Films Seen Recently

• Milk (Gus van Sant, 2008): I have written about homophobia earlier. The world becomes more modern and democratic in its laws and institutions usually not because of majority opinion (homophobia is alive and kicking in most parts of the world), but because it becomes too much of an effort to oppose the demand for equality by a spirited minority. Whether it be the suffrage movement, the movement for Black and immigrant rights, and so on. Democracy doesn't work when beliefs and morals are in question. Most people would vote against what they perceive as immorality. But if the so-called immoral create enough of a ruckus to be a threat, the state usually relents. On a side note, I have always maintained that non-violence works - when it does - as a tactical move, and not as a principle. Non-violent hunger fasts of Mohandas Gandhi, for example, carried behind them the threat of civil war if he was allowed to die. So it is in this film as well. The gays are willing to protest peacefully as long as it is understood that violence is an option.
  
  Sean Penn's acting in this film is of the highest calibre. His facial expressions, his mannerisms, the way he walks and the way he talks, and his very eyes express his gay-ness in a near-miracle of method acting. Wow!
  
  
• Sita Sings the Blues (Nina Paley, 2008): What a film! All the more astonishing since almost the entire artistic output is of a single person. An irreverent take on Ramayana, with a delightfully less than subtle dose of criticism for the Maryada Purshottam (Propreity Personified) Rama, the film also recommends itself for the exuberant mix of media, especially the mixing of animation with the Blues songs by Annette Hanshaw. The film juxtaposes Nina Paley's autobiographical tale of heartbreak with Sita's response to Ram's treatment of her. The high point of the film, for me, was the satire sung by Luv and Kush for their father. The artist has released the film, more or less, into the public domain, and a good quality version is available here (this is a 1.5 GB download). Subtitles and director's commentary are available here.