The Anthonian Literary Club has film review writing1 (which is not an easy job) as part of its agenda. One needs patience to watch a film with a critical eye, perceive all the information about it and then write an analysis from the perspective of one who knows the art of cinema. A good review is not just a summary of a movie, but a critical analysis that examines why and how a movie succeeds (or does not) in its presentation.
As part of the exercise the first film chosen to be screened was Jafar Panahi’s acclaimed “Offside”2. The film was screened on April 13, 2011 in the school library and was restricted to the students of classes 9 and 10. The Headmaster, Fr. Devraj Fernandes inaugurated the event and instilled in the students the need to view cinema as a medium of social change and artistic expression.
Jafar Panahi is an Iranian filmmaker and is one of the most influential filmmakers in the Iranian New Wave movement. He has gained recognition from film theorists and critics worldwide and received numerous awards including the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
Panahi's first feature film came in 1995, entitled White Balloon. This film won a Camera d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His second feature film, The Mirror, received the Golden Leopard Award at the Locarno Film Festival. His most notable offering to date has been The Circle (2000), which criticized the treatment of women in Iran. Jafar Panahi won the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice Film Festival for The Circle, which was named FIPRESCI Film of the Year at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, and appeared on Top 10 lists of critics worldwide. Panahi also directed Crimson Gold in 2003, which brought him the Un Certain Regard Jury Award at the Cannes Film Festival. Panahi's Offside3 (the story of girls who disguise themselves as boys to be able to watch a football match) was selected for competition in the 2006 Berlin Film Festival, where he was awarded with the Silver Bear (Jury Grand Prix). 2 About "Offside" http://www.parstimes.com/film/offside.html
3 New York Times Review of "Offside" http://movies.nytimes.com/2007/03/23/movies/23offside.html
Wow! I have always been a fan of the cinema of Jafar Panahi. Way to go Anthonians. One more milestone for the school.
ReplyDeleteThis blog post reminds me of the movie screenings that I attended in school - the likes of 36 Chambers of Shaolin Temple, Robocop etc. and also the day the teachers escorted us to watch Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at Globe. But this is going to the next level and how! - watching Jafar Panahi's Offside and writing film reviews. The Anthonian Literary Club has been a boon for the current students of the school and this blog is great for all the Anthonians to express themselves. My best wishes are with The Anthonian Literary Club.
ReplyDeletesince i am not a part of litrary club but after watching all these i am feel upset that why haven't i joint these club. after watching al these i am very intrusted to be a part of these litlary club
ReplyDeleteits a great work.. al credit to Mr Steve Menezes.. we al luv u a lot..
ReplyDeleteits a very bold and great movment started by the litrary club of our school and its for the first time that our school has now reached to a global link
ReplyDelete