gaspersWorld

BLAST FROM THE PAST - GOAN FILM MESMERIZES KUWAIT
BLAST FROM THE PAST - GOAN FILM MESMERIZES KUWAIT: REVIEW & COMMENTSBy Gasper CrastoKuwait: Once in a blue moon comes a film whose makers have the courage to take up and drive home a theme that is different from standard films, and a script that absorbs all genre. ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ among any kind of films – Hindi, English or other languages, is extremely exceptional and inimitable. No wonder it bagged 3 honors at the Indian National Film Awards with 2 awards and 1 Special Mention Merit.The screening in Kuwait was a much awaited one, coming through a long while after the movie was declared a stunning hit. Thanks to Goan Cultural Centre for bringing the film to Kuwait, and the Kuwait government for allowing the screening. Getting a license to screen a film in this part of the world, as everyone knows, is one of the most difficult tasks.As expected, the film - a nostalgic recreation of the 1960s era, an age that showcased Goa’s musical heritage - left the audience mesmerized.AWESOME STAR CASTOne cannot but have a word of admiration to the lead stars of the film - Vijay Maurya and Palomi Ghosh who played their roles to great perfection. Facial expressions and chemistry between the two is flawless. Palomi was perhaps the perfect choice to play the role with her naïve, sparkling looks - a symbol of youth and maturity.Veterans John D’Silva and Prince Jacob are hardcore actors, their presence in the movie is a proof indeed of their God-given talent. Both stalwarts amuse the audience with interesting and witty dialogues. John D’silva is simply super. His one liners are worth every applause; he is kept precise and expressive. Meenakshi Martins, in the role of mother, is well noted as well.Director Bardroy Barretto, the brain behind the project, deserves ‘Much More Special Mention’. His detailing is commendable in every frame. He has brought the best out of his star actors, but as a writer could have made the screenplay more animated and a bit emotional given the scenario of the script. Perhaps, the second half is in need of some trimming.The film has been going great guns ever since its premier last December. However, in terms of finding an international platform, it is so far only been screened in the Middle-East. KUWAIT PRESENTATIONKuwait had 4 shows at the 1000-capacity American International School with the first show on 29th May jam-packed. Tibush Rebello of T-Bush Int’l Films and DJ Mario were in-charge of the technicalities.A short presentation was held during the intervals of all shows. Special mementos/plaques were presented to Bardroy for the unsurpassed achievement of the movie. John Barretto, Savio Lopes, Simon D'Silva, Reaven D'Souza, Archie D'Mello, Naser Dastani & DJ Mario, etc, were presented with flower bouquets and plaques.Kuwait Konknni Mogi (KKM) also presented a special memento to the director at the hands of senior members Salazar Menezes, Gennifer Marshall and Domnic Fernandes.Savio Lopes spoke on behalf of Director Bardroy. Goan Cultural Centre President Carmo Santos, one of the producers of the film, thanked a number of people in his speech.SPONSORSThe show was sponsored by EXPAT Properties, Gulf Cable & Electrical Industries Co., Kalyan Jewellers, Mushrif Trading & Contr Co, Air India, Jet Airways, Al-Shuwaikh Electrical Co, Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons, TIMES Premier Weekly News Magazine, YRC-Rising Stars, Indian Bangladeshi Translation & Typing Co., etc.Versatile Corraine Santos and Domnic Fernandes compered in English and Konkani respectively. In a colorful souvenir released on the historic occasion, Goan Cultural Centre (GCC) has thanked the Government of Kuwait and its people, Embassy of India to the State of Kuwait, Dr.Kamil Al Rayes Theater, Response Media, Mr. Reaven D'Souza, Agnelo D'Costa, Tony Dias, Lawry Pinto, Anthony Aranjo, Gasper Crasto, Gasper Almeida, Aldrin Menezes, DJ Mario, Julio Cardozo and all the organizing team of GCC.Special thanks were acknowledged to Arab Times, Kuwait Times and prominent websites that covered the event.------------------------------------------- x ------------------------------------------- SOME PERSONAL VIEWS:Public opinion, though often formed upon a wrong basis, yet generally has a strong sense of justice. Kuwait audience had variegated views about the film. Director Bardroy Barretto claims: “As Lorna Cordeiro had reservations about her story being replayed on the cinema reel, he took the road of fiction and based his story on rumors.”In its review report, Kuwait’s Arab Times wrote: Nachom-ia Kumpasar is “a fictional account based on true events. The film probes into the lives of two of Goa’s most dynamic musical forces, Lorna Cordeiro and Chris Perry, while highlighting a generation of exceptional Goan musicians that animated the city of Bombay in 1960s and 70s but went largely unrecognized and unappreciated for their many contributions.”They have a disclaimer at the start of film that probably protects the producers: All characters appearing in this film are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. However, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the story is a true depiction of Lorna and Chris Perry which has perhaps caught the imagination of everyone and makes the film highly snoopy.NO SUBTITLES IN KUWAITBeing an International screening, proper arrangements should have been made for a version with English subtitles. It was disappointment for a number of non-Goans, non-Konkani speaking audience who attended the shows including children of Goan origin that are born and brought up in Kuwait.Even some Konkani experts were unable to grab a few dialogues. Personally, I could not catch some of Vijay Maurya’s phrases even in my second viewing. Perhaps its time I get my ears oiled. Thanks for Palomi’s English inbetween, it was an oasis to some of the Greek audience.SOUND SYSTEMThe sound-system was a bit of failure. It was no hi-tech, stereophonic or Dolby. One could find no difference between Lorna’s monophonic original songs and the film’s latest version tracks, it sounded all the same (atleast to me) – ofcourse with vibrant images as never seen before. Perhaps it was the inadequate system that killed the ‘surround-sound’ magic? Watching the movie in a proper auditorium, am sure, would certainly make a difference.Many fans wish/ed it was Lorna singing her own songs rather than another singer (although Cielda is fabulous from backstage). Or the original tracks should have been adopted for the film.Songs had to be re-recorded because of the old one-dimensional tracks. Agree. Why was Lorna not engaged to sing?LORNA'S SONGSOne of the most dynamic songs of the movie is ‘Kai borem band tem vaazta’. There was so much scope to make this song beautiful. However, the picturization is nothing extraordinary; it is done in too simple a way.Also, the director was short to exploit some of Lorna’s other available songs. Everyone would love to see some of Goa’s landmarks of the 60s recreated -- some beaches, rivers, ferries, some market places, Old Goa churches, etc.MYSTERY SCENEThe scene showing Palomi hanging should have been appropriately explained. I believe it is a dream or just an imagination of either Palomi or Vijay. Inbetween the scene, the screen goes black giving a feeling there is something wrong with the projection.TITLE OF THE FILMThe title of the film ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ is not attractive at all. It is perhaps the worst title among top 10 Konkani hit films in history. Such a mega movie, the title should have been more noteworthy, catchy and significant towards Goan identity of the past or Goan music, or something really related to the subject of core script. In general, it should have been a title to catch the eye of International audience since the film is done on a big-budget grand scale.SUGGESTED TITLES: 1. RED ROSE (after Lorna’s song in the movie – Ghor mughelem Kuddtore Sastti, Rosalin muj navum..)2. GOA MEU AMOR – after another of Lorna’s masterpieces.3. UN DOS TRES CUATRO (Kai borem band hem vazta song)4. CU CU RU CU CUMr. Bardroy, in some of his interviews says all of Chris Perry-Lorna's songs that he heard as a child told a story. But this cannot be true.Chris Perry has many other songs with various subjects. Some of Chris Perry's famous songs:LISBOACALANGUTE PRAIERKhuxealponn diunk, jivak purem,Mudans korunk zai, zalear borem,Maiyachea mhoineant, lokachem bhirem,Kongottche prayer, thonddgar varem.AMERIKAK PAUXIHello.... How are you?...You love me?Pollounk distai boro, asai mure goro,Mozo mog aslear khoro, matxe yeo re aroAre sogllem ghalun poro, hem kalliz mojem tuka voroTuka loz dista....SAUDICHEM KANTARDevan maka uzvaddachi ponti dili,Otra vorsam apurbai tuji keli,Orthant amchea ekuch ful'leli dhali,Novrean tujea vinchun kaddun vheli....Mogan tumi poddon re, kazar tumi zalim reDevachem bessanv tumcher poddom re....One of the best songs of Lorna that should have been in Nachom-ia Kumpasar:MOGACHO VOSSOMelea nagoun tum geloi mure makam,Chora bhirmot futteli tukam,Tukam sopnan poitam, fatlean danvtam, dusreak ghat korinakam,Oxim pation raulim, ankwar baulim, kalzan vanvlim dukham.Mar Bonvtaloi veng maka marunMissak vortaloi ath mozo dhorunTumven axechem map mellea bhorunMaka bavoilem abgath korunAnd also:SORG TUJEA DOLLEANIM Surya ekuch don kaim assonam,Tossoch tujea xivai dusro maka nam,Doryak sukhti bhorti yeumchi chukonam,Tuka poilear kherit kainch ruchonamAnyway, hats off to Bardroy and company and all those who contributed to the film’s success and made Goa proud. Hope they team up for another 'titanic' Goan movie soon.Also read: http://gaspersworld.blogspot.com/
Posted by Gasper Crasto on Thursday, June 4, 2015