Festa Italiana..

I knew things were going too well for too long. So ive had a slightly mixed weekend this time around. On Friday, we went to the Festa Italiana to watch one of their movie screenings. We reached the place a little too early and hence were sitting in the car chatting about odds and ends. We got in there on the dot only to hear that the movie had already begun and we dint have any seats. Disappointed, we were left wondering about what to do next. This should have been a premonition of how things were to proceed all weekend, but in our ignorance we assumed it to be just a temporary glitch. We had decided on the “Other Festival” which was also happening simultaneously, where we knew a solo theatre performance was due that evening. But one look at the schedule and we realized that it was related to dance theatricals and hence we gave it a miss. Then we went to the only other thing that was happening that evening, the starry nites program at unwind center. It was very quaint out there. Seemed like quite a family event and unlike the usual crowd at unwind center consisting of long haired head-bangers, it consisted mainly of families and also a huge choir who accounted for almost half the audience. The programme had a mix of several carols rendered with different interpretations, some by rock groups and some by the choir. I particularly enjoyed watching the conductor of the choir waving his arms about and how the choir responded to every flick of his fingers.
On Saturday, we had a full day itinerary planned and it seemed like it was going to be quite a busy day. The morning was set aside for “Experimenta” a selection of experimental contemporary shorts, as a part of the other festival. The announcer said that these movies were special because they would give us a clear insight into the movie making process itself unlike most other movies where illusions reigned supreme. Imagine our chagrin when we found that every (supposedly contemporary) movie was made in the 80s and was in B&W and also most seemed a sequence of photographs rather than real movies. And to top it all, the screening, which was scheduled for 3 hours, ended in half an hour. So, next stop, ice cream parlour. Had some really good ice cream, from Kachang and then since it was too hot for a ride, we went on a exploration of some nearby areas. An hour later we found ourselves back in familiar territory, physically as well as figuratively, as we dint know where to go next and we were one with the exploration. Our hunger came to the rescue, and we ended up at the dhaba express for lunch. Thats when things started going our way. The lunch was excellent and I pushed myself to the limits trying to finish off all I had on my plate. Then, we parked the car under the shade and rested a while, as the lunch had left us quite sleepy. Suddenly we got a brainwave and went to the Festa Italiana, reaching there just in time to get us seats. The movie was about three boys who were trying to elude the destiny thrust upon them by the failed lives of their parents. Was taken with a lot of sensitivity and made for a superb watch. After the movie came a question and answer session with the director of the movie, which I dint stay for. But I heard that one of the regulars at these festivals, a bearded bloke, had asked a damn stupid question. He said that the entire movie had a lot of redundancy and the first hour of it could have been conveniently left out without affecting its meaning in any way. I believe that a director should not be questioned about his method of story telling, it is his unique perception and we are only interpreting it in our own ways. And also the director drew some flak for a scene involving nudity in the movie, which I personally believe was essential for the intensity it portrayed.
Sunday was reserved for time with my family but still I took the afternoon off to watch 8 ½, a movie by Federico Fellini, which features among the all time best list of IMDB. This was about a movie director, trying to make a film that was completely true and pure, but is beset on all sides by phony artistes, who are trying to wheedle him into giving them a part in his movie. The movie had some really interesting scenes, including one where the director fantasizes about his harem of women, with him sending them upstairs when they got over age. The movie ended on a really beautiful note and I left home immediately after that. The evening went in shopping for some formal shoes for me, and after some extensive looking around, I finally got myself what I wanted. Then watched lock, stock and two smoking barrels on the computer. Damn funny movie that was.
Back at work today. There are some things ive been thinking about that should be getting on this blog soon. Ciao.