB: Jewel Thief OST post to follow....

MOVIE #05: JEWEL THIEF 1967 (HINDI)

MOVIE #04: A TALE OF TWO SISTERS 2003 (KOREAN)

When it comes to recent makings of horror movies, my opinion is unshakeable – the Orientals make far better horror movies than the West. Mind you, I am not saying that Hollywood movies aren’t great….it’s just that I think Asians, with all our superstitious and whatnots, have come up with some really, really novel stories and ideas…a far cry from the ‘flying ghosts’ you used to see in Chinese movies of the 70’s and 80’s!

Take for example ‘The Ring’. It is undisputed that the Japanese version fares much better than the Naomi Watt movie. Then there are Chinese movies like ‘The Eye’, Thai movies such as ‘Nang Nak’ and ‘Shutter’ and Singapore with it’s offering of the ‘The Maid’ (I will post a blog on this soon). Then there is ‘A tale of two sisters’.

A Tale of Two Sisters is a 2003 South Korean psychological horror film. It is directed by Kim Ji-woon and is both the highest-grossing Korean horror film and the first to be screened in American theatres.

The film is inspired by a Joseon Dynasty folktale entitled "Janghwa Hongreyon-jon", which has been adapted to film several times.

You are intrigued from the start and because you know it is a horror movie, you are forever on your guard but the scary bits arrive when you least expect it. That for me adds to the appeal. You feel the love that the sisters’ share and you share their hatred for their step mother and anger towards their father. Horror aside, it actually is a really good movie and I recommend that you watch this….but if you are faint hearted, preferably with someone who is not easily ‘disturbed’ with supernatural themes. It is also a bit of a tear jerker, so have the hankies handy. And watch out for that closet!

Veen's rating: 4 stars
 

MOVIE #04: A TALE OF TWO SISTERS 2003 (KOREAN)

MOVIE #03: BLACK AND WHITE 2008 (HINDI)

Black and White is a 2008 hindi movie from director Subhash Ghai. The movie is very unlike Ghai’s style as he usually makes movies in the typical Bollywood style. There may be some factual and reality flaws in the movie, but those aside, it makes good entertainment!

The story is based on the true life terrorist attack on India’s Parliament on 13 December 2001, when a Delhi University professor (SAR Geelani) was held responsible for his links with the terrorists. Like Geelani, Professor Rajan Mathur (played by Anil Kapoor) also teaches Urdu in the Zakir Hussain College and unwittingly becomes associated with a suicide bomber, Nomair Qazi (played by newcomer Anurag Sinha) who comes all the way from Afghanistan to blow up the Red Fort in New Delhi on India’s Independence Day.

The bomber resumes the identity of an old poet’s dead grandson, who was a victim of the 2002 Gujarat riots and takes up residence with the old man. He also wins the sympathy of the college professor and his activist wife (played by Shefali Shah).

Nomair has fourteen days to plan his suicide mission and conveniently uses the simple professor and his emotionally exuberant wife to gain entry into the highly secured Red Fort. In those two weeks, Nomair learns that not everything is black and white. And that love is stronger than hate. You can check this movie out HERE.

Veen's Rating: 3.5 Stars

MOVIE #03: BLACK AND WHITE 2008 (HINDI)

MOVIE #02: THE RED KEBAYA 2006 (ENGLISH/MALAY)

It has been nearly 17 years since I watched a new Malay movie (my mum bought me some P Ramlee movies a few years back) and I was very surprised to see a Malay movie for sale at JB Hifi. Mind you, I paid $28.95 for the DVD, so I was hoping that it would be good and I was not TOTALLY disappointed.

BTW, if you are wondering what a KEBAYA is, it is a traditional figure hugging blouse, worn with a sarong, by women in the South-East Asia region, namely in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Burma, Singapore, southern Thailand and some parts of Cambodia. It is sometimes made from sheer material (with intricate embroidery), with a chemise style lining beneath. It can also be short, stopping at the hips (see picture below), or long, usually stopping at mid thigh.

The movie is a Malaysian period drama set in the 1950s and is directed by Oliver Knott and produced by Andre Berly and Ramli Hassan. In summary, the story begins in the present day, with Latiff (Ramli Hassan, who is also the producer) a famous but lonely photographer who was orphaned as a child. He decides to photograph abandoned houses around Malaysia as his latest project and on his journey, he is haunted by images of places, children, people and a red kebaya that that he cannot comprehend. His journey takes him to the island of Penang and one day, he ‘sees’ the red kebaya in an antique shop window. As he enters the shop to inquire about the dress, he has a sense of ‘déjà vu’ when he meets the shop owner; but is told that he is mistaken - there is no red dress in the window. Latiff then sees a photograph of a house in the shop and is mesmerised by his find. He inquires about the location of the house and decides to visit it; finding it to be derelict, on the foothill of the famous Penang Hill.

Latiff finds himself transported to the past and witnesses events that occurred in the house. In his flashback, Latiff is transported to the time when the British were still in Malaya (Malaya gained its independence in 1957 and became known as Malaysia in 1963). He sees an Englishman, John Reynolds (Bob Mercer), who is trapped in a stifling marriage with his xenophobic wife. When his wife, Davinia (Samantha Schubert), briefly leaves Malaya for England, John becomes involved with a beautiful joget (a type of dance popular in Malaya until the early 70s) escort dancer, named Azizah (Vanidah Imran) who also has a young son. For the first time in a very long time, John finds happiness in his life with Azizah and her son - until a tragedy occurs.

Through this experience, Latiff comes to understand the significance of the Red Kebaya in his visions. I would not say that it was an excellent movie but it has a great storyline and would have been a better movie if it was executed properly. In my opinion, Ramli Latiff was a bit stiff in his role, maybe because of the language – he tried too hard to articulate his speech; in other words, to speak the queen’s English. Vanidah played her part pretty well but I believe that her role should have been made slightly more coy when she meets Mr Reynolds (Bob Mercer) again for the second time; noting that she is supposed to be playing a simple and demure woman, who only becomes an escort dancer in order to provide for her young son.

Bob Mercer got better in his acting as his role progressed but I think it was part of the role he played. However, Samantha Schubert stole the limelight as the detestable Davinia Reynolds, portraying a woman who obviously did not like the ‘colonies’ and found the locals to be beneath her. She played the part of a woman scorned to perfection. My main grievance was with regards to the role of Patrick Teoh, the antique shop owner. I believe the director should have introduced his role better in the movie. I could not connect to the significance of his presence in the movie.
Having said this, would I watch this movie again? For sure. And I would recommend you do too if you enjoy period films. The movie does give you a sense of nostalgia.

My rating: 3 Stars

MOVIE #02: THE RED KEBAYA 2006 (ENGLISH/MALAY)

MOVIE #01: DOCTOR ZHIVAGO 1965 (ENGLISH)

The movie Doctor Zhivago is based on the novel of the same name, written by Boris Pasternak and published in 1957. The novel is named after its protagonist, Yuri Zhivago, a medical doctor and poet. The word zhivago shares a root with the Russian word for life, one of the major themes of the novel. It tells the story of a man torn between two women, set primarily against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Russian Civil War of 1918-1920. More deeply, the novel discusses the plight of a man as the life that he has always known is dramatically torn apart by forces beyond his control. The book was made into a film by David Lean in 1965 and has also been adapted numerous times for television. It is also one of the best known political novels of the century. It remains one of my favourite movies and books.

The screen adaptation, directed by David Lean, was an epic and starred Omar Sharif, Julie Christie, Geraldine Chaplin, Rod Steiger, Alec Guiness and Tom Courtenay. Lean concentrated on the romance aspect in the movie and the gamble succeeded, making Dr Zhivago a worldwide blockbuster. Ironically,the movie was not released in Russia until near the time of the fall of the Soviet Union. To be precise, it was released in 1994. David Lean is one of my favourite directors and is no wonder that all of my favourite English movies, namely ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ and ‘A Passage to India’, are all directed by David Lean.

Doctor Zhivago is definitely one of his most outstanding works. Omar Sharif delivers one of his best performances of his career and if I have one complaint about Lean, is his callousness for not putting Omar’s name at the beginning of the credits. As the main character of the movie (and title role), he should have afforded Omar the courtesy. Geraldine Chaplin was credited before Omar, although she had a lesser role but carried more fame maybe, because she is the daughter of Charlie Chaplin. Julie Christie was stunning in her role as Lara and Maurice Jarre’s music, Lara’s Theme has got to be one of my most favourite pieces of music.

The main character of the movie, Doctor Zhivago is a poet and a medical doctor, who at the beginning of the 20th Century, is caught in the historical Bolshevik revolution. He marries his childhood friend, Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin), finds that there is beauty beyond deceit, by starting an affair with an enigmatic lady which appears often in his path in the most unnoticeable of moments. Their destiny is as confused as Russia in the turmoil of its civil war. This is a long story (four hours) and is a movie to be enjoyed and not rushed. Make sure that you have plenty of comfort food, a comfortable sofa and no distractions when you watch this movie and take the beautiful trip into the past and enjoy the beautiful scenery and movie that is DOCTOR ZHIVAGO.

My verdict: 5 Stars.

Trivia: The film was shot in Spain, and not Russia, during the regime of General Francisco Franco. While the scene with the crowd chanting the Marxist theme was being filmed (at 3:00 in the morning), police showed up at the set thinking that a real revolution was taking place and insisted on staying until the scene was finished. Apparently, people who lived near where filming was taking place had awoken to the sound of revolutionary singing and had mistakenly believed that Franco had been overthrown. As the extras sang the revolutionary Internationale for a protest scene, the secret police surveyed the crowd, making many of the extras pretend that they didn't know the words.

MOVIE #01: DOCTOR ZHIVAGO 1965 (ENGLISH)