Film Director Gurinder Chadha

[Tony Alicea]

I recently rented two movies directed by Gurinder Chadha and I liked them both.

I am a "Westerner", BTW. Not a "cowboy" like the theme of this Ranch would imply (me being a Sheriff and all), but just "from the west" (as opposed to India).

From the USA!

Anyway, I liked both movies (more than I liked "Bride and Prejudice").

Sometimes I wonder if it takes a movie director from another country to better see our American culture in action.

Well, that only applies to "What's Cooking". The other film is "Bend It Like Beckham" which takes place in England (In London?).

[Ramesh Choudhary]

There is an old indian proveb that the curry made by your neighbour is always sweet. This is the case with these movies. Gurinder Chadda's movies are good for single glance. They do not have the grace and depth of Satyajit ray movies.

I would recommend his movies.
A true work of a genius.

[Tony Alicea]

Are Satyajit ray's films about Western society or Asian?
[ August 27, 2005: Message edited by: Tony Alicea ]

[Tony Alicea]

"There is an old indian proverb that the curry made by your neighbour is always sweet."

And here in the USA there is a saying that the other man's grass is ALWAYS greener. Or if you're a hippie, "The other man's grass gets you higher."

Now that I think about it, having been born and raised in this society, I wonder if "greener" cold be applied to "S/He has more money than I" or to just that my lawn is better than yours.

I either case, nothing to be culturally proud of.

Stop looking at your neighbor's freaking lawn. Now.

[Ramesh Choudhary]

They normally depict the life of poor bengali peasant's during 1930's.
Some of his movies revolve around the living in Kolkata.

[Ramesh Choudhary]

Stop looking at your neighbor's freaking lawn. Now.

I have no intention of studying or settling in US (Even though my job has been outsourced from US).

[Tony Alicea]

Ah! Thanks Ramesh; I am only interested in films made about Western society by non-western directors.

Thanks again.

[Sara Jahan]

Hi,

If you have enjoyed Gurinder Chadha's "What's Cooking" and "Bend it like Beckham" (and detested "Bride and Prejudice" the way I did!), then you should definitely check out Mira Nair's movies. She is an Indian movie maker, who grew up in India but is based in US with an East African husband. She incidentally, studied in my university, my college (Miranda House, Delhi Uni) before moving to Harvard.

Some of her movies are out and out Western, some Indian, and some hybrid but most of them highly-praised and awarded movies. You can check out the names and v brief synopsis of her movies at her web site:

Mira Nair's Movies

Some of her Western movies that I would recommend are "Mississipi Masala", "Perez family" and to a small degree "Vanity Fair". My all-time favourite Mira Nair movie is "Monsoon Wedding". It is a US-Indian co-production set in India with Indian cast but is in English language. This movie does not show America at all but has a lot of reference to it. It is the kindof movie anybody, from anywhere can feel a sense connection with.

Hope you enjoy!

Sara

[Tony Alicea]

Thanks very much Sara; in my other window I am opening a search for Mira Nair's movies.