I saw the film Saturday, it's really good, I highly recommend it. One thing I'll mention to those who may see it (not a spoiler!): it may seem confusing or gratuitous that the film looks into the private lives of the people who work in the legal system, while barely doing so at the life of the protagonist, but I interpreted this as an attempt to give us a sense of the kinds of people who control things on the ground. Implied, a bit vaguely yet sinisterly, are higher powers that are invisibly pushing the buttons for political reasons. Also, Holden doesn't mention two unforgettable scenes: a popular play that promotes xenophobia and prejudice, and a shot of the lawyer driving witnesses home in his nice car to a horrific slum. We can't do much to help Indians with these enormous social problems, but I'm excited this filmmaker is educating the world about it.
2
"The lack of evidence doesn’t prevent the trial from dragging on for weeks, many of them spent going over laws that date to the 19th century."
The Indian legal system is a throwback to Victorian times. Its madness is best captured in works of fiction like this movie and Dickens' "Bleak House".
The English changed their legal system early in the 20th century and, being colonial masters of India at that time, could have done so in India too. However, they left India's Victorian era system unchanged. It was well suited to running a colony and was retained by India's Brown Sahibs when they, in turn, came to power in 1947.
The only people the law serves well in India are lawyers, for they can drag the simplest matters out for years, even decades. For everyone else, the law is a nightmare.
The Indian legal system is a throwback to Victorian times. Its madness is best captured in works of fiction like this movie and Dickens' "Bleak House".
The English changed their legal system early in the 20th century and, being colonial masters of India at that time, could have done so in India too. However, they left India's Victorian era system unchanged. It was well suited to running a colony and was retained by India's Brown Sahibs when they, in turn, came to power in 1947.
The only people the law serves well in India are lawyers, for they can drag the simplest matters out for years, even decades. For everyone else, the law is a nightmare.
5
It's plenty real, believe me: I have seen firsthand sanitation workers and courts in Bombay and Poona and I follow the dialogues in the original Marathi.
2
I lived in India, among Indians, for six months a couple of years ago, and assiduously read the English-language news media. Every single line of the film's description rings true to life. I can't wait to see it.
3
As someone who emigrated to the US from India, I can say that while fiction the film appears to follow reality very closely.
This review brought back a vivid memory that resurfaces occasionally. Early in my career, I was returning home in one of Bombay's trains. I used to splurge for the first class fare as these coaches - while overcrowded - were marginally better than other coaches.
It was crowded as usual that evening, but I sensed some open space further down the car and I pushed toward it. In the middle of this space was a small wizened man fully coated with sewage, squatting on the floor. I recall a sense of sympathy among the other commuters. They just let him be instead of bullying him to stand or questioning his right to board the first class carriage.
Growing up in India, one does see varying amounts of despair and poverty.
But for me this image of this man reeking of sewage, bone tired and too tired to stand evokes everything that is wrong with India's governance.
The singular failing of Indian governance has been its inability to provide a chance for dignified living for its poorest. Even today men and children descend rancid sewers without a stitch of protective clothing. Firemen rarely are equipped with the kit we see in the US etc.
When my friends evoke nostalgia and some even move back to India, that image of the sewage clad man just reaffirms my decision to remain and realize how lucky I am to be here in the US.
This review brought back a vivid memory that resurfaces occasionally. Early in my career, I was returning home in one of Bombay's trains. I used to splurge for the first class fare as these coaches - while overcrowded - were marginally better than other coaches.
It was crowded as usual that evening, but I sensed some open space further down the car and I pushed toward it. In the middle of this space was a small wizened man fully coated with sewage, squatting on the floor. I recall a sense of sympathy among the other commuters. They just let him be instead of bullying him to stand or questioning his right to board the first class carriage.
Growing up in India, one does see varying amounts of despair and poverty.
But for me this image of this man reeking of sewage, bone tired and too tired to stand evokes everything that is wrong with India's governance.
The singular failing of Indian governance has been its inability to provide a chance for dignified living for its poorest. Even today men and children descend rancid sewers without a stitch of protective clothing. Firemen rarely are equipped with the kit we see in the US etc.
When my friends evoke nostalgia and some even move back to India, that image of the sewage clad man just reaffirms my decision to remain and realize how lucky I am to be here in the US.
6
Um, hello? This movie is fiction. What exactly is the point, since we viewers, especially those of us with no direct experience of this system, have no way of determining how closely it reflects reality? This subject cries out for a documentary. (And, despite one sentence noting that the movie is fiction, the review very misleadingly reads as if it is indeed a documentary. The headline calls it an "unsparing look at justice in India." Well, maybe. But there is no way to tell from this made-up film.)
1
No different that Lincoln or The Butler or dozens of other films that are fictionalized depictions of facts. What's your beef?
3
I don't understand. Are you saying fiction can't reflect reality, and that only a documentary can? I'd have to disagree. We can learn from fiction, too. (And while I'm sure a documentary on this subject would have the potential to be interesting and illuminating, would you be more certain that it reflects the reality of the Indian legal system? Or would it simply reflect one particular case, in one particular place, at one particular time?)
Also: I disagree that the review is misleading about the fact that this is not a documentary. The second sentence of the review tells you the name of an actor who's playing a character. And as you noted, the review explicitly says that the movie is fictional.
Also: I disagree that the review is misleading about the fact that this is not a documentary. The second sentence of the review tells you the name of an actor who's playing a character. And as you noted, the review explicitly says that the movie is fictional.
5
Where can we purchase a DVD to watch this movie?
1
It's just receiving a theatrical release. Support it by going to see it in a theater if it comes to your area. Otherwise, be patient.
1
As someone who lived in India for a year (1977-78) and seriously follows the news about injustice in the American court system, I can't wait to see this film. I hope it gets to Boston soon.
3