Film Review on the movie 'Mother India'(Channel 4)
One of the first great epics of Indian cinema and a profound influence in Bollywood and beyond. Massive in scope and also running time, it follows a poverty-stricken single mother's struggle to overcome impossible odds and do right by her rebellious son
Mehboob Khan's vast state-of-the-nation address was first shown in 1957 and has been playing pretty much constantly ever since. The first great Bollywood blockbuster, Mother India (Bharat Mata) a purposefully melodramatic musical, liberally laced with action, wit, humour and also a strongly socialist strain.
Told in one long flashback, the story follows Radha (Nargis) through marriage, motherhood and into old age. As a girl she falls for Shamu (Kumar) but even before their wedding the couple owe money to merciless lender Shukhilala (Kanhaiyalal). They start a family, but debt repayments barely cover the interest. Shamu loses both arms in a farming accident and walks out leaving Radha to face famine, flood and the death of a baby alone. Worse, her oldest boy Biju (Dutt) grows into a chillum-smoking bandit, seething with resentment at the way Shukhilala has exploited his family. Much of Khan's work dealt with the strain of a country struggling to make the transition from rural economy to modern state. Radhu is emblematic of that struggle, torn between her love for her rebellious son and her determination to uphold the family's honour. It's a demanding role - Nargis is rarely off screen - but her unrepeatable performance elevated her to the status of national icon. Even Indira Ghandi recognised the power of Nargis' performance and later cast herself as the real life Mother India.
The songs by composer Naushad operate as a sort of chorus, and Khan's sharp direction means that though the film is long (it's generally shown with an interval) it never drags. A blazing fire stands up against plenty of contemporary action footage, but the most memorable moment comes right at the end, with a time-ravaged Radha opening the government's new dam and watching the water, blood red with clay, slowly wash away. VerdictA supreme achievement. Director-writer-producer Mehboob Khan moves easily from high drama to wry comedy, uses music to enhance his dramatic muscle and succeeds in painting a deeply involving portrait of Indian family life.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Scene from the movie 'Mother India'.
This is a very well known song from the movie 'Mother India'. This song shows us the audience how Nargis (Radha) is working hard with her children on the farms. Here there is a lack of a father figure, which therefore makes Nargis look domiante and superioir. The way in which we can relate this study back to my text 'Provoked' is that we can say they both are showing a lack of fatherly figure, as in Provoked Aishwarya kills her husband in the beginning and in 'Mother India' there father dies (Nargis's husband). Furthermore we can also say that in 'Mother India' we see 3 childrens, which can be related to my study as in 'Provoked' Aishwarya has got 2 children. This is a key thing, the reason for this being is because the children would probably view their mothers as being 'dominant' and as the 'breadwinner'.
Lastly, we can also say that both the actresses (Nargis and Aishwarya) were precived as being typical houswives, looking at their clothing, they are seen as tyical Indian houswives. This also reflects back to my study as normally we annotate 'Houswives' to being seen as inferioir and they have a cheap labour. This is also reflected back to the society we are living in, as now females are seen as being independant and dominate in their own ways.
Med 5 Cw Task 12
The text that I have chosen as a historical text to focus on is ‘Mother India’. Mother India was released in 1957 and was directed by Mehboob Kahn. To give a brief overview of what ‘Mother India’ is all about, or what themes revolve around the movie are themes such as, Feminism, rights, and poverty, again it can also be said that in this movie the representation of gender is seen greatly too.
First of all, looking at how this is similar to my text we can say that in ‘Mother India’ the main female protagonist (Nargis) in the movie named Radha is the only female figure that is been portrayed to be hard working and is doing cheap labour, for example working on the farms with her sons. We can compare this to my text ‘Provoked’ and say that it is similar to my text because Aishwarya Rai goes to jail and is working there. The reason why we can say this is similar is because we would normally associate the men’s to commit murder and go to jail, however there is a role reversal here.
Focusing on the gender roles here a lot can be said. Nargis (Radha) has brought out the femininity in this movie and gave a new light to women’s. During the early days women’s were seen as ‘Sex objects’ and were seen to be looked at, as Laura Mulvey had quoted. However, looking art ‘Mother India’ it shows a new view of females. In this movie we see Nargis continuously working hard on the farms trying to get rid of her debts. We can easily link this back to ‘Provoked’ as looking at ‘Provoked’ Naveen was seen to be a very abusive husband that used to come home late and drunk, and Aishwarya was seen as the typical housewife cooking and cleaning and taking care of her children. Once she goes into jail and receives her rights we see Aishwarya in a new form. So altogether it can be argued that ‘Mother India’ had brought the new generation of females as she was seen to be the ‘Breadwinner’, thus t it links the same with ‘Provoked’.
Furthermore, the movie ‘Mother India’ looks a lot at issues such as poverty and nation. This was a typical problem in the early days in India, as they used to do farming they very much relied on the weather for their crops to grow and make money in that process. The men’s in this movie are seen to be very laid back and relaxed as they are very much just after their money, which again shows men to be very selfish and greedy. Looking at today’s generation females are now seen to be very independent and active in their own ways. They are no longer dependant on men’s to earn and bring the money home, as they earn themselves now. So it can be easily argued that since the early days femininity has changed a lot.
The text that I have chosen as a historical text to focus on is ‘Mother India’. Mother India was released in 1957 and was directed by Mehboob Kahn. To give a brief overview of what ‘Mother India’ is all about, or what themes revolve around the movie are themes such as, Feminism, rights, and poverty, again it can also be said that in this movie the representation of gender is seen greatly too.
First of all, looking at how this is similar to my text we can say that in ‘Mother India’ the main female protagonist (Nargis) in the movie named Radha is the only female figure that is been portrayed to be hard working and is doing cheap labour, for example working on the farms with her sons. We can compare this to my text ‘Provoked’ and say that it is similar to my text because Aishwarya Rai goes to jail and is working there. The reason why we can say this is similar is because we would normally associate the men’s to commit murder and go to jail, however there is a role reversal here.
Focusing on the gender roles here a lot can be said. Nargis (Radha) has brought out the femininity in this movie and gave a new light to women’s. During the early days women’s were seen as ‘Sex objects’ and were seen to be looked at, as Laura Mulvey had quoted. However, looking art ‘Mother India’ it shows a new view of females. In this movie we see Nargis continuously working hard on the farms trying to get rid of her debts. We can easily link this back to ‘Provoked’ as looking at ‘Provoked’ Naveen was seen to be a very abusive husband that used to come home late and drunk, and Aishwarya was seen as the typical housewife cooking and cleaning and taking care of her children. Once she goes into jail and receives her rights we see Aishwarya in a new form. So altogether it can be argued that ‘Mother India’ had brought the new generation of females as she was seen to be the ‘Breadwinner’, thus t it links the same with ‘Provoked’.
Furthermore, the movie ‘Mother India’ looks a lot at issues such as poverty and nation. This was a typical problem in the early days in India, as they used to do farming they very much relied on the weather for their crops to grow and make money in that process. The men’s in this movie are seen to be very laid back and relaxed as they are very much just after their money, which again shows men to be very selfish and greedy. Looking at today’s generation females are now seen to be very independent and active in their own ways. They are no longer dependant on men’s to earn and bring the money home, as they earn themselves now. So it can be easily argued that since the early days femininity has changed a lot.
Sunday, 23 December 2007
Med 5 Cw Task 14
How has Race and Gender been seen in British Asian Films, in particular reference to ‘Provoked’?
‘For 10 years I lived a life of beating and degradation’
‘Provoked’ by Jag Mundhra is a hard hitting Asian British film that tells the true story of Kiranjeet Ahuluwalia that had suffered violence and abuse by her husband. This essay will deeply be examining how race and gender is seen to in the British society we are living in and how it has been represented in British Asian films. Such areas will include looking at how the males are seen to be dominant and superior ‘masculinity…a privileged position of power and authority’ Gender Studies, Terms and Debates by Anne Cranny-Francis. This quotation simply explains to us how the males are perceived to have a god-like image and retain both physical and mental powers. In addition to this we will also be focusing on the role of females and how they have been seen in British Asian films. Mainly females have always been seen to be sex symbols and/or seen to be inferior towards the men’s as Laura Mulvey quotes: ‘ Women are simultaneously looked at…with their appearance’ Media, gender and Identity by David Gauntlett. This essay will examine how male dominance still does exist in today’s generation and how females are perceived to be inferior towards the men, due to them being a ‘female’.
How has Race and Gender been seen in British Asian Films, in particular reference to ‘Provoked’?
‘For 10 years I lived a life of beating and degradation’
‘Provoked’ by Jag Mundhra is a hard hitting Asian British film that tells the true story of Kiranjeet Ahuluwalia that had suffered violence and abuse by her husband. This essay will deeply be examining how race and gender is seen to in the British society we are living in and how it has been represented in British Asian films. Such areas will include looking at how the males are seen to be dominant and superior ‘masculinity…a privileged position of power and authority’ Gender Studies, Terms and Debates by Anne Cranny-Francis. This quotation simply explains to us how the males are perceived to have a god-like image and retain both physical and mental powers. In addition to this we will also be focusing on the role of females and how they have been seen in British Asian films. Mainly females have always been seen to be sex symbols and/or seen to be inferior towards the men’s as Laura Mulvey quotes: ‘ Women are simultaneously looked at…with their appearance’ Media, gender and Identity by David Gauntlett. This essay will examine how male dominance still does exist in today’s generation and how females are perceived to be inferior towards the men, due to them being a ‘female’.
Saturday, 15 December 2007
Med 5 Cw Task 11
TASK ELEVEN
Mulvey
Laura Mulvey, a typical feminist had based her study on the most famous work of ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema during 1973. What this really was about was the work of Hollywood films, and how the males were seen to be the main protagonist. This can be seen to be very ironic at the fact that looking at today’s generation females are seen to be the main protagonist as the audience can identify with them and relate back to them, however this was one of Mulvey’s aim in her study. She added on to say that the audience become familiar with the males protagonist by identification, admiration and aspiration.
Adding on to this, she also saw the relationship of gender and the text of the film and how the audience had perceived the female characters to be. Mulvey quotes: ‘women in film are simply objects for the ‘gaze’ of the protagonist/ male audience’.
The ‘male gaze’ simply means when females are seen to be sex objects, and in movies are only there to be looked at. Sigmund Freud used the concept of ‘Scopophilia’ which means looking at something and getting the pleasure out of it. This can be linked back to my study, as I can easily mention the male gaze, looking at Provoked, we see Aishwarya to be the main protagonist as she gets abused by her husband, hence, during the scene of her getting raped by her husband ‘ Sopophilia is seen, we as the audience (male) enjoy watching this happen even though Aishwarya is not portrayed to be a sex symbol.
Developing this on to a further step, Mulvey looked back at the Hollywood film, males were seen to be protagonist from the male audience view point, and saw the female to be passive. Adapting to this matter Mulvey examined the fact that this look can be seen in two ways, one ‘Voyeuristic’ this means when females are seen to be beautiful and the other as ‘Fetishistic’ this means when females are seen to be sexual.
Overall, looking at masculinity as a whole, it can be argued that males lack power, and the only power they really use towards the feminist is the ‘Phallic’ this simply refers to a male’s penis. In action movies, males are always seen to be dominant as we are living in a ‘Patriarchal Society’. A gun can easily be a Phallic symbol, so can a sword, a cucumber and so on. Hence if the males get ‘Castrated’, simply meaning chopping of a male’s penis which means taking away their masculinity means that they are losing power. So it can be seen that males are really not seen to be dominant and superior.
TASK ELEVEN
Mulvey
Laura Mulvey, a typical feminist had based her study on the most famous work of ‘Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema during 1973. What this really was about was the work of Hollywood films, and how the males were seen to be the main protagonist. This can be seen to be very ironic at the fact that looking at today’s generation females are seen to be the main protagonist as the audience can identify with them and relate back to them, however this was one of Mulvey’s aim in her study. She added on to say that the audience become familiar with the males protagonist by identification, admiration and aspiration.
Adding on to this, she also saw the relationship of gender and the text of the film and how the audience had perceived the female characters to be. Mulvey quotes: ‘women in film are simply objects for the ‘gaze’ of the protagonist/ male audience’.
The ‘male gaze’ simply means when females are seen to be sex objects, and in movies are only there to be looked at. Sigmund Freud used the concept of ‘Scopophilia’ which means looking at something and getting the pleasure out of it. This can be linked back to my study, as I can easily mention the male gaze, looking at Provoked, we see Aishwarya to be the main protagonist as she gets abused by her husband, hence, during the scene of her getting raped by her husband ‘ Sopophilia is seen, we as the audience (male) enjoy watching this happen even though Aishwarya is not portrayed to be a sex symbol.
Developing this on to a further step, Mulvey looked back at the Hollywood film, males were seen to be protagonist from the male audience view point, and saw the female to be passive. Adapting to this matter Mulvey examined the fact that this look can be seen in two ways, one ‘Voyeuristic’ this means when females are seen to be beautiful and the other as ‘Fetishistic’ this means when females are seen to be sexual.
Overall, looking at masculinity as a whole, it can be argued that males lack power, and the only power they really use towards the feminist is the ‘Phallic’ this simply refers to a male’s penis. In action movies, males are always seen to be dominant as we are living in a ‘Patriarchal Society’. A gun can easily be a Phallic symbol, so can a sword, a cucumber and so on. Hence if the males get ‘Castrated’, simply meaning chopping of a male’s penis which means taking away their masculinity means that they are losing power. So it can be seen that males are really not seen to be dominant and superior.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Cover Work for Mondays lesson...
How do the males view the movie ‘Provoked’.
If a male audience had watched this movie then their views would probably be very different. Some male would view themselves as being very dominant and superior. So their views would be that it is acceptable in our society to abuse females, and be superior towards them. Looking back to our society it can also be said that some females do see themselves as being very dominant.
However it can also be said that some males, maybe from the working class background will not accept this sort of behaviour and see it to be deviant. What this means is that some males see it to be wrong to use physical powers against a female. If a male audience did watch this then it can be seen that they will feel that Aishwarya is the protagonist in the film and they can probably identify with some males who treat there wife’s without respect.
How do females view the movie ‘Provoked’.
On the other hand if a female had seen this movie then their views would be very strong to this movie. Looking in today’s generation females are not seen anymore to be housewife’s they are seen to be independent and now share equivalent roles towards the male. Adding on to this, some females may get offended by watching this, as they are trying to show that males are seen to be superior and dominant. Some would like the fact that Aishwarya fights back and burns her husband as over here she is playing a active role, and looks up to her husband.
It can also be said that Aishwarya is seen to be very active in the film, as she may not show this. She fights back against her husband and goes to the court. Which many females will like, as she is fighting against her husband.
How do the males view the movie ‘Provoked’.
If a male audience had watched this movie then their views would probably be very different. Some male would view themselves as being very dominant and superior. So their views would be that it is acceptable in our society to abuse females, and be superior towards them. Looking back to our society it can also be said that some females do see themselves as being very dominant.
However it can also be said that some males, maybe from the working class background will not accept this sort of behaviour and see it to be deviant. What this means is that some males see it to be wrong to use physical powers against a female. If a male audience did watch this then it can be seen that they will feel that Aishwarya is the protagonist in the film and they can probably identify with some males who treat there wife’s without respect.
How do females view the movie ‘Provoked’.
On the other hand if a female had seen this movie then their views would be very strong to this movie. Looking in today’s generation females are not seen anymore to be housewife’s they are seen to be independent and now share equivalent roles towards the male. Adding on to this, some females may get offended by watching this, as they are trying to show that males are seen to be superior and dominant. Some would like the fact that Aishwarya fights back and burns her husband as over here she is playing a active role, and looks up to her husband.
It can also be said that Aishwarya is seen to be very active in the film, as she may not show this. She fights back against her husband and goes to the court. Which many females will like, as she is fighting against her husband.
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Sheila's Wheels is another comtemporary advert. They are 3 females that are dressed in the 60's look and are all wearing pink clothes. Now the connotations of this may be that they are seen as Bimbo's? Typical female that is in love with the colour pink.. They are promoting in the advert car insurance, however it can also be seen that they are seen to be independant and dominant because they are selling something and do not need the help of a male.
Now this advert is a contemporary advert. It is advertising the new fragrance for Hugo Boss, XX and XY. In this advert we see the female to be very seductive and yet dominant. We can say this because, both the males and females are seen to be wearing black, which we can say that both are seen to be equal. Also the female is giving the attention to the male with her seductive looks and he is coming close to her. This therefore shows us that females are seen to be sex symbols and so are males.
This advert is typically sterotyping a female to be a house wife. We can say this becuase of the way the female is seen to be really happy and is enjoying cleaning the house. It shows us the audience how females were precived back in the days, as typical housewives and were seen through 'cheap labour'.
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