Movie review on Midnight's Children and Reluctant Fundamentalist.

As part of discussion of post colonialism, we  have to give the review of two movies. The  first ‘Midnight Children’ directed by Deepa Mehta and ‘Reluctant Fundamentalist’ by Mira Nair. My views are as below:

First briefly we should  clear what  is Post-colonialism? Post colonial study is a theoretical structure which gives new perspective to look towards the things and rejects the dominant western way of seeing things. Means….We may say that post- colonialism  rejects the superiority of Western Culture. Post colonial studies about constructing the mind. Colonialism is all about power and language. The most important aspect is "identity crisis” –Where to belong?

Midnight's Children:

                         

                               

     

‘Midnight's Children’ is written by Salman Rushdie and directed by Deepa Mehta. Deepa Mehta deals with historical event – Partition of India in movie . Though it is a historical fact it is historical fiction. It seems like that it is allegorical way of unfolding the events in the film. Many children born during the partition of India. The same way two Nation also born  at the time. The protagonist Saleem Sinai tells the story of  the past.  we find three generations . Plot of the story seems rather dull because sometime  chronological orders are not there.  

Children who born at that night have some power . Saleem  Sinai has extremely  strange power of smelling. Rushdie uses the magic realism in the novel. The same way, Deepa Mehta tries to use magic aspect in the film also but I think it has nothing  powerful  impression on audiences through which she describe something.  In India we find Unity in Diversity and the same way many children who born they have their different  cultures, languages, religious , and so many things but the threads of the power or the Magical technique    or some  mystical bond connect them together. So, we may say that children are different and have their unique style. 

The partition of India is very painful. Numerous migration we find in movie. The first it take place in Pakistan , Mumbai and Bangladesh are there. There is concept of Hindu – Muslim, Poor – rich. In film, we find one scene which takes place into hospital and Nurse changes the baby saying that……

                             “ Poor to rich and rich to poor” 

–   that gives us emotional  attachment and can understand also that now, lives are changed . And I think it is unforgettable part of the movie.  The poor becomes rich – Saleem Sinai and the rich becomes poor – Shiva. Deepa Mehta uses the dramatic monologue and straight forward style in movie. Little magic is also reflected with Parvati’s  hocus – pocus –“Abracadabra”.  Pakistan and Bangladeshi’s history interpreted through Saleem’s point of view.  During the partition everything is scattered and saleem says that....." I have many families and no family."   What is the purpose of so many deaths?  Human being is only human being not poor and rich or Hindu and Muslim?  People suffer a lot. Through time everything is changed . The respectable positions of both main characters Shiva and Saleem are changed through the time. The one who has power from the birth is now powerless and become sufferer and one who has not power from the birth right is become so powerful . So, everything is changed now. Political concern is more important in this movie because everything is related to it. What is the purpose of that emergency? Is it natural or created ?  Through the war can we get the peace?  who are responsible for the war? so, many questions are there but... I think  such kinds of events happen only because we are not believe in 'Humanity' first. We all are human being first than anything else. No doubt, some scenes are painful and sometime we laugh . But Political concern is more important in this film. As per psychology , everyone is ready to be  colonizer because when someone gets the power , he behaves with same behavior as colonizer does. And this also happen in the film also. When Shiva gets the power through Army , he treats Saleem very badly.but at some how he is fortunate and able to come out from that place.

Reluctant Fundamentalist:

                                   

                 

Reluctant Fundamentalist – novel by Pakistani author Mohsin Hamid and directed by Mira Nair. In our mind we have great imagination of America. But in this movie we find that myth is broken down and have to see with new perspective. Here, we find the Myth - America stands for equal opportunity, which is totally wrong.  Globalization is myth which spreads the values, power and dominant class hegemony. The notion of the nation is wrong. Idea of equality is broken down. Frame narrative technique also use with story within story. Film is political thriller drama. Mira Nair uses the flashback system to unfold the whole events in the film.
Really, worth watching movie. The plot of the movie interesting.  American inter journalist Bobby takes the interview of Changez Khan –Islamic intellectual in small café  which gives local image of Pakistan. Bobby wants to know that is there any of connection of Changez in abduction of American professor ?
In film we clearly see that the  relation between east and west. We find power and Capitalism there.  With the post colonial aspect we may say that Changez has many identity. In both nation he has different identity.  As we all know that post colonialism is all about language, Changez uses their language. 

                      " I am both a native of this city and a speaker of your language."

Above sentence describe that he is different from the rest of native people. it is only illusion of the people that if they learn their language , they achieve their class but it is only the idea and it remains idea only for forever. Power of ruling class never allow 'The third World' people in their class.

Changez has great belief in American economy and capitalism. He has great  illusion in mind that each place is free for everyone in America. He works for American companies but... Suddenly after 9/11 - all things are changed for him. How American look towards him? The historical event - 9/11  attack of Afghanistan on The World tread Center in America reflects the reality. Being Pakistani Changez is suspected as terrorist.

Does he only suspect as terrorist because of his religion - Islam?  After attack on Tower he is not the part of that community. And only that event is able to show him reality of 'The First World'. Changez can't stand for east and west. Is it way of thinking Americans? Why they don't think 'Other' as human beings?   All those things are told by Changez to Bobby who takes his interview in cafe.

                "I was not certain where I belonged in New York, in Lahore , in both in neither."

Changez suffers a lot and he feels  the state of being different or other. He suffers from depression and his emotional feelings are not considered as important as Americans.

What is reason behind it? Why all American thinks same way? His lover Erica also changed her perspective towards him. He is stranger to others as well as himself   in America . Americans seem like colonizer as superior and each step or each level we find 'Other' as inferior and colonized.

                           "I feel to New York uncomfortable in my own face."

  Does fundamentals works properly ?  Fundamentals are more necessary than humanity ?

Somehow we find Principle are more important than humanity. For Changez America become the land of humiliation. In discussion of Edward Said's Orientalism we find that it is a 'geopolitical' aspect which is reflected in this movie.  Changez comes back to Lahore . Religion becomes more harmful . It kills human being. Now, facing reality Changez has hatred, disrespect to their behavior. After coming back , he says that don't go outside, not give to respect them.  struggle his Samir - the student loses his life and at the end of the movie Changez gives his last speech saying that it is the message of his father that......

" Samir ki maut ka koi intkam na lena,

Ab aur nahi kismat ko kosna

Bahut khun bah chuka hai,

Ab hum var nahi krenge!"

Above lines describe that humans are only humans first. They are not Hindu or Muslim but they have to maintain humanity first rather than their religion. Rules and fundamentals are made for humans but not necessary to follow strictly giving the cost of humanity.

So, as above discussion we may say that these two movies are the best example of postcolonial studies. One or another way , Main characters are oppressed by authority  in their situations.

Thank you.