Happiness
Caught between a super-star and normal-being; impressive plot to spell
While writing this review, I am aware that I don’t give any spoilers or tell the story, so it might read a little unconventional. Before deciphering, let me clear the thing out to the ones who were busy chastising that the movie might have got inspired from the Hollywood-hit Joker, here is the answer—nowhere even near.
The movie starts with a unique note to keep the audience guessing which reads, “Fictionalized True Story;” with this, the movie can resemble any artiste portrayed by Bipin Karki with the screen name Gopal Dahal aka Chankhe Selfie King. Actually, the movie portrays incident of three days of this screen-entertainer, who has earned name and fame, and kept self-busy in the Tinseltown. The conflict is, he does not know that his popularity has already reached to a peak, and now is in the verge of decline, which he is unaware of. Nevertheless, he believes to be a star, and acts appropriately with fans.
This fictionalized true story can resemble lifestyle of that particular group of artiste in the country, who has definitely earned a lot of fan-followings, but has not been able to maintain their stardom, with the money they are making, even working round-the-clock, jeopardizing family and social life. They even don’t realize that it is the optimum height they can reach, from where, either they have to maintain, or fall as the competition has gone cutthroat with newbies with better talents are barging the way to get in. When Selfie King was performing in Lamjung, and another artiste whom he gave the break, was performing in London—this proves all about his declining career, which he was unaware of.
Basically this is a story of a celebrity— without mask and behind mask, and how society treats him differently when in different colours. Even in the most tragic times of his life, the society wants him to perform to make them laugh, and even when he cries, people interchange it as a part of a show—bursting in laughter— a paradox of hollow celeb life.
The movie shows the back-stage life of a celebrity who has worked his heart out to be in that position. His deteriorating family life, extra-marital affairs, financial hardships, and how he gets ditched with his falling career are the main elements. He cannot help, not to be a dipsomaniac, as per the nature of his job, but at the same time, he is concerned that his family and fans do not know about it. In the movie, in many incidents this particular state-of-mind is picturized perfectly.
The movie looks professional in terms of making, and for story telling, improvisation is not done, keeping it simple with the life-events moving in order. The progression is slow through out the movie; as per the nature of the plot, and for the people who thought it to be falling under comedy genre, actually, it is nowhere even near—as it portrays all elements to put itself in social drama with tragic side on high. The directorial venture is good in all aspects, as all the characters look realistic. As the movie is journey-based, so whatever characters, the protagonist comes through have some relevance in the plot, metaphorically and/or realistically.
Looks like the team has done enough workshop before going in for the shoot, because one shot even goes uninterrupted for almost 8 minutes with heavy dialogues and with melodrama of four characters, still it is showcased to look natural. Instantly, it is followed by another perfect long shot, a confidence that the venture showed on the team. There isn’t much experiment done with the background score, anyways it sounds natural.
As far as the songs are concerned, Keki Adhikari’s stage number proves to be pacifier to the audiences when the melodrama has reached to the boiling point. The tragic number, which follows soon after, happens to be the crux, as it portrays so many hidden feelings.
When one feels that the movie would have been over some 30 minutes before the actual close, actually, they must have missed the trick, as the movie goes through many twist and turns until the credits lit up, leaving ample room to guess what would happen at the end.
The cinematography is great; the only room left to show the skills was on the travel from Kathmandu to Salleri-Solukhumbu, which is cashed in well. The drone shots are well affected to glorify the roads and scenery to awestruck viewers’ mind. What is done more beautifully is, how they mingled the shots to the mood. When the mood of the character happens to be gloomy, they got the perfect shot even from high range.
The use of patriarchy, and beliefs in Hinduism are well connected in the story. How a son is more important than others, when it comes to doing the final ritual of parents, and how Panchang—a belief that if someone dies during that time, the dead should be cremated in stipulated time, or it may kill five members of the family is well justified to add twist in the concluding plot.
In some aspects the movie has lacked. In an incident when it is said that the vehicle is jam-packed when Selfie King demands for the front seat, but the visualization shows different. One of the front seats is empty, and even one seat is left vacant in the middle aisle. May be the director wanted those extra space to root camera for the moving shots. The last scene can be talked about because the character is shown to be carrying something that has a strong symbolic meaning in the plot, but analyzing it from the ‘crunch of time perspective,’ is it relevant? May be the director wanted to add an extra doze of emotion.
Don’t know whether the censor board has loosened its screws, as none of the obscene words are censored—I remember them to be at least five times.
After a long drought in Nepali Cinema, not only production team can heave a sigh of relief but also avid-cinema lovers. The initial days might not be the heydays but—with word-of-mouth spreading, it should pick up the pace.
The verdict is, do watch it, as the movie should not disappoint you. Anyway, don’t expect any slapstick comedy but be ready to be touched to your emotional senses.
Rating: 4/5
Watch the trailer
Happiness
The Hero – The Bollywood story
A short-film that feels like 2-hour long Bollywood for good.
Documentary
Who will be a Gurkha
Who Will Be a Gurkha shows the 200 years old selection process of Nepalis youth into British Gurkha. Directed by Kesang Tseten, the documentary shows the selection process, sentiments and emotions of young candidates, their struggles and dreams, along with the recruiters and their duties, which otherwise is less known world for others.
Comic books was part of my growing up, and then came English movies and series. I am that “Government school guy,” which means my English was terrible (it still is but it was worst). Thanks to the subtitles, I would watch anyway and with time, things started getting smoother and easier for me as English didn’t seem that hard. Until now, I was still a Hollywood fanboy. It’s only after meeting that one friend in college, who happened to be a big fan of anime, that I learned about that thing. At first, like everybody else, I thought anime is cartoons made for kids. The friend introduced me to anime world, and through him, I learned that there is this one anime called “One Punch Man” that anime community is going gaga about. So, I got curious by the title and gave a shot. Guess what? I got hooked with anime like magnet to iron. And here I am giving my opinion about anime and why it is superior form of entertainment in this world filled with movies and TV shows. Yes, SUPERIOR!
So, what is anime?
Anime is just the animated motion picture version of comic book called Manga. Manga is the original source materials for the anime. It is a picture book with all the actions, dialogues, and everything that a comic book contains produced by exceptionally good and creative artists. It can differ from simple kid shows to shows which deals with heavy real world politics too.
The original source of these mangas and anime are from Japan but nowadays it’s spreading into other countries like Korea and China too. Mangas and anime are so popular in Japanese culture that it is part of school curriculum.
My recommendation
There are lots of high quality animes out there. Some of my favourites are:
One Piece
This is my favourite among all the favourites. This was first published around the year 1999. The storyline is about pirates and their shenanigans. It’s kind of light hearted with touch of comedy but it actually sends out the message related to an oppression of the people by those from a higher power; it covers racism, slavery; shows what real freedom feels like, so for people who like deep characterization, value of friendship, value of dream and tackle of real world problems, then this show is definitely for you.
Death Note
This is another boundary breaking show. It gives the message that if you do bad things with good intention for good of the people, it’s still bad. This anime is about hero who wants to save others, and a psychopath who will kill all for achieving peace. It is detective-type story with main character being Kagami Light and Detective L. So for people who like cat-mouse race story, this show is definitely for you. This anime generally falls under starter pack for new comer in anime world.
Demon Slayer
It’s not boundary breaking in terms of characterization or in a story too but its boundary breaking in animation. When it first came out, people lost their mind over its animation. With awesome cinematography using excellent animation, this anime defined the new era in anime world. So, those who like to feel the evolution of anime world should not miss this one to feel the differences and how anime world changed with time.
The Promised Neverland
This anime belongs to the horror genre and took the genre to a whole new level. It has simple story with no as such monsters like creature, but it deals with a bunch of kids from age 4/5 to 12 years old, who are kind of genius for their age and are trying to run away from their orphanage which they found out is the place meant to harvest these kids for the monsters living out in the world. If you like horror genre then this shows is definitely for you and its animation is also of topnotch.
Okay, I am done! Now go check out on your own some of the best animes available and you know will what I meant. All I can say for now is, if you are multimedia entertainment fan then anime is something you have been missing for a long time. Containing entertainment of every genre, with topnotch cinematography using crisp animation and dealing with real world problem in a very subtle and metaphorical way, then anime is what you need to watch right now. Go watch it.
Tastebuds Assessment 2021
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