Nicky's family

We live in a sad time when money speaks and brains are being deadened by relentless onslaught to thoroughly stultifying content. The less IQ you have (or the more cleavage you are willing to show) the more 'successful' you might be!(and rich, too!). There is an almost-rabid desire to 'be on airtime' - it just does not matter why. No wonder we have 'reality TV' based on everything - teenage pregnancy, obesity, dating, breaking up, living and dying. Life has become a caricature of itself.

There is no time to wait and save the little puppy crossing the road. There is no patience to speak to your 'childhood friends', if at all you happen to meet for dinner. Cos, hey! We have to 'like' our own update, don't we? We can't keep our hands off our phones, and our eyes off the screens. Narcissism knows no end.

In such a time, this story of an English stockbroker during the early days of WW2 overpowers all else and makes up pause and think about a million things. What did he do? Oh, nothing much, really, apart from saving 600 -odd Jewish kids from Auschwitz and other gas chambers. And did not breathe about it to anyone for half a century. He insists that he wasn't doing anything special, adding, 'I just saw what was going on and did what I could to help.' This is an exceptional story from a time which cannot be reasoned out, however hard you try.

Sir Nicholas Winton

There are some extremely painful dramatizations of moments beyond words here. One cannot even begin to imagine the range of emotions felt by everyone who went through this. Most of the kids themselves would be too young to remember anything. Can you imagine living almost your entire life before coming face to face with the random stranger, who is the reason you (and your grandkids) are present today? This is about paramount sacrifice, relentless selflessness and hoping against hope. It is about raw, basic human emotions.

Some moments here absolutely moved me to shreds. There are plenty of folks interviewed, who reminisce through the fog of ages to look at the nostalgic train ride, which changed everything for them . You will remember the simple pleasures of childhood that make an imprint forever - a simple meal, the kind man, a reassuring word. It is beautiful to realize how the smallest things matter a lot. When you see wizened old men and women recollect little incidents from their childhood , it is hard to not soften up. Some of the questions posed by such movies create cannot be answered.

Most of all,I guess, we understand the effect that one man with good intentions can have (of course, with a little help from his friends) on the world. The ripple effect is awe- inspiring and quite hard to sum up, and comprehend. I'm not sure what your reaction will be to this movie, but I was thoroughly depressed after watching it. Anyone who is interested in WW2 should not miss this.

If we decide to measure our life by the good impact on others, then Sir Nicholas Winton would be God.

*I do not own any of these images. All pictures courtesy their respective owners*

Das Boot: Director's cut

We are conditioned to form stereotypes everywhere. Cinema and media are rife with examples. We are brainwashed to believe that one side is always good, and everyone else is the enemy. Our opinions, ideology and thoughts are forged by what we consume and who we associate with. Mega conglomerates control the media, and political ideology aims to polarize the masses. We divide everyone and everything based on Language, geography, colour ,religion, and everything else in between. In such a time, Das boot stands out with its honest attempt in portraying men during war. There are no heroes or villains here, just crewmen doing their job, and listening to their Captain.

Das boot (The boat) is a German movie about a U-boat and its crew, set during WW2. The movie is based on a 1973 German book by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, who in fact was a war correspondent. He had worked for the propaganda department of the German Navy during WW2. Lt. Werner's character in this movie is said to based on Buchheim. 

Almost the entire movie consists events which happen inside the submarine. There is no hurrying, as we are introduced to each and every character and their stories. Nothing sticks out, and like going through the pages of a good book, we get to identify with the characters - the longing lover, the loving husband, and the energy of youth.

Jürgen Prochnow delivers a terrific performance as the U- boat's stoic, rock - solid, war hardened and unflinching captain. Brilliant leadership traits are on display here. Like a rock on a rough shore, his eyes betray little emotion. Faced with utmost adversity, he is unfazed and issues commands with absolutely no hint of fear. 'I need proper reports', he thunders, when his submarine is on the brink of sinking. Make no mistake, his subtle changes in expression reveal a range of emotions - hope, triumph, dedication and sadness. At no point confuse his demeanor and harsh words as those from a soulless man.

There are some absolutely gripping nail-biting sequences when the U-boat attacks enemy ships and dives, to evade anti-submarine weapons. The atmosphere is fraught with tension and the seconds move like hours. Many times I felt like I had stepped into Maat (Petty Officer) Hinrich's shoes (The radioman and sonar controller, who is the window to the outside world, while underwater). The sonar pings piercing the silence created an atmosphere of heightened awareness and I was riveted. The sounds will stay with me for a long time.

See sounds

At 3.5 Hours, it is a very long movie. But at no point I felt this. There is enough drama and tension to keep you firmly glued to your seat. Do not expect a traditional plot, character or ending. Nothing can categorize the movie, that is the brilliance.

I was amazed at the cinematography, at how the camera moved fluidly within the cramped spaces of the submarine. We feel that we are a part of the movie, living and breathing with its characters. The crew's myriad expressions are captured very well. The editing is top - notch.This is an immersive experience, best seen in the biggest of screens.

Anyone remotely interested in WW2 should not miss this masterpiece. I'm very sure I'm going to watch this gem again. Watch this version with subtitles.

*I do not own any of these images. All pictures courtesy their respective owners*