Digging Shallow And Deep—Portrayals Of ‘The Farmer’ In New Tamil Cinema

“The customary hero-introduction shot in Tamil language drama Kadaikutti Singam (2018) happens during the scene of a rekla race, the traditional bullock cart sport held in Tamil Nadu villages. Before Karthi Shivakumar, the star actor who plays the lead character, makes an appearance, Soori, the comedian who plays the hero’s best friend, takes a look at the bustling arena where bulls are rubbing shoulders with men, and gushes, “How could you curtail this happiness!”” Continue reading Digging Shallow And Deep—Portrayals Of ‘The Farmer’ In New Tamil Cinema

A Sculpture of Ashes—Liner Notes On A Modern, Cinephilic Tragedy

” When I boarded the Nellai Express early in the morning of 16 June 2019 to journey from Neyveli to Chennai along the eastern stitch of the Indian peninsula, I was only marginally surprised to find a thick diary, of the corner-stationery variety, lying atop the brief table next to my berth. Someone had also left behind a half-eaten packet of salted almonds.” Continue reading A Sculpture of Ashes—Liner Notes On A Modern, Cinephilic Tragedy

‘Outer and Inner Space’

by paul a. As its title vaguely implies, Outer and Inner Space is primarily concerned with personal (inner) and public (outer) spheres of societal life — even as the film itself is sinuously situated between these two opposing ideologies and operates in something of an intermediate territory. It’s a title that also reinforces a stark cultural dichotomy, fueling a never-ending conflict fought since the inception … Continue reading ‘Outer and Inner Space’

Vested Interest – ‘My Hustler’

by Luise Mörke “I could introduce you to people… interesting people,” Ed Hood’s character in My Hustler (1965) promises the object of his desire (Paul America) in exchange for continuing their transactional relationship. The people Ed is referring to likely stem from his upper class circles. We can imagine that he will take Paul to lavish soirées and swanky parties, where one basks in the … Continue reading Vested Interest – ‘My Hustler’