== MORE ABOUT THE AM MOVIE ==
Namaskar,
I again saw the year-old AM pracar movie-- "Kiirtan Mahima"-- and would
like to share some thoughts and reflections.
USING THE MEASURING ROD OF AM-- NOT HOLLYWOOD ETC
Firstly, before getting going, may we all remember that our viewpoint on
any social topic or pracar endeavour etc should be according to the
standard of our AM ideology. Because we are Ananda Margiis, so our basis of
judgment is always according to Baba's divine teachings. He is our Polestar
& His philosophy is our measuring rod, not anything else.
So the pracar film-- Kiirtan Mahima'-- should NOT be measured in comparison
to the "usual norms" presented by today's cinema industry. That would not
have any sense or value.
Because we know Hollywood, Bollywood, & Cannes (France) represent the
unseemly ways of pseudo-culture. From fake smiles to outright materialism,
from the objectification of women to the height of superficiality, today's
film industry is riddled with the cheesy ways of crude pop-culture.
Needless to say, that is not our baseline or standard-- not at all.
Rather the neo-humanistic themes of AM stand as our measuring rod.
However, if anyone has become totally habituated & blind to the ways of
pseudo-culture-- such that they think everything on the silver screen is
prim and proper & 100% a-ok, then surely they will disagree with and
automatically object to any ideological film review. That much is sure.
Whereas those seeing through the rational vision of Ananda Marga philosophy
will certainly have something meaningful to add to this conversation--
indeed your thoughts will only enhance this discussion.
Baba says, "You have the measuring rod, the touch-stone, in your hands; you
can judge for yourselves." (NH-LOI: Disc 10)
OBSCENELY SEXUAL NATURE OF THE FILM
Secondly, I agree cent-per-cent with the earlier letter on this topic
("AM Movie: Still on the Silver Screen" posted 8/31) that details how the
so-called pracar film is laced with sexual overtones and sensual innuendos.
Tragically that is rampant from beginning to end. And I am sure in future,
others will write more on this most serious matter since our AM films
should be wholly devoid of such crude material. And given the highly
objectionable & pervasive use of sexual body movements in this so-called AM
pracar film, it may take "some more reminding" for our AM filmmakers to get
the point set in their minds. So let all margiis be encouraged to keep this
aspect of the dialogue active & alive.
PROJECTION OF SELF NOT THE PHILOSOPHY
Here in this letter the chief point revolves around the projection of one's
own image & self-glorification done by the actors and filmmakers etc. Or
more precisely, the Hollywood style of getting in front of the camera at
any cost.
Because for dedicated Ananda Margiis, the whole reason for making such a
film is for the propagation of AM ideals and AM teachings-- for projecting
the Divine, i.e. Baba.
Yet the entire way in which this new pracara movie was made undermines this
aim. Because throughout the movie, all the so-called actors & actresses
only strut around to show themselves-- not the values of AM. And by this
way all prama' is lost. The film loses all its integrity.
AN EXAMPLE OF THIS TYPE OF SELF-DISPLAY
Here is an example of but one of the innumerable times that all naturalness
utterly slips away from the movie due to the imposition of artificial
Hollywood type of acting.
At the 7min 46sec mark, our fake avadhuta embarks on a wispy soliloquy
where he walks away from the person he is talking to and just starts giving
one grand lecture out into the heavens. In that venture, he turns himself
100% towards the camera and starts heroically waving his arms and delivers
his grandiose speech, all the while moving closer and closer to the camera.
So this whole scene is totally ridiculous. Because in our Marga, nobody
behaves in such a silly, superficial, and foolish way. Rather we aim to
highlight Baba's image-- not our own.
But here the avadhuta is only involved in self-propagation-- it is quite
apparent by the whole tone of the scene.
And with regards to proper human communication, Baba specifically guides us
that we are to face towards the person with whom we are speaking. We may
look them in the eye or not depending, but never should one start walking
away from the person they are talking to and start giving such a
high-sounding theatrical sermon. This is not how one is to behave in AM.
Yet that is exactly what our fake avadhuta does in this very scene.
And this silly type of display, and others like it, makes the new "pracar"
movie-- Kiirtan Mahima'-- look like the makers are just chasing after
Hollywood, instead of trying to project AM ideals and represent Baba. That
is what the common public is bound to think. Because that is what they are
seeing on the screen. It is all plain as day.
Reason being the inept filmmakers & so-called stars are more interested in
showing off & highlighting their own faces than sincerely propagating the
message of AM. Thus in the wake of their self-centered dealing, Baba's
eternal teachings are nothing but an afterthought at best.
Baba says, "They...ultimately ended up projecting themselves instead of the
ideology. Thus, the ideology became secondary and was ultimately swept
away." (PNS-21)
And really, this does not happen just once, but the whole, entire AM movie
is stained with this type of false display & cheap acting. Where the actors
& actresses just revert into the self-glorified ways of Hollywood etc. And
this just makes it look like we do not give a hoot about our philosophy,
all because those stars are just using this film as an opportunity to
glorify themselves.
WARNING
Once again, if anyone reading this letter is some kind of Hollywood DVD
addict or a drunken victim of pseudo-culture etc, then they may say, 'What
is wrong-- this is the way films are made, our new pracar movie is
wonderful' etc. But anyone who is a true sadhaka and mentally involved with
AM ideology will surely understand how this film lost its prama' and just
got sunk in fake and superficial displays. Indeed this feeling will
automatically come into their heart.
HIGH STANDARD OF MANY DOCUMENTARY FILMS
At the same time none should think that it is impossible to make a truly
good film.
Rather, there are any number of high-quality, well-made films in the
general society made by public broadcasting systems or various educational
societies etc. And once in a blue moon even the-powers-that-be in Hollywood
can make a halfway meaningful film. And the mark of all such films,
particularly documentaries, is that the message put forth is not sacrificed
or undermined or overshadowed by the cheap desire of the actors to display
themselves. Rather with a pointed effort the vibration of their message
shines forth at every turn. In that case, the film has some value and
achieves its goal.
So from the beginning there was ample scope for the new AM pracar movie to
be a grand success. It could have been done in a high-minded, sentient way.
It could have really been great. It is not that all movies are
automatically garbage. Rather Baba wants that we should make sentient films
that carry the spirited message of AM. And we had such an opportunity here
and still do the next time around.
Unfortunately, the new pracar movie fails miserably. Because the filmmakers
and stars are just trying to soak their faces in front of the camera. And
in the superficial rush for fame, the message of AM is lost.
ANOTHER SCENE
Towards the end of the film, at the 40-minute mark, there begins a several
minute span where the film reaches its climax. But throughout this section
also, the chosen stars-- the glitzy father and the sensual mother-- are
just hooked on putting themselves in lights. No one can think that they are
doing their job properly. Just they are trying to highlight their image on
the silver screen. Because the scene is supposed to be serious and then
deeply devotional etc, but instead it is just an embarrassment. Because the
stars just marvel at themselves in front of the camera. That is their only
dream. And the whole movie sputters in this way. Filled with fake smiles
and rosy cheeks that betray any deeper meaning.
HOWEVER IT MUST BE SAID THAT...
However, it must be said that the police chief has done an admirable job in
this film. He remains pointed in his role and one can believe his
character. Because he aims to do justice to the message of the movie rather
than highlight his own image. Anyone who watches the film will pick up on
this immediately. So it is not that everyone in the film is garbage. The
police chief is playing out his role well-- though everyone else gives an
awful performance, especially the fake avadhuta and the sexy heroine. Their
acting just gives off a stench of superficiality. Whereas the police chief
does an admirable job given the circumstances.
SO MANY OTHER FALSE ASPECTS OF THE FILM
Leaving aside the acting momentarily, it has to be said that the film
totally fails to convey an iota of truth about AM ideology. Two of the more
far-fetched attempts are (#1) the very wrong way kiirtan is explained and
(#2) the way in which the lead actors are just like dogmatic religious
worshippers.
(#1) The film states that without kiirtan Parama Purusa becomes just stuck
in the heavens and is unable to come close to His devotees. This is the
essence of what the film states. But that is utterly nonsense. Because
Parama Purusa resides eternally in our hearts and by kiirtan devotees are
able to realise this divine truth. It is not that without kiirtan Parama
Purusa is stuck with bag and baggage in some remote corner of the universe.
After all, He is Parama Purusa and He can do anything and everything. It is
not that He is a victim of His own creation and stuck in some far away land
if kiirtan is not sung. But this is the false idea that the new AM movie
projects.
(#2) Secondly, at the 42'36'' mark of the film, when the glitzy father and
sensual mother begin praying to Baba, they engage in a totally dogmatic
display of using external paraphernalia to communicate with Baba. They walk
around and wail and cross their hands etc as if they are dogmatic Hindus
and Christians. As if ours is some ritualistic approach. When really as
sadhakas we see and feel Baba within, not in some crude external way. But
that is what the film portrays.
Really more should be written about both these points. Suffice to say here
that on the ideological plane, the film is a ZERO. Rather it is harmful as
it projects harmful and dogmatic teachings which will sit in the minds of
the viewers. So this will all need to be corrected-- fast. Otherwise these
dogmatic displays will permanently stain the society.
FAKE AVADHUTA & CULMINATING SCENE OF SELF-DISPLAY
Perhaps the scene that says it all with regards to self-glorification comes
at the 08'39" mark. The fake avadhuta is bragging about his greatness and
how he will change the world and then the sexy heroine wishes the fake
avadhuta success and the fake avadhuta replies, "Thank you".
He does not say, "Baba's grace, or with the grace of Baba, or Guru's
grace." Just he says, "Thank you". As if he is deserving of thanks and the
compliment.
Such is the superficial type of dialogue that happens throughout the film.
Because if truth be known, in real life the ideal of our avadhutas really
is something great. Because they are ready to do each and everything for
Baba and they realise that actually Baba's blessing is what allows them to
serve Him.
Baba says, "...Remember also that the credit of service is not yours; it is
due to the Supreme and the Supreme alone, whose ideation has inspired you
to acquire the capability of rendering service." (A'nanda Va'nii #23)
But in the new AM movie, our fake avadhuta totally forgets this divine
truth and when praised for his so-called greatness & wished success in his
mission, then he admiringly smiles and says, "Thank you".
Such is the type of self-glorification that goes on and on throughout the
film. That is why the new AM movie fails to carry even an iota of AM
beliefs and practices.
SUMMARY
Hence in countless avenues, this new AM movie-- "Kiirtan Mahima"-- is a
total bomb. Really I do not know what else to call it. It is superficial
characterization of life in AM that puts forth dogmatic notions and is full
of blunders from beginning to end. It is an embarrassment to what our Marga
really is and will be.
At the same time, with proper effort and zeal we should view this as a way
to move ahead and create a truly sentient film that really does capture the
spirit and dynamism of our Marga. Because our pracara should make maximum
use of today's modern media.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace in the near future we really will create a top-notch film
that nicely propagates AM ideals to the people and highlights Baba's divine
glory.
Baba says, "Giving experienced and competent directors the opportunity and
the complete freedom to make benevolent cinema does not yield bad results.
Rather it can spread joy and education simultaneously." (PNS-10)
Namaskar,
Cinmay
Note 1: MORE IDEOLOGICAL MISTAKES IN THE FILM
In addition to the above noted points about the wrong explanation of
Kiirtan and the dogmatic display of worship, here are some of the other
ideological blunders which occur in this film:
> There are a whole slew of dogmas that are unleashed throughout
> this new AM film. Such as:
>
> (a) Wrong way of doing Guru Sakash;
> (b) Improper namaskar and incorrect explanation;
> (c) Mispronunciation of Guru Puja;
> (d) Wrong selection of song for Paincajanya which goes
> against the sanctity of Ista;
> (e) Misleading & dogmatic idea of how Baba's grace
works;
> (f) And there are so many other ideological errors.
> So these are all things to watch for. Because really this film should be
> set aside in the dustbin and all such errors should never repeated again as
> they give a false and improper teaching of AM ideas and values. That is
> what many are telling about the film.
Note 2: A WARNING TO EGOTISTICAL FILMMAKERS
Here it should be noted that Baba gives free reign to one and all to
evaluate all works of art-- including our AM pracar movies.
Baba says, "All have the right to criticize artists or their art: the
artists who do not like criticism have no future." (PNS-10)
Indeed, by paying heed to constructive criticism is how art is improved. We
should all learn from Baba's teaching.
***************************************
Three Dangers
Baba says, "We may say that intoxicants have three distinct
characteristics. Firstly, if one addict does not receive that intoxicant at
their regular, fixed time during the day then they will become anxious and
restless-- even agitated. In addition, when they do get it then their mind
will not like to involve in any work. The second major point is that as
long as one remains under the spell of that intoxicant, his intellect will
be dysfunctional. And if one continues to take intoxicants on a regular,
on-going basis, then their mental stupor will continue on and on. The third
major danger is that intoxicants adversely affect the liver, throat, and
kidney. And in the majority of cases, the user suffers from constipation
also. In conclusion, all intoxicants are bad; opium and ganja (cannabis
indica) extremely harmful." (SC-15)
Note: As A'nanda Ma'rgiis, our duty is to propagate Baba's above teaching
and warn others about the harmful effects of intoxicants. ***************************************
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