If you have strong opinions or curiosity around AI and have 15 minutes to spare, watch this video by BBC on AI and its impact on the world’s largest movie industry. Shekhar Kapur has some very interesting observations and inferences on the topic.
Category: Movies
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Consumerism, materialism and sustainability
One of the most interesting parts of his story is that he now looks back on his career with some regret. “If I had to do it over again, I would not want to be a designer,” he’s said. “There are too many unnecessary products in this world.” He has long been an advocate for the ideas of environmental consciousness and long-lasting products. He’s dismayed by today’s unsustainable world of over-consumption, where “design” has been reduced to a meaningless marketing buzzword.
In case you were wondering, this is Dieter Rams talking about product design and consumerism in Rams, a documentary by Gary Hustwit.
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Good filmmaking lessons
- The learning was about interpreting a written concept and transferring it with the right feel onto film media. Filmmaking can either embellish an idea, or make you lose the idea completely.
- I also can’t forget what Piyush Pandey once told me: “You must disappear as a director from this project.” Every artiste has an urge to prove himself, an urge for showmanship. A great performance comes through not as an actor, but when he is the character. I learnt from him that it is vital to let your content do the talking.
- That Nirma Underwater Ballet film project with TapRoot taught me to always try something you think you cannot do. The dancers had to dance and come into the right position under water. It was a virtual nightmare and almost didn’t work.
- Satyajit Ray had this rule of sorts that everyone on the set should return with something that they learnt that day. He told all of us to write down what we learnt each day at the shoot and show it to him.
- Ray always pre-visualised his films. He worked very hard on them and had great respect for the written script and storyboard. He would ‘shot divide’ everything. As a result of this methodical approach, he hardly re-shot sequences. It is rarely the equipment or the technology which makes a film; it is the mind that works behind it.
Shantanu Bagchi on his defining moments and why planning is important.
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Reel or Real—Bumpy road
Gloria: Life can be difficult sometimes. lt gets bumpy, what with family and kids and things not going exactly like you planned. But that’s what makes it interesting. ln life, the first act, always exciting. The second act, that’s where the depth comes in.
—Grown Ups
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Reel or Real—Life or Death
Lily Potter: You’ve been so brave, sweetheart.
Harry: Why you’re here? All of you?
Lily Potter: We never left.
Harry: Does…does it hurt? Dying?
Sirius: Quicker than falling in sleep.
James Potter: You needed this, son. I’m sorry.
Harry: I never wanted any of you to die for me. And, Remus, your son?
Remus: Others will tell him, what his mother and father died for. One day, he’ll understand.
Harry: You’ll stay with me?
Lily: Until the end.
Harry: Anybody will be able to see you?
Lily: No. We’re here, you see. (Pointing to his heart)
Harry: Stay close to me.
Lily: Always.
—Harry Potter: Deathly Hallows Part 2
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Reel or Real—You choose who you are
Rick Castle: Life is a journey, and there is no predicting the outcome. The only thing you can control are your choices, and they’ll… they’ll define who you are. I would just hate to see you so focused on the problem right in front of you completely miss the entire picture.
Alexis: That’s pretty good advice.
Rick Castle: Yeah. Yeah, actually it is, isn’t it?
—Castle · S03 · E23
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Reel or Real—Us v/s World
Charles: You going to tell me what’s the matter? Or will I have to read your mind?
Raven: You promised me you would never do that.
Charles: Until recently, I never had to use my powers to know what you were thinking, Raven.
Raven: You know Charles, I used to think it was gonna be you and me against the world. And no matter how bad the world gets, you don’t want to be against it, do you? You want to be a part of it.
—X-Men: First Class
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Reel or Real—A beautiful memory
Charles: You know, I believe the true focus lies somewhere between rage and serenity. Would you mind, if I…?
Erik: What did you just do to me?
Charles: I accessed the brightest corner of your memory system. It’s a very beautiful memory Erik, thank you.
Erik: I didn’t know I still had that.
Charles: There’s so much more to you than you know. Not just pain, and anger. There’s good too, I felt it. And when you can access all that. You will possess a power no one can match. Not even me. So, come on. Try again.
—X-Men: First Class
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Isi ka naam zindagi
Zindagi bhi kya ajeeb hain na. Jab jeena hain to jeene nahi deti. Aur jab jeeney ki saari khwaishein khatam ho jati hain to kehti hain, jiyo! —Nauheed
Life is an enigmatic journey, full of twists and turns that often leave us amazed by its ironies. In the movie Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd, Shabana Azmi’s character, Nauheed, encapsulates this sentiment with these wise words.
Sometimes life’s weird, right? Sometimes, just when you’re ready to dive headfirst into all the adventures and experiences it has to offer, life throws a curveball, making it hard to catch a breath. And yet, when you least expect it, life nudges you to keep moving forward, no matter what.
This quote is a reflection of life’s rollercoaster nature, where emotions, experiences, and desires often take us on a wild ride. It’s a reminder that life can be both contradictory and unpredictable. Just like a rollercoaster, we encounter ups and downs, moments of exhilaration and moments of fear, all interwoven into the fabric of our existence.
Acceptance plays a significant role in navigating life’s intricacies. When we’re facing challenges or when things don’t go as planned, it’s okay to acknowledge our feelings, even the difficult ones. Embracing our emotions doesn’t mean succumbing to them; it means allowing ourselves to feel and then finding the strength to move forward. Nauheed’s words encourage us to embrace the paradoxes of life, to hold onto hope when times are tough, and to cherish every moment, regardless of its nature.
Life’s ironies teach us to approach each day with an open heart and a flexible perspective. By embracing its contradictions, accepting our emotions, and choosing to live with intention, we can find the beauty in the journey, regardless of its twists and turns.