Cineflections-56 All We Imagine As Light – 2024, Malayam, Marathi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, and compassion.” ― Simone de Beauvoir All We Imagine As Light is a film written and directed by Payal Kapadiya. The film premiered […]
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Cineflections-55 Missamma – 1955, Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda “All religions must be tolerated… for every man must get to heaven in his own way.” – Epictetus Missamma is a film made by L.V. Prasad written by Chakrapani based on a Bengali short story titled Manmoyee Girls’ School penned by Rabindranath Maitra. This film is from the classic […]
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Cineflections-54 Asha Jaoar Majhe – (Labor of Love) – 2014, Bengali -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” – Socrates Asha Jaoar Majhe is a film made by Aditya Vikram Sengupta. The film premiered at the 11th Venice Days Film Festival. It won the Indira Gandhi Award for the Best Debut film, and […]
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Cineflections-53 Kissaa Kursee Kaa (Story of The Throne) – 1978, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is to live under the government of worse men.” – Plato Kissaa Kursee Kaa is a political satire film made by Amrit Nahata in 1978. The film was first […]
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Cineflections-52 Attam (The Play) – 2023, Malayalam -Manjula Jonnalagadda “There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.”— Dawn Serra Aattam is a film written and directed by Anand Ekarshi. The […]
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Cineflections-51 Maya Darpan – (The Mirror of Illusion) 1972, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “I have lived enough for the sake of others, now I will live my life the way I want to” – Taran (from the short story penned by Nilesh Varma) Maya Darpan is a film made by Kumar Sahani based on a short story […]
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Cineflections-50 Mitr, My Friend – 2002, English -Manjula Jonnalagadda People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.— Dalai Lama XIV Mitr, My Friend is a film directed by Revathi, and written by V. Priya and Sudha Kongara. The film won the Best Feature […]
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Cineflections-49 Thiladaanam (The Rite… A Passion) – 2001, Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda The function of ritual, as I understand it, is to give form to human life, not in the way of a mere surface arrangement, but in depth. – Joseph Campbell Thilaadaanam is a film made by K.N.T. Sastry, based on a short story by […]
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Cineflections-48 Massey Sahib – 1985, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.” ― Chinua Achebe Massey Sahib is a film written and directed by Pradeep Kishan based on the novel Mister Johnson by Joyce Cary. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival […]
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Cineflections-47 Manichithrathazhu – (The Ornate Lock) – 1993, Malayalam -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Humanity is so weird. If we’re not laughing, we’re crying or running for our lives because monsters are trying to eat us. And they don’t even have to be real monsters. They could be the ones we make up in our heads. Don’t you […]
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Cineflections-46 Ittefaq – (The Coincidence) – 1969, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “He looked at the corner of the ceiling with an absent stare. I looked at him with a not so absent stare. He looked like a man who could be trusted with a secret—if it was his own secret.” ― Raymond Chandler, The High Window […]
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Cineflections-45 Kaaka Muttai (The Crow’s Egg) – 2015, Tamil -Manjula Jonnalagadda “I can resist everything except temptation.” – Oscar Wilde Kaaka Muttai is a film written and directed by M. Manikandan. This film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. It won the National Award for the Best Children’s Film and the Best Child Artists […]
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Cineflections-44 Thulabharam (The Scales) – 1968, Malayalam -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Poverty is the worst form of violence.” – Mahatma Gandhi Thulabharam is a Malayalam film directed by A. Vincent based on a play penned by Thoppil Bhasi for Kerala People’s Arts Club. The film won the National Award for the Second Best Feature Film and the […]
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Cineflections-43 Teesri Kasam (Third Promise) – 1966, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “if she had not been a gypsy, and if he had not been a priest” – Victor Hugo Teesri Kasam is the film directed by Basu Bhattacharya, based on a short story titled “Maare Gaye Gulfam” by Phanishwarnath Renu. Renu also penned the dialogue for […]
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Cineflections-42 Sruthialayalu – 1987, Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda “శిశుర్వేత్తి పశుర్వేత్తి వేత్తిగాన రసంఫణిః” The children know, the animals know the snakes know the essence of music Sruthilayalu is a film written and directed by K. Viswanath. The film premiered at the International Film Festival of India. It won several Andhra Pradesh state government’s Nandi Awards. It won […]
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Cineflections-41 Nimantran – An Invitation – 1971, Bengali -Manjula Jonnalagadda “To burn with desire and keep quiet about it is the greatest punishment we can bring on ourselves.” ― Federico García Lorca Nimantran is a film directed and written by Tarun Majumdar based on a story by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyaya. This film won the Best Bengali […]
Continue ReadingCineflections-40 The Blue Umbrella – 2005, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Forgiveness says you are given another chance to make a new beginning” – Desmond Tutu The Blue Umbrella is a film directed by Vishal Bharadwaj based on a novella penned by Ruskin Bond. The film premiered at the Busan Film Festival in 2005. It won the […]
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Cineflections-39 Hamsageethe (The Swan Song) – Kannada, 1975 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “It is only rigorous training and in depth study that make music mature into the realm of the classical.” – Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna Hamsageethe is a film directed and written by G.V. Iyer based on the novel with the same written by T.R. Subba Rao. The […]
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Cineflections-38 Sinhasan – Marathi, 1979 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy’s position weak.” – Sun Tzu Sinhasan is a film directed by Jabbar Patel, written by Vijay Tendulkar based on two novels by […]
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Cineflections-37 Salaam Bombay! – Hindi 1988 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “We are a country that prides itself on power and wealth, yet there are millions of children who go hungry every day. It is our responsibility, not only as a nation, but also as individuals, to get involved. So, next time you pass someone on the street […]
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Cineflections-36 RRR (రౌద్రం, రణం, రుధిరం /Raise, Roar, Revolt) – Telugu 2022 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Distorted history boasts of bellicose glory… and seduces the souls of boys to seek mystical bliss in bloodshed and in battles. – Alfred Alder. RRR is a film directed by S.S. Rajamouli and […]
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Cineflections-35 Prayanam (The Voyage) – 1975 Malayalam -Manjula Jonnalagadda “I remember one desolate Sunday night, wondering: Is this how I’m going to spend the rest of my life? Married to someone who is perpetually distracted and somewhat wistful, as though a marvelous party is going on in the next room, which but for me he […]
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Cineflections-34 Katha – 1983 Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Being a nice person is about courtesy: you’re friendly, polite, agreeable, and accommodating. When people believe they have to be nice in order to give, they fail to set boundaries, rarely say no, and become pushovers, letting others walk all over them.” – Adam Grant Katha is a […]
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Cineflections-33 36 Chowranghee Lane – 1981, English -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Let me tell you this: if you meet a loner, no matter what they tell you, it’s not because they enjoy solitude. It’s because they have tried to blend into the world before, and people continue to disappoint them.” ― Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper 36 […]
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Cineflections-32 Nishabd – Hindi, 2007 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “There is no anti-aging more potent than a young lover bursting with lust for your middle age vulnerability who pulls you out of rut with her arduous banter and make you whole again with her benevolent smirk” ― Nalini Priyadarshni Nishabd is a 2007 film directed by Ram […]
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Cineflections-31 Ankuram – Telugu, 1992 -Manjula Jonnalagadda First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not […]
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Cineflections-30 Atithi – (The Guest) 1965, Bengali -Manjula Jonnalagadda “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” ― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre Atithi is a film made by Tapan Sinha based on the short story The Guest penned by Rabindranath Tagore. This film was […]
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Cineflections-29 Kushboo – (Fragrance) 1975, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “एक छोड़ी हुई लड़कीको वापस लेले इससे बड़ा मान क्या मिलेगा उसे?” – बृन्दावन की माँ “मैं रस्ते में बैठी हुई हु? जब कहे छोड़ दिया जब चाहे लगाए, मेरी मर्ज़ी कुछ नहीं?” – कुसुम “A disowned woman is asked to come back, what is more respectful […]
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Cineflections-28 Thampu – (The Tent) Malayalam, 1978 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “The circus comes as close to being the world in microcosm as anything I know; in a way, it puts all the rest of show business in the shade.” – E.B. White Thampu is a fllm made G. Aravindan. He also wrote the screenplay for this […]
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Cineflections-27 Shantata! Court Chalu Aahe – (Silence! The Court Is In Session) – 1971, Marathi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Women’s liberty”, “women’s independence” are words on everybody’s lips these days, but they stay on the lips and don’t go any further. Do you know why? I’ve found out that liberty can be obtained neither by theoretical arguments, […]
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Cineflections-26 Show – 2002, Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda “All the world’s a stage and all men and women are merely players” – William Shakespeare in As You Like It. Show is a film made by Neelakanta. The film won the National Award For The Best Telugu Film and the National Award For The Best Screenplay. It […]
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Cineflections-25 Amma Ariyan (Report to Mother) -1986, Malayalam -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.” – Aldous Huxley Amma Ariyan is a film made John Abraham. This film is ranked 9th in the BFI’s Top 10 film list. It also won the National Award in the Special Jury […]
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Cineflections-24 Madhumati – 1958, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda Dilip Kumar was one of the most influential actors of the Hindi film industry. His acting style influenced later super stars like Amitabh Bachan and Shahrukh Khan. He passed away on July 7th, 2021. Madhumati is a film made by Bimal Roy and written by Ritwik Ghatak. The […]
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Cineflections-23 Anaahat (Eternity) – 2003, Marathi -Manjula Jonnalagadda Niyoga is an ancient process though which women could have children when they could not have children through their husbands. In this process the women could have sex with a chosen one and have a child. That child would be considered the child of the woman and […]
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Cineflections-22 Chauthi Koot (The Fourth Corner) – 2015, Punjabi -Manjula Jonnalagadda “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” ― Mahatma Gandhi Chauthi Koot is a film made by Gurvinder Singh, based on two short stories by Waryam Singh Sandhu. The film premiered at the Cannes film festival in 2015 where […]
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Cineflections-21 Junoon – (The Obsession) 1978, Hindi -Manjula Jonnalagadda The 1857 rebellion against India also known as the first war of independence had ended the reign of East India Company and started the reign of Queen Victoria as the empress of India. Junoon is a film directed by Shyam Benegal based on a novella called […]
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Cineflections-20 Daasi – Telugu, 1988 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Women are frequently treated as property, they are sold into marriage, into trafficking, into sexual slavery. Violence against women frequently takes the form of sexual violence.” – Navi Pillay Daasi is a film made by B. Narsing Rao and written by B. Narsing Rao and K.N.T. Sastry. The […]
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Cineflections-19 Visaaranai (Interrogation) – Tamil 2015 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Between 2011 and 2019 there were about 860 recorded deaths at the police stations in India. In all likelihood they are underreported. Zero police officials got convicted for these deaths. Visaaranai is a film made by the director Vetrimaran based on the novel Lock Up by M. […]
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Cineflections-18 Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro – Hindi (1983) -Manjula Jonnalagadda “Corruption and hypocrisy ought not to be inevitable products of democracy, as they undoubtedly are today.” – Mahatma Gandhi Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro is a film directed by Kundun Shah. He also co-wrote the script with Sudhir Mishra. The film released in 1983. Kundun Shah […]
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Cineflections-17 Grahanam (The Eclipse) – 2004, Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda Unless you believe in some principles to be true, there can be no peace. The intellect of all those who say “this is all we know, this is what there is” is weak and fatigued. Perhaps there is another explanation, another truth, perhaps we don’t know […]
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Cineflections-16 Charulata – Bengali,1964 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Soumitra Chatterjee collaborated with Satyajit Ray on 14 films. They were like Marcello Mastroianni and Federico Fellini, Toshiro Mifune and Akira Kurosawa, and Tony Leung and Wong Kar-Wai. Charulatha is a film directed by Satyajit Ray based on a novella called Nastanirh (Broken Nest) by Rabindranath Tagore. It premiered […]
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Cineflections-15 Kharij – Bengali, 1982 -Manjula Jonnalagadda According to the 2011 census there are 10.1 million child laborers working in India. There are laws against child labor, but they are rarely enforced. Kharij is a film directed by Mrinal Sen based on a novel by Ramapada Chowdhury. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival […]
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Cineflections-14 Ghatashraddha – Kannada 1977 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Widows in India didn’t remarry until a few decades ago. Young widows mostly spent time at their parents’ home mostly doing household chores. Ghatashraddha is a film made by Girish Kasaravalli based on a novella by U.R. Ananthamurthy. The script and dialogue were penned by K.V. Subbanna who […]
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Cineflections-13 Mirch Masala – Hindi, 1987 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Sexual violence is common throughout the history of humans. It is often used to subjugate women. Mirch Masala is a film made by Ketan Mehta. It was nominated for the best picture at the Moscow Film Festival in 1987. It won the National Award for the best […]
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Cineflections-12 Vanaja – Telugu, 2007 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Vanaja means the one born in a forest, untamed and pure! It is also another name of Parvathi, the goddess of strength. Vanaja was a film directed by Rajnesh Domalpalli. It played at a lot of film festivals including the Toronto and Berlin Film Festivals. It won 26 […]
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Cineflections-11 Ashani Sanket (Distant Thunder) – Bengali 1973 -Manjula Jonnalagadda 2.5 to 3 million (5% of the population) died in the great famine of Bengal due to starvation in one of the worst man-made disaster of 20th century. Ashani Sanket was a film directed by Satyajit Ray based on the novel written by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. […]
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Cineflections-10 Cineflections: Gaman -The Journey (Hindi, 1979) -Manjula Jonnalagadda It is estimated that there are 139 million migrant workers are in India. They mostly migrate to cities like Delhi & Mumbai from northern Indian states. This film is slightly different from my other films. This film has not played at any film festivals. I thought […]
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Cineflections-9 Vanaprastham – Last Dance (Malayalam, 1999) -Manjula Jonnalagadda Kathakali is a traditional form of dance. Katha means story through kali comes from kala or keli which loosely translates to performance. It uses heavy makeup, masks and facial expressions to tell stories usually from Indian mythology. It is physically very intense art form. Vaanaprastham literally […]
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Cineflections-8 Arth Satya – Half Truth (Hindi, 1983) -Manjula Jonnalagadda “चक्रव्यूह में घुसने से पहले कौन था मै और कैसा था ये मुझे याद ही ना रहेगा चक्रव्यूह में घुसने के बाद मेरे और चक्रव्यूह के बीच सिर्फ़ एक जानलेवा निकटता थी इसका मुझे पता ही ना चलेगा चक्रव्यूह से निकलने के बाद मै मुक्त […]
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Cineflections-7 Maa Bhoomi (Our Land), Telugu 1979 -Manjula Jonnalagadda “For each new class which puts itself in the place of one ruling before it, is compelled, merely in order to carry through its aim, to represent its interest as the common interest of all the members of society, that is, expressed in ideal form: it […]
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Cineflections: Ajantrik (The Pathetic Fallacy) Bengali, 1958 -Manjula Jonnalagadda We all have things that are beyond their prime. They may be torn, spoilt, or broken. But we cannot get rid of them. This month’s film is Ajantrik, which means The Unmechanical. This film was directed by Ritwik Ghatak based on a short story by Subodh […]
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Cineflections: Nizhalkuthu (Shadow Kill), Malayalam. 2002 -Manjula Jonnalagadda Capital punishment in India is rare. It is mostly awarded in high profile cases. In India capital punishment is death by hanging. As a custom the person who is pulling the lever, recites an oath saying, “I have nothing against you, it is not personal, I am […]
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Cineflections: Sthree (Woman), Telugu -Manjula Jonnalagadda “That night was filled by immeasurable softness and enormous femininity. In that hug I fondly remembered the tragic stories; the stories of feminine nature that soothed and nurtured men.” – Narrator in Padava Prayanam (Boat Journey) by Palagummi Padmaraju. “చెప్పలేనంత మృదుత్వం, విశాలమయిన స్త్రీతత్వం ఆ రాత్రిలో నిండుగా ఆవరించుకుని వుంది. ఆ […]
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Cineflections: Uski Roti (His Bread/A Day’s Bread) -Manjula Jonnalagadda For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith, But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting. – T.S. Eliot This film is Mani Kaul’s first feature. It is based on a short story by Mohan […]
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Cineflections: Nimajjanam (Immersion) -Manjula Jonnalagadda Language: Telugu Year: 1979 Hindus believe Ganga washes away their sins. If a person’s ashes are immersed in the river Ganga, that person will be relieved form the cycle of birth and death. If a person dies in Varanasi, they attain salvation. There are several people who go there just […]
Continue ReadingCineflections –Manjula Jonnalagadda “Art is a manifestation of emotion, and emotion speaks a language that all may understand” – Somerset Maugham in Moon & Six Pence Good cinema is a work of art that takes you on an emotional journey no matter what language it is in. It can amuse you, and/or make you […]
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