asm34 Reviews

Bashu, the Little Stranger (1989)

The best Iranian Film

[9 January 2003]

Bashu is an amazing movie by any standard. I have watched Kiarostami, Makhmalbaf, Panahi, Majidi, but Beyzai supersedes them all inthis great film.

The story is nothing new and nor is it complex. But the way the director showed the complex undertones of complete stranger Bashus psychology was astounding.

My hats off to Beyzai: "YOU ARE THE MASTER"

Kanchenjungha (I) (1962)

It is a great movie

[9 January 2003]

I think this is a great movie by any standard. This is also a very complex one. People who are familiar with Ray's Apu Triology will find it difficult to grasp the fact that the same ray is the director of this film.

Kanchenjungha deals set in hilly areas deals with 20th century problems in pristine location. Problems that we try to suppress in daily life, seems to get revealed and exposed to everybody else. It is like we are revealing ourselves as Kanchenjungha is exposed through bright sunlight.

Please note that you have to be patient with this movie. It is very different from all other Ray movies. Furthermore, there exists no central character. It is probably the most underrated of all Ray movies.