Last week at the movies vol. 10

Last week I saw two very different and unique movies at my local theater. Let’s get into it :

First up was a 2019 British film called Bait. I had never heard of this movie before, but took a chance on it, and I am glad that I did. First, the movie is in Black & White, something I love to see in movies. It was also shot entirely on a vintage hand cranked 16mm Bolex camera, which gives the movie a very distinctive style. It is set in a Cornish fishing village in the United Kingdom, and at the core is about gentrification. In a word I found it fascinating, especially for cinephiles. Probably not for everyone, but definitely was my cup of tea.

The movie RRR is what started my interest in Bollywood and films from India a few years ago, and have slowly started expanding into more films from this country. Seeing the previews for Ramayana, I knew I had to see it, but knew nothing about the history and lore that this film is based on.

I have always either fully rejected or really struggled with religion in general, especially from Western influences and the church I grew up in as a youth. As I get older though, I find myself looking for completely new beliefs to see what may connect with me. Surprisingly I find the culture and belief system from India working for me, and the movie just solidified in me a deep seated yearning to explore more about this belief system.

The movie itself is a complete visual spectacle with great story telling, interesting characters and over the top actions and set pieces. At over three hours long (and that is just part one), it could be a bit much for some, but I loved it and so did the people of Indian descent that were in the theater with me.