If there is one Bollywood movie that gives an amazingly realistic portrayal of riots in India, it is 'Dev'. I'm never one for movies that don't cheer me up and this movie certainly did not. But as you watched the movie, you just knew how true to life it was, never mind that you were also sitting on the edge of your seat, willing the protagonists to do things differently so that in reel life at least the actions and their consequences could have a happier end. The acting prowess of Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri and Kareena Kapoor is spectacularly showcased in this movie.
The genocide in Rwanda was brought to life on screen by the Hollywood movie "Hotel Rwanda", an account of the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved 1200 lives in those times.
Both movies are all the more powerful for what they leave unspoken and unseen.
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You know, the best thing I like about Hotel Rwanda is the song that's played at the end notes. Sung by Wyclef Jean with a beautiful African melody chorus of children. Listen to this song, search for its video on Youtube.com. Here are the lyrics:
African Chorus throughout song:
-----------------------------------
Ni dyar'izuba, Rizagaruga, Hejuru yadju, Nduzaricyeza ricyeza.
[ When will the sun rise again? who will reveal it us again? ]
-----------------------------------
Rwanda, Rwanda,
Yeah Rwanda, Rwanda.
They said: 'Many are called and few are chosen,
But I wish some wasn't chosen for the blood spilling of Rwanda.
They said: 'Meshach Eshach and Abednego,
Drowned in the fire but you never get burned,'
but I wish that I didn't get burned in Rwanda.
They said: 'The man is judged according to his works,'
so tell me Africa, what's your worth?
There's no money, no diamonds, no fortunes
on this planet that can replace Rwanda…
Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda
These are the cry of the children
Rwanda Rwanda
Anybody hear my cry?
If America, is the United States of America,
Then why can't Africa, be the United States of Africa?
And if England, is the United Kingdom,
Then why can't Africa unite all the kingdoms
and become United Kingdom of Africa?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
Yeah, yeah.
These are the cries of the children, yeah.
Can anybody out there hear our cries?
Yeah, heavens cry ... Jesus cry.
Lord, did you hear us calling you?
Yeah, Rwanda Rwanda,
Lord, did you hear us calling?
Can you do something in Rwanda?
Rwanda Rwanda, Rwanda Rwanda
I'm talkin' 'bout Jesus; talkin' 'bout Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda
Talkin' 'bout … talk'n 'bout ... talk'n 'bout ... talk'n 'bout....
I wanna play my guitar for Rwanda....
Those are beautiful lyrics. Thanks. Have you seen the other movie on Rwanda - Sometimes in April? I was able to watch just a bit of it.
Nah! I haven't even heard of this new movie on Rwanda. Actually, I mostly watch old movies and hardly have time to see new ones as my 2-1/2 year old son Bittu has, for sometimes, become a perfect relaxer (if there is such a word) for me. Work five days a week from 9-6, and it demands a lot. So, holidays and free time is for Bittuji and his mummy, my loving wife.
By the way, I liked your post on Dev. That's one of the best movies on communalism made in recent times. Ah! I am forgetting a lot, all I can now remember is how cute Kareena looked in the movie. The song 'jab nahin aaye the tum' is my wife's favourite... actually, we got married around its release;)
About riots, I wish to see 'Black Friday'.
What's the name of movie that came last year... Naseer and Sarika in it. It was not much critically aclaimed one and invited much protests.
'Tamas'(TV series) and 'Garam Hawa' are considered best movies made on the subject.
The movie 'Khuda Ke Liye' didn't impress me much. It was way too much predictable.
Two months back there was a movie with a TV star Rajeev Khandelwal. I have forgotten its name also. I feel like 75-year-old. I walk to the other corner of room and forgot what I went there.
Maybe you're talking about "Parzania", the Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika starrer. I've mentioned it in my blog. Hope Bittu and your wife enjoy fun(ny)movies, this is what the blog is about mainly. And someone-going-on-75 is always good if I get feedback on the blog from them.
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