Movies that moved me #2. Brokeback Mountain

At times all you need is a two hour movie to force you to think beyond certain.

Growing up in country like India where Bollywood is the worshiped and gay means kohl-eyed-fluorescently-dressed weird men people don’t get the true idea of homosexuality.

Coming to the point, what I am talking is about rather thought provoking-introspection-evoking movie called Brokeback Mountain. The film deals with two homosexual men struggling to identify themselves and carving out space and time for themselves in the society. The sheer subtlety of the movie shook me. It was the first time I actually understood what love can be between homosexuals, how tough can it be for them to express what they feel.

I downloaded the movie thinking it to be as another Anna Hathaway’s rom-com but the content actually mocked the sheer stupidity of my expectation: the very concept of love that is fed in our minds through not just society but the media around us.

Beautifully shot amidst the breath taking beauty of mountains, the movie triggers a great thought process. The love between Jack and Ennis left me in tears and made me wonder how can we not expect and adore the “love” between people belonging to same sex!? Why is that people associate physical malfunction to the very existence of the concept of homosexuality?

This movie came to my notice at a very important juncture.

Now that I recall my day, I recollect how it started with a very short-apparently-not-so-important conversation about homosexuality. My friend shared her experience as a SBI worker where she came across a lesbian couple as their potential client. She explained how stupid and terrifying it was for her that her client-to-be was a lesbian. She went to her place to get a form filled but was unable to do so as she didn’t know how to show her relation with her lesbian partner. Moreover when she called her boss, she was advised to leave the place asap.

I couldn't help but nod through her chat but somewhere she lost the respectful place in my eyes.

But then problem is not entirely of hers. India is lagging behind in more than one way but it is the society that needs utmost attention. Like in the movie where Ennis recalled how his dad made sure he and his brothers see the brutal end of the guy who dared to live with other guy, in India too a child is trained to repel the idea of homosexuality and keep away from any gay or lesbian.

I, myself, wasn’t prepared for this subject but the movie not only showed me the actualities of such relationships but left me swayed by their love. No doubt credit goes to the brilliant brilliant actors for portraying the roles so damn well.

Not just society, movies like these make me sad about the quality of cinema in India and the pitiful thinking of its audience. Media went crazy when Ranbir Kapoor did towel scene in Saawariya or when Ram Kapoor “kissed” (okay if you call it so :/) Priya on small screen. We ourselves bound the audience in the realms of socially presentable form of love. Movies like Brokeback Mountains mock us in the face. They actually reflect to the huge gulf our creativity has between what we make and what the reality is. Screw the portrayal or conviction; we don’t have any strong movie on a subject like this.

However, this post is to share the respect this movie has inspired for homosexuals in me. If you are looking for some good-solid-content-based movie this is hard to miss. And not to forget it features two immensely talented and good looking actors *bonus point*.

*One of my favorite moments in the movie*

Movies that moved me #1. The English Patient

I'll suggest you watch this amazing movie before reading the post as that helps you relate or otherwise I hope you feel like watching it after reading my post.

Certain movies just make you realize how little we live, how little we feel…how little we imagine. So much power around, in this world, hidden under garb of our ignorance and self fulfillment. Power of companionship, power of care…power of love.

Movies like The English patient.

It is so much in love..it gives you zeal,it gives you strength, strength to walk in desert for 3 days, strength to trade your very existence…strength to open your heart to the possibility to feel.

It is easy to live enveloped in anger, it is easy to stay mum ,whats difficult is to love, to open your heart to someone…to let someone in and give them the ownership of yourself. To let the love consume you, intoxicate you with its possibility. Love is what drives you to live to the fullest…to absorb each moment. It is love that evokes true craving. Craving of have that person around just for your self, your being!

“Each night I cut out my heart but in the morning it was full again!”- Almasy 

Love is not to have him, love is to have faith in him and let him go. Hana cared too much but her compassion made her stronger…enough to open her wounds again…her ability to open herself to the possibility of good drove her to Kip. She broke her curse, a curse she self imposed.

People suffer so much, give so much and get nothing but are still going and going strong! Hana didn't actualize her relation with Kip but she didn’t ruin her moments with him. With the desire to meet again they parted, they moved ahead with memories of pure compassion…moments when they stood for each other.

No matter how much the movie talks about violence and war, it’s the hope flickering through long trees that it leaves its audience with.

Be the gypsy. Experience. Absorb. Live. Feel!

*one of my favorite moments in  the movie*