A final reminder about tomorrow (Sunday) 2009/11/25 Nitin Karani <nitin.kar...@gmail.com>
> > You are cordially invited to > > * * > *Sunday High, 29 November 2009* > > > 'Shortbus' and 'Breakfast on Pluto' > > *Two recent films on finding love, fulfilment.* > > > > > > > > > > *Shortbus (2006)* > > 101mins, English > > > > *Synopsis:* Numerous New York City-dwellers come to the exclusive club > Shortbus to work out problems in their sexual relationships. Rob and Sophia > are a happily married couple, except for the fact that she has never > experienced sexual climax. This irony follows her to work, because she is a > couples counselor who frequently has to deal with the sexual issues other > couples have. Two of her patients are Jamie and James, a gay couple who have > been monogamous for five years and counting. James wants to bring other men > in to the relationship, and his own history with depression may hint at an > ulterior motive. Ceth may be the perfect addition to their family, but > Caleb, a voyeur from across the street, may have his own ideas about that. > Sophia visits Severin, a dominatrix with secrets of her own to reveal. > > > > *A review:* ...The superb cast of characters of John Cameron Mitchell's > [of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch fame"] "Shortbus" powerfully draws the viewer > in to each of the characters' lives and problems.... Yes, the on-screen sex > is real. And there's lots of it. But rather than displaying sexually > explicit scenes for the sake of cheap titillation, "Shortbus" is provocative > with an actual purpose.... "Shortbus" deals with all manners of human > relations. Not stressing one form over another, it shows how sex, friendship > and love continually intermingle. Because one's comfort level with their > sexuality mirrors how one relates in all other relationships, showing the > raw and carnal aspect of each character so explicitly works beautifully to > accurately convey their motivations and struggles. > > > > ...Whether dealing with sexual oppression, struggling with sexual desires > deemed socially deviant, seeking redemption for having already been there > and done that, or feeling generally unaccepted for being who you are, the > redemption value in this film is tenderly perceptible. "Shortbus" lets us > know that gay, straight, bi, transgender, whatever – we all just want to > feel accepted. > > > > . > > > > > > *Breakfast on Pluto (2005)* > > 128 mins, English > > > > Synopsis: A foundling lad, Patrick "Kitten" Braden, comes of age in the > 1970s. He leaves his Irish town, in part to look for his mother and in part > because his > > transgender nature is beyond the town's understanding. He's taken in by a > rock band, falls for the lead singer, has brushes with the IRA, is arrested > by the London police, works in a peep show, and poses as a survey researcher > for the phone company. Throughout, his nationality and his nature put him at > great risk. In his search for his mother, he makes surprising discoveries of > friendship and family. But, will he survive? > > > > *Reviews:* > > This film is fabulous -- and has nothing to do with the solar system. > Cillian Murphy is AMAZING in his complicated role as a trans-sexual man > growing up in Ireland in the 1970's and his quest to find what he wants in > his life.... Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, and Brandon Gleeson are far more than > excellent in supporting roles. This film is dependent on its star (Mr. > Murphy) and he shines. The themes in this film are universal. Even while the > story is sad and the situation the main character - Kitten - finds herself > in are very sad, it somehow always becomes funny. The interaction between > Kitten and the people around her is fascinating, funny and true-to-life.... > Don't want to spoil anything about the plot but if anyone has read the book > DO NOT expect the same situations or ending.... If you strip away the > complicated details of this trans-sexual Irish male and his travels during > the 70's you can find the root, universal story of a young person looking > for love. > > > > --------------------------- > > ....What could have been a one-dimensional caricature becomes a three > dimensional movie in the hands of a good director like Neil > Jordan.... Cillian Murphy imbues Patrick "Kitten" with growing dignity as > he/she matures through the film, and at the end she has become a > self-assured woman, who has 'found' family, her mother and father, and a > meaning in life. > > > > The film does not shy away from the Irish-English conflict, either, and the > prejudice directed against "Paddy" is appalling, reminiscent of "In the Name > of the Father." It is not for the faint-hearted, be aware! Costumes and > music of the late 60's / early 70's are both equally impressive. There is an > excellent soundtrack. > > > > *(All info sourced from IMDB.com)* > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > *Time:* 5.00 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. One intermission during which light > refreshments will be served. > > > *Venue:* The Humsafar Trust's Drop-in Centre, 4th floor, Municipal Transit > Building (Vakola Municipal Market Building), Near Raheja Point and Vakola > Masjid, Santacruz (East), Mumbai. > > *Getting there:* It's approximately minimum fare by auto-rickshaw from > Santacruz station (East). You could also take routes 311 or 313. The same > routes also operate from Kurla (West) station. > > > *Space courtesy:* The Humsafar Trust. > > > > Note: Programme subject to change without notice in unavoidable > circumstances. > > *Keep in touch with Bombay Dost via:* > > The Bombay Dost Wiki (http://bombay-dost.pbworks.com/) > > OR The Facebook Fan Page > (http://www.facebook.com/Bombay-Dost<http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Bombay-Dost/52817999936> > ) > > OR follow Bombaydost on Twitter (http://twitter.com/bombaydost > > OR subscribe to our Google SMS Channel ( > http://labs.google.co.in/smschannels/subscribe/BombayDost) > > OR E-mail us: bombaydost2...@gmail.com > > >
