IFFI 54, 4: FILMIFFI, In Retrospect, Part II

Continuing my sharing of views and mini-reviews of films screened and seen at the 54^th International Film Festival of India.

The Zone of Interest

We begin with The Zone of Interest, set in Auschwitz. Chronicling the life of a German Commandant, Rudolf Höss, his wife Hedwig, and five children, it shows how attached one can get to a house, garden, orchard and vegetable plot, after taking pain-staking efforts to nurture them make them really beautiful. Based on a 2014 novel of the same name, by Martin Amis, the film is a co-production between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland. The idyllic life of the Höss, family is juxtaposed against the horrors of the Nazi concentration camp in Auschwitz, which are never directly shown, but are present throughout the film through sounds and objects. Directed by Jonathan Glazer, The Zone of Interest is a film that speaks in irony and undertones, it was one of the better films at IFFI.

Rating: ***

Bela América

Imagine a TV star named América standing for the post of President of her country, and a talented, cook, of humble named Lucas, who is madly in love with her. How can he meet her, let alone woo her? But human ingenuity knows no bounds. Lucas enters America’s house in her absence, cooks and leaves delicious meals for her. The way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach. She finds it suspicious at first, but begins to enjoy the culinary treats and develop a soft corner for the cook. A film from Portugal, directed by António Ferreira, Bela América is funny and enjoyable, though not entirely credible. The 102 minutes’ length is just a bit too long.

Rating: ** ½

Seagrass

A title that gives no clue about the plot, Seagrass, a Canadian venture, had its Asia première at IFFI. Novelty of subject and the setting at a remote, self-development retreat, made the film unique in some ways. Yes, it is the age-old saga of couples facing distancing, and children unable to cope with death of a parent, but the addition of the race factor, in the shape of two inter-racial couples, one of the two wives being Japanese Canadian, and arouses curiosity. A female touch is felt quite early in the film, and female sensitivities dot the narrative, written and directed by Meredith Hama-Brown. Meredith made her first film, a short, five years ago, and in her feature debut, manages to impress with her attention to detail and the way she handles child actors.

Rating: ***

Sunday

A gem of a movie came our way from Uzbekistan, called Sunday. With two really old characters at the centre of the plot, it delineates the impact of ‘development’ and ‘changing values’ in the present, which is dusting the past off its shelves. Sunday symbolises a week in the life of the elderly couple, who live in a sprawling country house, but their sons begin to demolish it to make a new home for their youngest son. Actors who fit their roles like gloves (the old woman is not really that old in real life, as we saw at the festival), and a natural setting that highlights the cruelty unleashed on the large-hearted, loving, caring couple by modern times. Written and directed by Shokir Kholikov, Sunday is his debut feature, and the screening was its India première.

Rating: *** ½