I don't really know whom to pity- Deepa Mehta or the widows? I very well agree with the condition of the widows, although not as bad as the movies depict, since they are based in a different era. But since the movie is released in 2005, moviegoers and the people who have viewed this movie internationally, will always link India with these kinds of social vices. Is this movie really about the sad plight of widows or is this movie a gloryfying example of a lady who is definitely confused of her roots and is hell bound on pleasing the whites at any cost. Her medium of doing so is by pulling down the image of the Indians. What other message could such a movie give? Having "actors" like Lisa Ray playing widows? Please give me a break. I hope that Indians( especially the expats) realise that development in Indian society cannot be achieved by abusing the past but by building a healhty future.
Please get outta the comfort of North America and Europe and help build the nation rather than giving empty and hollow advices.
I read a lot of comments saying this is all for foreigners and everything is foreign funded and stuff like that.... I think the problem with us indians is that we dont want to live in reality... we only like the bollywood goody-goody movies...the moment there is a bold movie...everyone will cry foul... I pity our indians and dont know what pride they are having in saying that everything is good in india... wake up before it is too late...there is no pride loss in accepting we have a problem and we need to do something abt it
The courage Deepa shows in her films,to expose the evils of Indian society,is commendable. India, being an economic giant,still has long way to go in cleansing its society. I agree, it does not feel good when the western audience is seeing such films. But let's face the reality. We need more from likes of Deep Mehta. -Ranjan, Edmonton, Canada
It looks as if Mehta is one of those bleeding heart "secularists". It would not have looked so suspicious if a resident Indian made a movie on this topic and released it in this country. After all, if her film is meant to educate and make people aware(I am sure it is not an entertainer), then it should be released in India. Releasing it in a high profile international festival is pointless- do Canadians need more awareness than Indians on the issue? it just plays into the hands of those claiming that it is a typical "snake charmer- Maharajah- sati" movie made for foreigners.
Finally, a brave effort for showing the real plight of widows in by an INDIAN.
Not to remind everybody that the person responsible for banning the practice of SATI in India was a foreigner (William Bentick) and not an INDIAN. We have had a woman Prime Minister, but sadly even today women are either Sex goddesses or Holy godesses and not HUMAN BEINGS with their own feelings and rights.
A society that fails to provide security and freedom to 50% of its constituting people cannot, by any terms be called Modern or even Human.
RE:Water
by purple on Sep 13, 2005 01:25 PM
did u say the film projected the real plight in INDIAN society? have u first of all seen the film? And if u saw the film and still think that "Lisa Ray" - the so called opressed widow had any semblance of an Indian lady --- then it either reflects naivity and innocence otherwise it appears so weird anyway Deepa mehta is weird and all the performance in this nautanki are only seeking international fame nothing more to say
Films like Water, Fire etc are shot from the film makers perspective of social problems in India. It should be perceived as just that, rather than being judgmental about it. What the people of Varanasi did five years ago is not justifiable and shows the backwardness of India. I am glad she could complete the film and hope such incidents do not occur again in India. People should learn to respect freedom of expression in democracy.
Films such as "Water" are made not for any social upliftment, but to pander to the sadist tastes of some western viewers. the movie is set in a period that is not of much relevance as of today. if the director really had any intention of contributing to a social cause, she could have shown the movie, as is the present day circumstances. The movie "Water" is neither a historical nor a contemprory film. It is simply an attempt to stir audiences to win applauses, because any disturbing movie automatically is touching -- no credit goes to the director for that. Anyways, Oscars, toronto or whatever, it need not eclipse our judgements of the film - the relatively well-off westerners do want to have an occasional glimpse of Asian suffering. Why should we always look up to others instead of relying on our own sensibilities?
RE:''Water'' - not for social upliftment
by gunpadala on Feb 26, 2006 02:05 PM
i wish people would read your posting, cause it is one of two very apt analysis on this messagboard about the movie. just saw it last night. have known the filmmaker personally.
Why do we hate mirror? There are many a social ill, so rampant in our society. The stigma and hesitancy to acknowlege and talk over it is one of the reasons they still continue unabated. Yes, these
are dirty linens, will cause embarassments when washed in public. But unfortunately, thats the only way out! We all should feel embarassed, ashamed and guilty because we
are responsible for having those dirty lines amongst us. At times, we are so much used to living with these social evils that we dont even realize they exist!!! Thats when we need someone like Deepa Mehta, to show us the mirror! Please dont try to break the mirror, fellow countymen, instead lets address the issue the mirror projects... until we dont have anything to hide!
