Beautiful Film Week - Day 1

Abby has suggested a Beautiful Film Week so I thought I would join in. I will probably interpret "beautiful" in my own way, but assume that's okay. I will post some that I found visually beautiful, as well as those that just moved me, and I found the story beautiful.

My first movie is one I watched a couple of nights ago, The Namesake which was directed by Mira Nair and based on a book written by Jhumpa Lahiri which I have read (I also read her collection of short stories, both were wonderful). I would say it falls in both categories of beautiful - visually and a very sweet story. In short, the book deals with a couple who come to the United States from India and raise their children here. The children, who grow up Americanized, at first seem to turn away from their culture then rediscover it. It is an interesting subject to me, my husband is from the Philippines and I see that dynamic some in their family. As a caucasian who has married into that culture, it has been a learning experience for me and a refreshing change to be the lone white face in a crowd at a party.

My favorite line from the movie is when an old man says to the father on a train "Pack your pillow and blanket, see the world, you won't regret it" I love to travel and think it is so important to travel as much as you are able. It is my hope, especially since it seems B will be our only child, that we show him the world. I want him to experience, and appreciate, other cultures around the world. For me, being raised first in Canada then in the US it was such an eye opening experience to travel to the Philippines for the first time. Unless you see poverty like that with your own eyes, I don't think anyone can ever truly understand it.

But I digress, though you can see what the movie brought up for me. Another favorite was that in the DVD menu of The Namesake there was a segment where the director, Mira Nair, illustrated how art affects her cinematography. She showed the still photography, by various artists, then the scene from the film that it inspired. I loved seeing that creative process as it relates to film making.

Hope you enjoy the film. I would love to hear some of your favorites.

Comments

[kirsten]

sounds wonderful. adding it to my list right now!

[abby]

This sounds like a great film. I like that even the dvd menu is cool. Thanks for playing along!

[Sarahsarah]

I just received it from Netflix yesterday. I wanted to watch it right away but waiting for my husband and I to have some time together to watch it. I can't wait!