Agli Baar (2015)

This year, I have been fortunate to watch more documentaries and films out of the mainstream genre, and here’s one. The short film “Agli Baar” was meant to be an Independence Day release, and it is an online release.

The short film is loosely based on the famous poem “First they came…” by Martin Niemoller. The poem goes,

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 speak out - 

Because I was not a Jew. 

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.

The short film is set in the context of slum demolitions and addresses religious violence as well. It is provocative, and can make for a great in-person discussion. All of 7 minutes, do watch it.

  

Inside Out (2015)

My colleague recommended this movie to me, and I convinced the sibling to come along to watch it. I have got so used to watching movies on my own now that watching one with company feels increasingly unusual.

Bringing psychology live on the big screen and doing a great job of it isn’t easy. Great books that deal with complex ideas get lost in translation. Experiences that overwhelm in real life don’t come across as convincing. Yet, some movies manage to bridge the gap. Inside Out is one of them.

Set in the world of an 11-year-old girl, Riley, the movie deals with the basic emotions – Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear, and how they affect her. Watch the movie to see how they interplay, how the concept of core memories is shown and how core memories can get affected repeatedly. Watch also how each emotion is given importance, particularly relevant in a world that’s obsessed about finding happiness in everything.

I later took a quiz, and was assessed as ‘Joy’. Not entirely surprising, since I do manage to pick myself up and remain optimistic. Yet, the moments of disgust and anger that I experience also shape me and I am thankful for them.

This is the official trailer. I expect the movie to pick up an Oscar in the first quarter of 2016.