Ever
watched a Zen movie? Apart from The Last Samurai or Seven Days in Tibet, etc.?
Usthad
Hotel is a very contemporary Zen movie. The movie is a coming-of-age film wherein the lead actor finds his true calling and pursues it practically. He finds
help and support from unexpected quarters. He receives his training,
initiation, and instructions from his own grandfather, who is a chef and runs a
small but popular seaside restaurant.
Thilakan,
who plays the grandfather’s role, like only he can, has given one of his finest
performances in years in a highly restrained role. His voice modulation is apt
and so is his dialogue delivery. The way he mouths a dialogue while sipping
sulaimani is worth watching the movie for.
He
trains his grandson, hands over the restaurant to him (his only legacy), and
leaves on a final pilgrimage to Moinuddin Chisti’s dargah in Ajmer. Much
earlier in the movie, he had talked about watching rainfall in a desert…
The
cinematography and photography are top-notch. It reminds me of another recent
classic: Adaminte Makan Abu. A simple story of a Muslim couple and their
lifelong wish of going to Hajj. The film shows the struggles and travails they
go through to fulfill their wish. How honesty and principles come in the way of
fulfilling their dream makes your heart weep. Well, do they manage to fulfill
their wish at the end of the movie?
1 comment:
I have not watched these movies. Nevertheless, I feel that perhaps the strong call/urge to go on a Haj for Muslims can be equated to what the Hindus especially the Malayalees feel when going to Sabari Mala. Thus it probably all lies within the individual and what he beholds and perceives as important accomplishments in one's life.
Post a Comment