Cinema has no language bar. Cinema itself started without sound, without any specific language in the beginning era of mute films. Stories have no specific boundaries. We have seen many stories of the same theme existing in different regions of the world, in different narratives, but with the same soul.
In the search for meaningful, heart-touching stories and movies, I keep digging the vast ocean of movies. And in this quest, I do not bar myself with country, region, or language.
While I find the innocently rough life stories in Iranian cinema, I also find deep touching love stories in Russian, Korean, and Japanese films.
Whatever the different colors of these vivid biosopes I find, I admire and share with cinema lovers like all my readers.
I watched the movie Dia last week, and while writing my views on that cinematic excellence piece, I remembered other similar Kannada language films worth mentioning here. This is a small list which I was fortunate enough to get time and chance to see. There are many more gems hidden beneath and will continuously adhere to my journey of search.
1) Gantumoote
I saw this movie before I saw and wrote my review on the movie Dia in my last article. While I saw the sadistic, defeated approach and then new hope in the pain of love described in Dia, I reminded myself what a strong message has been given to handle the pain of love in Gantumoote. We all carry some burden or baggage of the past, of pain, of loss on our souls. Some get tired and defeated, but some carry it as a gift of pain.
Gantumoote presents the story of a teenage girl in her school days, her love affection, and her dedication (Samarpan) towards her love. Through the developing story, we see how the character puts her soul into her love, and she takes separation in love not as pain, but as strength. Because love is strength and not pain in its real soul meaning. Watch this beyond-Bollywood gem to feel the real magic of love, dedication, and carrying the pain of love as strength and not as a burden.
2) Dia
Another girl's love-oriented film, for which I have expressed my views in the i-review section. Watch this piece to experience the feeling of true friendship, love, and the pain of love.
I recommend watching the original to get the soulful feeling of the theme. A remake of the movie is also being thought of.
This is now available on Amazon Prime Video.
3) Lucia
I always admire this movie as a masterpiece on par with Hollywood's Inception. The concept presented in the movie was quite new and unique for Indian regional cinema, but the director handled the concept and demands of cinematography like a master. The thin line between imagination and reality sometimes becomes too hazy to identify if reality is actually an imagination or imagination is actually reality. The use of black-and-white and color frames between the two concepts has been beautifully presented.
There have been remakes of this film in Tamil and Telugu, and I have seen those too, but the authenticity and feel I get watching it in the original Kannada language, I do not get in others.
After watching this Kannada masterpiece, I am eagerly waiting for the director's next masterpiece.
4) Ulidavaru Kandanthe
I watched this movie quite a long time ago, and am including it in this article today because many of its scenes are still fresh in my mind. The brilliant way of narrating a story from different perspectives is admirable. It also reminds me of the Hollywood movie named I'm Not There.
Cinematography is the key to this movie, supporting the engaging narration all the way. Watch this Kannada movie to taste real talent in creating great films through storytelling.
5) KGF Chapter-1
Along with its renowned experimental cinema, Kannada movies are also presenting a unique impression in action and larger-than-life films. The recently released KGF Chapter-1 has set up new hope and expectations from Sandalwood for high-production-value movies.
And I am sure it has the talent to produce much more than expected. KGF Chapter-1 is an action-packed epic tale of courage and the struggle for rights and power.
Spine-chilling cinematography has the capability to keep you glued to your sofa and enjoy cinema on a scale larger than life.
6) Thithi
This is what we call raw cinema. It requires much more talent to show a story in its actual form, in an actual scenario, with characters who are local villagers acting as themselves without actors or a staged backdrop. Without any polishing or beautification agents, you have to be patient with such masterpieces to allow them to develop and spread their magic on your heart and soul.
The generational gap and the relations between generations set against a village backdrop with actual villagers cast in the movie are the key things to watch in this masterpiece.
7) U Turn
I have already written my reviews on this when I saw it a few years back and included it in the Review section of this website.
It's a genuinely intense and serious way of spreading awareness about road safety, serving as a dark message to those who break traffic rules.
After watching director Pawan Kumar’s masterpiece Lucia, I was eagerly waiting for and following his next venture, C10H14N2. Along the way, I came across this movie, U Turn.
Though I did not hear much about it in comparison to Lucia, I had to watch it because I felt somewhere deep in my mind that it wouldn't be a simple movie, coming from such a talented director.
Other Kannada movies that I watched and liked in one way or another include 24 and Rangitaranga.
As I narrated, there are many more to be found and watched, and I will add them up as I progress in my search within this deep ocean.
Till then, keep searching, keep finding, without language, religion, and country boundaries for cinema.
From,
Samarpan