This week, we'll show two films that speak of how love should not be sacrificed at the altar of societal mores, followed by a short film on the re-launch ceremony of Bombay Dost held on 16 April 2009 at Oxford bookstore, Mumbai.
*Brokeback Mountain* (2005, 134 mins) Director: Ang Lee Cast: Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhall Much-feted, Brokeback Mountain is the raw, powerful Annie Proulx story of ranch hand Ennis del Mar (Ledger) and rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Gyllenhal), two young men who meet and fall in love on the fictional Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming in 1963. Their relationship and its complications span 19 years--through marriage, through children, and through the mighty grip of societal confines and the expectations of what it is to be a man. Set against the sweeping vistas of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, the relationship of the two men provides a testament to the endurance and power of love. ------------------------------- *Far from Heaven *(2002, 107 mins) Written and directed by Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Dennis Quaid, Dennis Haysbert Maverick director Haynes embraces the look and feel of classic Hollywood melodramas of the 1950s in this period drama. Cathy Whitaker (Moore) and her husband, Frank (Quaid), are a seemingly perfect couple; living in a handsome suburban neighborhood in Hartford, CT, in 1957, Cathy and Frank have a beautiful home and two happy, healthy children, while Frank pursues a successful career in sales and Cathy cares for the home. But Cathy has begun to sense something isn't quite right in her marriage, as Frank begins working late, spending less time with her, and seems cold and distant. One day, Cathy visits Frank's work and discovers something she never expected -- her husband is kissing a man. At Cathy's urging, Frank undergoes psychotherapy, but as she tries to keep up a brave face, the emotional trauma takes a great toll on her, and she finds there are very few people she can talk with. Cathy strikes up a friendship with Raymond Deagan (Haysbert), an African-American gardener who works for the Whitakers, and as she discovers how intelligent and compassionate Raymond is, she finds herself drawn to him. However, Hartford is in many ways still a small town, and when Mona (Celia Weston) sees Cathy and Raymond alone together, it sets off a wave of vicious gossip that threatens to make the Whitakers' many secrets public knowledge. Far from Heaven premiered at the 2002 Venice Film Festival, where Moore's performance won the prize for Best Actress. The film was nominated for several Oscars: for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Moore), Best Original Screenplay (Haynes), Best Cinematography (Edward Lachman) and Best Original Score (Elmer Bernstein). ------------------------------------------------------------------ One intermission during which light refreshments will be served. *First screening begins at 4.30 p.m.* 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. Please track: The Bombay Dost Wiki (http://bombay-dost.pbworks.com/) OR The Facebook Page ( 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) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My blog's at: http://queerindia.blogspot.com You can leave me a voice message from any phone at http://www.jaxtr.com/nitinkarani No call charges apply.
