indian cinema

Beyond Bollywood: Indian cinema's new cutting edge
A new wave of Indian independent film is breaking the all-singing, all-dancing stereotype of Bollywood via low-cost, offbeat movies and edgier subject matter



Aiming for a younger ­audience who are disenfranchised by Bollywood … Love, Sex aur Dhokha
A sleazy shop assistant seduces a vulnerable colleague for a money-spinning sex tape; two hopelessly-in-love students are brutally murdered by the girl's family; an intrepid TV reporter embarks on an expose of the notorious casting couch. This triptych of stories set in 21st-century metropolitan India unfolds over 98 minutes of blurry, trembling CCTV, mobile phone, camcorder and hidden-camera footage in the film LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha (Love, Sex and Betrayal).

Surely the only Indian film to reference sex and drugs in both its title and abbreviation, LSD: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha is one of the new wave of Indian indies – edgy, off-beat films challenging the stereotype of Indian cinema as tear-jerking, all-singing, all-dancing Bollywood. It fared more than respectably when it was released in India last year, making £1.25m from its paltry £200,000 budget, and was selected to open the inaugural London Indian film festival (LIFF) in 2010, and thereby act as the flagship for this fledgling cinematic phenomenon.

In fact, 2010 proved decisive in the breakthrough of Indian indies (or "Hindies" as they have been dubbed in India) into mainstream cinema: LSD and Peepli Live, a deliciously dark satire on media, politics and farmer suicide, made India's top 10 most profitable films of 2010 in percentage profit, while Dhobi Ghat, an elegant paean to old Bombay, and the slapstick of Tere Bin Laden were critically lauded and box-office successes in the key "metro cities" (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore).

Considering the eye-watering losses incurred by big-budget Bollywood flops such as Kites, Raavan and Veer, it's no wonder the Indian film industry has woken up to the possibilities of low-cost independent films starring virtual unknowns and directed by emerging talent. Indian indies have been given a helping hand thanks to the patronage of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, whose production company Aamir Khan Productions (AKP) is responsible for Peepli Live, Dhobi Ghat, 2007's sleeper hit Taare Zameen Par and the forthcoming caper comedy Delhi Belly, which premieres at this year's LIFF before getting a general release.

Khan has become the figurehead of Hindie cinema more by luck than design. "AKP began by accident. I didn't intend to produce films until I came across the script for Lagaan – which I loved, and nobody was prepared to produce. The industry thought a film about villagers rising up and playing cricket against the Raj was too unusual and very risky. Since Lagaan it's been 10 years and we've produced six films, and they all have been films nobody else would touch," he says. "Of these five have been first-time directors and two have been women directors, which is unusual in India. So we're a production house for young talent and film-makers who want to do different films. Each of the films is off beat and alternative, so unintentionally we have ended up supporting independent cinema."

The fact that 46-year-old Khan is one of Bollywood's top three actors (along with two other Khans, Shah Rukh and Salman) and star of the two highest-grossing films in Indian cinema, 2009's 3 Idiots (£47m), and Memento-inspired Ghajini (£26m), and 2001's Oscar-nominated Lagaan – the third Indian film to be shortlisted for an Academy award – has made the public and industry sit up and take notice of Indian indies.

Cary Rajinder Sawhney, director of LIFF, as well as curator of South Asian content at the London film festival, has high hopes for Delhi Belly. "We moved the festival to tie in with Delhi Belly's release, as we knew it was right for our audience. Rather than the standard Bollywood audience across four generations, we're aiming for the younger generation who are disenfranchised by Bollywood of their parents' era, and want something more cutting-edge," he says.

Delhi Belly certainly fits the cutting-edge bill – it's in English, and has an Adults Only rating in India for swearing and depicting sex. Despite being a household name with a family-friendly image, Khan makes no apologies for backing it. "In genre terms, it's like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and reflects audiences are changing, and so are film-makers. The writer studied film-making at UCLA and the style of the script is western. Indian cinema is evolving."

Sawhney began LIFF to showcase the fact that Indian cinema has more to offer than Bollywood. "As programmer for the London film festival for 15 years, what struck me is how few of the Indian films were picked up for distribution in the UK, or were critically acclaimed."

The two-week event aims to broaden the UK's narrow view of Indian cinema not only through smart programming but also through organising industry workshops between British and Indian film-makers. "We see Iranian or Latin American film lauded at film festivals, yet good Indian cinema is going under the radar," Sawhney says. These films should be taken as seriously as other world cinema. In the UK it seems the only conception of Indian cinema is Bollywood or Satyajit Ray. There's been a real surge in new-wave independent cinema, and it's successful in the box office."

Indian independent cinema is a different beast to Hollywood. In India all producers were independent, big or little, until the government granted Indian cinema "industry" status in 2001. This ushered in the era of corporate studios such as Reliance, Eros and UTV, which finance, produce, distribute and market films. (One result of the change was that film-makers no longer depended on the underworld for finance.)

Film critic Anupama Chopra says the term independent cinema applies, in India, to a film's creative sensibility. "We're not talking about finance or distribution, but content and storytelling. These films don't adhere to the song-and-dance formula we've had for many years," she says.

India does have a history of arthouse cinema, even if Bengali director Satyajit Ray is the only film-maker most have heard of. "There was a vibrant art house or parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s," Chopra, says "with directors like Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, and brilliant actors Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. The cinema was challenging, but only occasionally did well commercially.

"It petered out in the 1980s because audiences stopped going to the cinema because of video. The resurgence in independent cinema is not arthouse in the way we knew it. Now they're not stories of rural India or exploitation; instead we have a whole generation of directors raised on Bollywood and Hollywood, telling modern urban tales."

As with any story on contemporary India, globalisation and the opening up of the economy have been pivotal: "Modern film makers have grown up with satellite TV. It arrived in 1991; before that there was one state-run channel. People who are 20 to 25 have grown watching The Bold and the Beautiful and The Sopranos."

In 1997 the first multiplexes arrived (housed in air-conditioned shopping malls) and their rapid proliferation has contributed to the development of more sophisticated, broader tastes. "Before multiplexes," says Chopra, "you only had single-screen cinemas seating 1,000; to fill that you needed a big movie. Now you can put the big movie in a screen with 500 people and something like LSD, Peepli Live or Delhi Belly in a screen for 200 or even 90 people. Both will sell out."

The corporate entities, such as Reliance BIG Entertainment, haven't hesitated to move with the changing times, and are increasingly prepared to enter into co-productions with independent operators. "One third of the population is under 25," Mahesh Ramanathan of Reliance says. "Changing societal patterns are influencing cinema, and films made on small budgets that mirror today's youth and lifestyle can also turn in big box-office numbers."

That's not to say the age of big-canvas, megastar-led, pan-India blockbusters – the four-quadrant film appealing to young and old, male and female – is over. But the financial risk means they will be few and far between, part of a film industry that's more agile, varied and innovative in its storytelling."What's been good to see in the last few years is there have been different kinds of films being made," Khan says. "Rather than one kind of film, there's a variety that speaks for the health of the industry going forward."

Music For Weddings Event

Your wedding is the most important party you will ever plan and the music is one of the key decisions you need to make. You should seriously think about the type of wedding you and your partner want before making a decision. It is not something to rush. Take your time and answer a few questions before deciding on any music.

Is budget a constraint on the music you can select? Every couple has a budget. You should sit down and decide what you are willing to spend on music for the evening. Once you have that figure it is good to have a discussion about priorities. Is it more important to get the band you want or stick to the budget? This decision will vary for each couple but you should make sure you are both on the same page.

Do you want a live band or a DJ? Is it important to have live music at your wedding or do you prefer beats? There is no right or wrong. As a couple this is about personal taste and the style of your wedding. A DJ can sometimes be a safer bet as most DJs will have a good mix of songs that everybody knows. A band gives a more personal atmosphere.

Is the theme going to shape your music choice? Think about the theme of your wedding party. Are you going to have a theme? The music will need to reflect this. Have a string quartet at a backyard BBQ wedding would seem an impossible fit. Do you want people to dance? You need to find music which suits your theme and encourages people to the dance floor.

Do you or your partner have religious or cultural requirements? If you are having a culturally traditional ceremony and reception then you will probably want the music to reflect these decisions. The music should complement the party not stand out like an awkward thumb. The band or DJ should play music which matches this. You may need time to source bands which reflect some cultures or backgrounds.

Is your couple taste or guest enjoyment more important? The music you choose should reflect your personal taste and set the atmosphere. You need to decide is it most important to you to reflect your tastes as a couple or for all your guests to enjoy the party. If you have your hearts set on a death metal band at your wedding, go ahead, but try to understand many of your guests may not enjoy the evening. You should try to select music that both you and your guests can appreciate.

Does your venue restrict your choice? Some venues may not be equipped with a sound system or space to accommodate every band. If you have already picked a venue then you need to make sure your music choice will be appropriate. Ask about noise restrictions, it is better to be safe than sorry.

VST Guitar

VST Guitar - 4 Sample Based Guitar Plug-Ins for the Keyboard Player

In a antecedent commodity I talked about a adjustment of creating astute alive Guitar solos application my keyboard. However, if you are like me and cannot comedy a absolute guitar, how can you actualize believable guitar advance in your home flat back either composing, or bearing audio abetment advance for your abandoned performances?.

Well, the acknowledgment is VST.

Briefly, VST or (Virtual Flat Technology) is acomputer application interface advised by Steinberg, which allows a actuality to simulate either agreeable instruments or flat accouterments furnishings realistically, such as Reverb, Compression, Delay, Audio Mastering to name aloof a few.

Many VST 'plug-ins' can accomplish as stand-alone programs but about they are acclimated (or 'Plugged in') to your music sequencer - Cubase, Logic or Sonar are prime examples. There are abounding VST plug-ins accessible on the market, but for the purpose of this commodity I am apperception on the use of VST Guitar plug-ins which, through the use of audio sampling, challenge the appearance and sounds of a absolute guitar. (Not to be abashed with aloof assuming Guitar Furnishings and Amplifier Cabinets)

So, what is appropriate about actuality able to challenge a Guitar?

This blazon of appetite VST Guitar constituent uses audio samples of the absolute blazon of guitar that has been selected. This agency that as a non Guitar amateur I can realistically carbon a guitar complete application my keyboard. Also, by the use of the keyboard I can additionally affect the achievement and appearance of the produced sound.

For example, I can comedy a ambit with my appropriate had and with my larboard columnist keys (often at the top or basal annals of the keyboard) to aftermath achievement techniques such as abounding advance and sustain, arch mute, slap, harmonics, affront noise, angle bend, strum, up/down achievement - the account goes on.

Another additional to these plug-ins is that you can ascendancy them from your Midi advance aural your sequencer. This is advantageous if you are converting your midi advance to audio abetment tracks. Let's face it, if you are application abetment advance for your abandoned act, cipher wants to apprehend midi anymore, and the converted-to-audio affection is so abundant added professional.

Music Lab Real Guitar

One of the VST Guitar bales that I use is MusicLab's RealGuitar 2L. This accurate constituent appearance 8 Acoustic guitars, including Steel, Nylon and 12 String. I accept acclimated this constituent actual auspiciously converting my Midi advance and the achievement simulations are acutely realistic.

Music Lab Real Strat and Real LPC

MusicLab accept two added agnate basic VST Guitar samplers called RealStrat and RealLPC. The first, as the called suggests, emulates the sounds and appearance of the Strat Guitar. Not alone does this constituent accept the accepted ambit of ascendancy over arena techniques and articulations, but additionally has its own Pattern Manager complete with a Pattern Library, enabling the user to calmly actualize guitar accessory tracks.

MusicLab RealLPC

Next is RealLPC. This constituent emulates a Les Paul Custom Guitar which boasts an avant-garde access to guitar complete modelling and guitar techniques. The address of this high-end custom Guitar is apparently because it is acclimated by abounding Guitar Heroes such as Gary Moore, Carlos Santana, Eddie Van Halen etc.

The playability of this VST apparatus is based on different achievement modes, accumulated with an accessible to use keyboard blueprint which allows the Keyboardist to accomplish with accomplished fresh achievement realism.

Vir2 Instruments Electri6ity

There is one final VST Guitar adornment I appetite to mention, and that is Vir2 Instruments' Electri6ity. In my chase for "the perfect" VST Guitar, the best difficult to acquisition has been a basic guitar which can aftermath beauteous astute advance guitar - abnormally the added Rock blazon of abandoned you ability apprehend John Petrucci or Eddie Van Halen perform.

Electri6ity uses 8 guitars including the Les Paul, Strat, Tele and Rickenbacker and thecomputer application incorporates added than 24,000 audio samples of anniversary guitar acceptance you to comedy every delivery on every cord of every affront to aftermath that accurate guitar sound. Certainly for advance work, this constituent absolutely rocks my boat.

Conclusion

If you are a Keyboard Amateur attractive to affairs a VST Guitar constituent and are a bit borderline about which, again I achievement the aloft has accustomed some acumen which one may be appropriate for you. Excellent affection VST samplers for appetite of added instruments like Piano, Drum, Orchestral instruments etc. accept been about for absolutely a while, but award that appropriate astute guitar appetite - abnormally for advance assignment - has alone been available, in my opinion, absolutely afresh acknowledgment to added able accretion ability - administration huge quantities of aerial affection audio samples in real-time, accumulated with a able and able-bodied anticipation out ascendancy via your keyboard.

Audiophiles Unite

True Audiophiles Affiliate - Accumulate Abundant Music Alive

True audiophiles affiliate to accumulate abundant music animate and vinyl annal are at the top of the list. There is annihilation added agitative to a music activist than putting a almanac on the turntable and alert to the admirable complete it makes. Vinyl annal are recorded in analog and back you absolutely apprehend in analog, it's a added accustomed complete that's added adorable to the ears.

When you're accessible to accompany music lovers everywhere to advice accumulate in apportionment some of the best aural music in history, actuality are bristles abundant means to accumulate vinyl annal alive:

1. Participate in apology projects advised to restore vinyl records. Back you booty allotment in and advice these projects through your abutment and funding, you advice to accumulate vinyl annal and all they accept to action accessible for approaching generations.

2. Start up a accumulating of singles and albums from all music genres.

3. Go arcade for annal on eBay, Amazon and added sites that action abundant deals on all types of music.

4. Look for vinyl albums at barn sales, acreage sales and austerity food area they may be tucked abroad in a bend somewhere.

5. Talk to others about the accent of chain calm to abutment the affairs and affairs of annal forth with assuming your abutment for projects advised to restore or charm vinyl.

Let others apperceive that you are accomplishing your allotment and anybody charge appear calm to accumulate vinyl animate for approaching ancestors to enjoy. Back accurate audiophiles affiliate calm you can achieve aloof about annihilation you set your apperception to do. Make your attendance accepted and appearance aloof how important it is for all audiophiles to appearance their support.

It's adamantine to accept that there are some bodies who don't alike apperceive what a vinyl almanac is or what abundant complete it produces. These are the ones that accept developed up on iPods, MP3 players and CDs. This is a abashment because they are missing out on so abundant and don't alike apprehend it. You could be the one to accompany archetypal vinyl into their lives for the aboriginal time.

When accurate audiophiles affiliate to accumulate this music alive, it gives this and approaching ancestors the adventitious to apprehend music in its purest form. Vinyl annal were the aboriginal adjustment acclimated to accompany music into homes area you could aces and accept what you listened to back you capital to apprehend music, clashing the radio area you had to accept to whatever they absitively to play.

Classic Country Artists

Classic country artists accept fabricated such an consequence on the music industry that abounding of them accept becoming a appropriate abode in the history of music. Archetypal country music or as it is sometimes called, Country and Western music, has fabricated its mark on association and it will consistently a big allotment of our lives.

It's aloof as accepted today as it was in the alpha alike admitting there are abounding added types of music to accept to such as bedrock and roll, pop, hip-hop and so forth. Abounding fresh country singers are arising up every year who archetypal themselves afterwards one of the aboriginal singers who helped get things started so abounding years ago.

Classic country music began evolving in the 20s and Jimmie Rodgers was accustomed the appellation "Father of Country Music" because it's believed that this blazon of music began with both Rodgers and the Carter family. Of course, abounding added abundant musicians accept fabricated a cogent appulse over the years and they still authority the absorption of music lovers today.

In fact, so abounding country artists accept fabricated an appulse on the music industry that it's difficult to attenuated bottomward the account to aloof a few but actuality are 10 of the top archetypal country artisan of all time:

1. Johnny Cash

2. George Jones

3. Conway Twitty

4. Charlie Pride

5. Buck Owens

6. Patsy cline

7. Merle Haggard

8. Hank Williams

9. Dolly Parton

10. Waylon Jennings

These names will consistently be remembered as some of the greatest singers and in some cases, songwriters of the 20th century. Their music is played over the airways and collectors everywhere seek out albums created by these artists to add to their collection. Some of them are account a lot of money abnormally back they are in excellent condition.

Many singers accept dabbled in altered types of music throughout their careers. Jimmy Buffett was one of these who seemed to add a canton song or two to his albums alike admitting he was more good accepted for his pop and folk music. Others like Elvis Presley began their career as a country accompanist but again confused on to sing bedrock and cycle music. He will consistently be remembered for his amazing appearance of music in both genres.

Country music has appear a continued way back those acclaimed artists began their career and in some ways, it has alike changed. This is why canonizing the archetypal country artists of yesteryear are so important for music lovers everywhere.

Double Dhamaal

It's the season of sequels! After last week's Bheja Fry 2, which got a thanda response, all eyes were on Double Dhamaal, the sequel to 2007's comedy Dhamaal. With obvious comparisons in tow, Double Dhamaal manages to create just a stir and No Dhamaal, forget it being Double.

The movie is like a circus show, where various artists don different avatars, hit each other, fall down, make funny faces and do other amusing things with the sole aim to make you laugh. Sometimes they hit the Bull's eye, sometimes they don't. Similar is the case with Double Dhamaal, where various characters struggle to perk up the movie, succeed in some scenes but fail on the whole.

Director Indra Kumar, with wacky comedies like Ishq and Dil to his name, which were marked with some beautiful emotional and romantic moments, has tried to meet his fans' sky-high hopes in Double Dhamaal with an ensemble star cast, foreign locales and some mad-cap and adult humour, which definitely makes you giggle but strictly in some parts. Unfortunately, the man ended up making another mindless comedy, which is not at all 'hatke.'

What to say about the writers, must admit that they have done their homework well (read getting inspired by recent Bollywood comedies) as the movie exploits the sexual and adult humour to the core. So, be ready for some 'balls' and 'marbles' rolled at you and don't get zapped if the names of characters sound like popular expletives!

Talking about the story-line, first half looks quite clichéd and predictable, in the way Sanjay Dutt plans to fool the four boys and then they decide to take revenge. Post intermission, the plot begins to show some signs of twists in the tale but all that comes to the fore is usual jokes, typical funny situations and over the top scenes, which begin to irritate you after some time. However, the movie can boast of a few scenes that will definitely tickle your funny bone - gorilla scene, coat hanging scene and the spoofs on Guzaarish, Taare Zameen Par and Wanted, deserve a mention here.

Double Dhamaal begins where Dhamaal ends. The four friends of Dhamaal are back with Double Dhamaal - Roy (Riteish Deshmukh), Boman (Ashish Choudhary), Adi (Arshad Warsi) and Manav (Jaaved Jaafrey) are leading a life of paupers after donating all of their money to the orphanage. They meet the supah rich Kabir (Sanjay Dutt) and the two sexy ladies - Kia (Kangana) and Kamini (Mallika Sherawat) and that ignites their desire to lead a luxurious life. And soon, begins the mad race to become rich, richer and richest - a race that's marked with silly ramblings, mistaken identities, disguises and lots of tamasha.

As far as characters are concerned, you can say only they are the saving grace. While, Sanjay Dutt delivers what's expected - nothing more, nothing less, Arshad, is really asardar with his comic timing and dialogue delivery, Riteish once again takes the cake for his performance, specially for his outstanding mimicry. Aashish Choudhary is a revelation as sex-siren Barbara Horie and Do Do, though, he is just 'ok' as Boman. Jaaved Jaffrey will win your heart with his vulnerability, which creates some humorous moments. Mallika Sherawat is just a 'show piece,' a sexy one at that. We're wondering if she was funnier as the Hiss-torical Naagin or Kamini? Even the controversial and 'blink and you miss' bikini act and the anticipated item number 'Jalebi Bai' couldn't save her sinking character. Last but not the least, Kangana's character could have explored a lot more. The girl definitely has some comic sense, which if exploited well can work wonders.

Music (un)wise the film doesn't offer anything remarkable minus the 'Chal Kudiye' number by Mika, which might become a party-anthem for some days. 'Jalebi Bai,' which was being promoted as a competition to 'Shelia' and Munni, doesn't even come close to them. Rest of the songs are forgettable, and you will for sure! Anand Raj Anand has been better in the past.

On the whole, Double Dhamaal is a movie for those, who are in no mood to handle 'heavy duty' stuff and are looking out for just any movie to kill three hours with some under the belt humour. A statutory warning from us - A BIG tub of pop corn is a must! After all you deserve a treat for sitting through the movie!

Dubai Cinemas

Best Way of Entertainment!
Dubai is a beautiful place famous for its scenic attractions as well as mesmerizing skyline. Tourists in large numbers visit Dubai to experience these enthralling sites. A wide variety of entertainment centers are also located in Dubai that entertains visitors as well as local people. Besides these entertainment centers, Dubai Cinemasalso offer excitement and entertainment to the viewers.

Many cinema centers such as Grand Cinecity, Grand Cineplex, Grand Mercato, CineStar Cinemas at Diera City Centre, Lamcy Cinema, Grand Metroplex, etc are few of the prominent cinemas in Dubai. Besides local people, visitors can also enjoy good movies and forget about their day to day stressful lives.

Grand Cinemas offer quality entertainment to their viewers. The hall is state of the art and attracts people in large numbers. The success of Grand Cinemas is phenomenal and has given way to many more additions to the group. Sustainable growth has been witnessed in cinema facilities in Dubai.

CineStar Cinemas are located inside Mall of Emirates. One can shop around for a while and then can watch cinema to culminate the day at a happy note. Most of the movies give a positive message to the society but some are through and through entertaining and comedy. People love to watch these movies as they do not have to apply their mind and get serious. One just needs to let go of himself and enjoy thoroughly.

The VOX cinema is another feather in the cap as far as entertainment industry is concerned. Located in Deira City Centre, this cinema offers 4k Digital projection systems. In this system the number of pixels is four times more than any other digital cinema in the nearby region. A visitor can experience more enthralling and compelling cinema on these screens. The picture quality is impressive thereby making the experience more exciting.

The passion for cinemas is reflected everywhere. Seldom there are people who do not enjoy movies. Cinemas are a source of good entertainment that helps people to forget their worries and real life for a while thereby taking them to a fantasy land. The passion of movies is so great that children and youngsters start emulating their favorite superstars. They walk like them, talk like them, wear designer clothes, etc. So far it is within the limits, it is alright but at times things go out of control and a person gets cut off from reality.

Cinemas are responsible for offering relaxation to people otherwise busy in their day to day monotonous life. Today's highly competitive world does not give them a breather and they are forced to work hard to stay afloat. Watching cinemas once in a while relieves their tension. They feel relaxed and ready to work with double enthusiasm.

It is fact that despite a huge variety of other means of entertainment available these days, the charm and excitement of cinemas is not going to recede. This form of entertainment has carved a niche for itself and continues to entertain people from all walks of life. Dubai Cinemas offer best cinematic experience to their viewers.

Cat Caught King's

A Review of The King's Speech (2010)
At the 83rd Academy Awards, The King's Speech won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director (Tom Hooper), Best Actor (Colin Firth), and Best Original Screenplay (David Seidler). The film had received twelve Oscar nominations, more than any other film. Besides the four categories it won, the film received nominations for Best Cinematography (Danny Cohen) and two for the supporting actors (Helena Bonham Carter and Geoffrey Rush), as well as two for its mise-en-scène: Art Direction and Costumes.

I am not sure how strongly the story of a stammering, early twentieth century Duke of York will appeal to audiences in Dhaka, but The King's Speech is a must-see for our local moviemakers. Natoks and non-FDC cinema in Bangladesh are usually similar dialogue-driven dramas. Therefore, a comparative analysis with The King's Speech is pertinent. This film has won the top award at the Producers' Guild and the Directors' Guild of America, the People's choice at the Toronto Film Festival, seven Golden Globes and has been nominated for twelve Oscars. Moreover, according to market data providers, Rentrak, it has grossed near about 100 million dollars and counting, in the US and through international markets.

Of course, the scale of this production is incomparable with the size of Bangladeshi productions, but the subject matter The King's Speech handles is of the nature that Bangladeshi filmmakers feel comfortable dealing in. Presupposing that the wily, know-it-all Bengali filmmaker receives this film positively, there may be many lessons to be learned from The King's Speech. The question I want to pose to them before I go ahead and review the film: Does the success of a drama depend on the bare rudiments? A formidable screenplay, some stellar acting, a picky director and, and: a knowledgeable team? Or, is there some mantra behind it?

The story of the The King's Speech is as thorough a look into the world of a stammerer as ever seen. The three character plot may seem rather linear, but it is perforated with subtext. Director Tom Cooper does a good job of executing the tension that writer David Seidler writes into the relationship between his Royal Highness, or Bertie, (Colin Firth) and his Australian speech therapist, Lionel Louge (Geoffery Rush). My one complaint about the script: the viewer has to suffer through too many of Bertie's excruciatingly agonizing failed orations. To call for empathy is alright, but the repeated pain inflicted on the audience needed to be curtailed.

In his screenplay, writer David Seidler in effect, creates three worlds-the early twentieth century time period; the protocol encrusted world of the Royalty and Lionel's world- where he is king and the Crown becomes a commoner. There is a reason behind his impudence: he supports that his unorthodox and controversial methods will work on the Duke, only if they behave as equals. The discomfort that this situation creates for the Duke, opens up a novel avenue for both textual and subtextual investigations on sociability in the monarchy. Also, as the relationship between patient and "doctor" grows, a unique friendship is explored.

Geoffery Rush, Colin Firth and Helena Bonham Carter's acting does justice to the script. Variety Magazine's Peter Debruge claims, in his September 4, 2010 article, that the big scenes are indisputably the monarch's. Yet, the therapist's stubbornness in choosing his way over the king's, has more onscreen visibility than the monarch's royal perseverance to deliver and finish a speech. The Duke of York does have the more emotional scenes, but, the memorable character sketch and performance is the therapist's. Geoffery Rush gets to play a delightfully independent persona and everything Rush does onscreen enriches the story. His every gesture, every deliberation brings us closer to this period piece.

We are reminded very early into the film that Lionel the therapist is a failed actor. This bit of information foreshadows the later revelation that he is also an actor, somewhat, in real life: he is not a certified practitioner. This foreshadowing illuminates Lionel's inner conflict and gives the goings-on of his mind as much importance as the conflicts in the title character's mind.

The props and sets have a distinct charateristic of their own. Every wall is rich and textured, every room borrows heavily from a particular palette and every character and every staging uses spaces to make them look like lived-in places. Tom Cooper and the director of photography, Danny Cohen, exploit the locations to a point of flaunting their baroque beauty. Actors are shown with ample headroom, they are often short-sided and the close-ups are shot with wide lenses giving the viewer a much wider, almost askew, angle of view behind the actor.