A Conversation with Om Puri

Zahra #118,

I couldn`t, my niece was sick :(

How was it?

Ref headshrinker #: 74

[On the other hand, I`ve never had a sister.]

Didn`t you just tell us last week on another board that when you were a kid, if any of your friends gave you trouble, your sister would run up to him and give him a few slaps?

What happened, you can`t get your lies straight?

[On my birthday, she buys me a Jag]

Yeah, at the local Toys R Us.

[I`m happily married to a beautiful woman for 20+ years.]

In your imagination.

Did you take your Prozac today?

On the other hand, since you said that Hannibal is your kind of psychiatrist, maybe it is Halcyon that you normally take.

Zahra #118 I missed it. Was it good? I think it is supposed to be a true story.

Scout and TAhmed:

Did any of you watch the Bahraini Princess` episode?

Zahra #114 Thanks for the pointers to some good movies. I saw Armisted, but not the others (The Game, Ideal Husband, A Time to Kill, Dead Poets Society). Some of these others have been on my list for some time and will one day get to them. So many movies, so little time...

Re: scout, #113

I wasn`t guessing you. I was letting you know what I am like. Good to know, though. Same wavelength, it seems.

Hope I`d be able to find ``Scent of the Green Papaya`` at the Blockbuster`s. I want it to be my next movie.

Hi folks,

Try as i might i could not get even one Pakistani TV play from the Indo-Pak store in St Louis area where i live. I went to the store armed with the list that someone had been kind enough to post here. I hope to have better luck in New Jersey where my brother lives.

Anyway, i saw this move Gaja Gamini made by M.F. Hussain (who is a famous painter and an eccentric genius from India)today. Cannot make up my mind if it is a good movie or a bad one. Guess i have to watch it one more time. All i can say that M.F. Hussain seems to have been enamoured of women in general and Madhuri Dixit in particular.

rsridhar

TAhmed:

I have seen the movie a few years back, I guess. I like Michael Douglas - his acting, voice and articulation, in particular. Having watched ``The American President`` a few times, I had a set impression, which got disturbed by seeing ``A Perfect Murder.``

If you like action movies, then look into a weird one:

*The Game [It`s captivating, but has a strange theme]starring Michael Douglas and Sean Penn. I did not like it!

If you are into watching real nice ones, then look into:

- A time to kill [Great]
I think it was based on John Grisham`s novel.
[I watched this movie with a friend in Detroit few years back, without realizing that my friend and I were the only non-African Americans in the theatre. Every time the crowd cheered Samuel Jackson, my friend will tell me, `Zahra, let`s get out of here. The crowd may start becoming violent towards us.` I`d politely told her, `Koi Baat Naheen! Read Ayut-ul-Kursee in your heart and let`s be brave.` It was a jam packed hall. I was engrossed in the movie that never cared to looked around me. Every time, there was a scene where a black and white had an argument...Oooh! the audience would go crazy! You must have guessed; it is on racial issues, in Mississippi setting.]

- Amistad [Another Excellent Movie with great actors]!!! starring Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Mathew McConaughey]http://www.cinema1.com/movies97/amistad/us2.html

- Dead Poet`s Society [Robin Williams]
[A Sweet One]

- An Ideal husband [Oscar Wilde`s Beautiful Wit]
http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/Movies/9906/23/review.idealhusband/index.html

You may have seen few of them; if not, then enjoy!

Have a nice weekend!

Godot #112,

``Like Water For Chocolate,`` was a great film. I loved it. If you liked that one, you`ll love the Vietnamese foreign film, ``Scent of the Green Papaya.``

Thanks for the names, I`ll make sure to rent them.

ps:

how do you know I wear mostly black?

Zahra #108 Will try to remember to see it (at least for a few minutes, unless it proves good). Saw ``A Perfect Murder`` last night - nice thriller, good acting (Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow). Movie keeps you quite entertained and tense. One disappointment is an Arab guy as NY detective with whom GP has polite exchanges in Arabic (she works for the UN as interpreter you see), but who does not really do much detective work. Also the plot is a bit too thick I think. Nevertheless, I recommend it in case you have nothing better to do.

Re: scout, #106

Thanks for the recommendation. I`ll make sure I see them. You and I seem to have the same taste (p.s. I wear all black all the time).

Unfortunately, I don`t get to watch too many movies, mostly because of lack of time. Like picking a book to read, then, I`m very particular about picking a movie to watch. Besides, my taste, like my opinions, is very strong. I know what I like and dislike. I saw ``American Beauty`` in my hotel room by accident on the TV in England while I was on a project there, and I loved it. It was such a surprise and a wonderful treat. This was partly due to the fact that, at certain level, I could relate to the guy.

I remember a few movies from past years when I went to see foreign movies a lot in theatres in NY and DC. If you haven`t seen them, check these out:

1. Like Water for Chocolate (from Mexico)

2. Strictly Ballroom (from Australia)

3. Camille Claudelle (from France)

4. Lovers (from Spain)

5. Matador (from Spain)

They are not in order of preference, just random. Watch them with subtitles, it keeps the original flavor. A great deal gets lost in dubbing.

Re: tahmed321, #105

Don`t worry about it, tahmed. No offense taken. My feelings don`t get hurt. I`ve a thick skin. I do apologize, however, if I was hard on you

RE: tahmed

{``Hope you enjoyed the climax (of the movie).``}

Yessir. I enjoyed the climax of the movie (too).

Zahra #108,

Thanks for the info. I`ll try to watch it.

Scout, Godot and TAhmed:

`` It was an excellent movie exploring different facets of the American psyche. ``

I agree with Scout`s above comment. I strongly feel that it ``did`` explore the worst facets of human psyche.

On another note, enjoy watching a controversial but interesting movie that will be aired this coming Sunday. Some details are already here:


Subj: CAIR-NET: NBC to Air Film Feb. 18 About Bahraini Princess Date: 2/15/01 5:40:52 PM Eastern Standard Time


This Action Alert has been sponsored by ALAZHAR SCHOOL in Tamarac, Florida,
where the next generation of Muslim leaders is being raised.

We emphasize quality, safety and awareness. Call us at 954-722-1555 or visit our web site: http://www.alazharschool.org

CAIR alerts reach tens of thousands of Muslims in this country and worldwide via fax and e-mail. Show your support for CAIR`s vital work. To sponsor an alert, call 202-488-8787 (ext. 6052), or e-mail cair1@ix.netcom.com.

-----

NBC TO AIR FILM FEB. 18 ABOUT BAHRAINI PRINCESS
Original commercial for film used stereotypical language and images

(WASHINGTON, DC - 2/15/2001) - On Sunday, February 18 (9-11 p.m. ET), NBC will air a film called ``The Princess and the Marine`` dealing with ``young lovers from two different worlds whose forbidden romance recently made
international headlines in this two-hour original movie based on the true love story between U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Jason Johnson and Bahraini
princess, Meriam Al-Khalifa.`` (Go to: http://www.nbcmv.com. Click on
``Program Information,`` then on the film`s title.)

CAIR has been in contact with NBC since concerned Muslims complained about stereotypical content in a commercial that aired in January. CAIR convinced NBC to change the commercial and the network offered assurances that the film itself would not stereotype Islam, Muslims or Bahraini society. Despite these assurances concerns remain about the film`s content. Excerpts from just a few of the complaints CAIR received: (unedited)

Deanna from Illinois: In the commercial, they portray Muslims as harsh, oppressive, staunchly anti-American and Anti-Christian. They state that in Islam, women must be kept behind veils because ``they are weak and susceptible to temptation.`` The narrator also describes the princess as trapped by her culture, and they show an image of her (the actress portraying her) forcedly making sujood in prayer. It is an extremely horrible portrayal of Islam and Muslims, and all of this can be discerned
from a mere commercial. It is frightening to think what the entire movie will be like.

Jill from Seattle: I am not a sensitive woman, but this made me very angry,frustrated, and more offended than I have ever been in my life. A voice over is saying that women must ``wear the veil as they are weak.`` The girl replies, ``I am a strong Muslim!`` next shot is her in spandex kissing the marine.

Sara: Among the more insulting and inflammatory images and words: ``She was born into royalty`` (images of the actress in palaces, surrounded by
luxurious things) ``and enslaved by tradition.`` (image of the actress in hijab making sujud [praying])...``

NBC`s own press materials use inaccurate and stereotypical language such as: ``I did the worst thing I could do: I have married a white man, an American and a Christian. All are forbidden to me,`` says Al-Khalifa. And: ``Always strong-willed and an independent thinker in a country which defines a woman`s role in the most traditional and strict Islamic sense.`` All of this is said to be ``based on a true story.``

ACTION REQUESTED: (As always, be firm but POLITE. Hostile comments can and likely WILL be used to further stereotype Islam and Muslims.)

1. Watch the film if you are prepared to offer constructive critical analysis.

2. Make note of any concerns you have about the film`s content.

3. Contact NBC to express your concerns. (If you did not have a problem with the film`s content, you may also make note of that fact.)

CONTACT:

Mr. Jeffrey Zucker
President
NBC Entertainment
3000 W. Alameda Avenue
Burbank, CA 91523

FAX: 818-840-2559
E-MAIL: ted.cordes@nbc.com, rebecca.marks@nbc.com, shirley.powell@nbc.com
COPY TO: cair1@ix.netcom.com and 202-488-0883 (fax)

4. Also ask NBC to air the highly acclaimed films ``The Message`` and/or ``Lion
of the Desert.``


Take Care

Godot #103: Sorry to have hurt your feelings, about it. Nothing personal, so please feel free to recommend more and maybe we`ll agree on a good one.

ali1 #98: Hope you enjoyed the climax (of the movie).

Zahra #97: I think you`ll like it. Hope you`ll report back on it on chowk once you have seen it.

here`s a little unsolicited movie promotion -- ``american desi`` is being released in the states on march 16th. its a comedy about abcd`s. it was made a year or two ago but is only being distributed now. one of my friends was an extra in some of the garba/raas dances. here`s the description from the website, www.americandesimovie.com ,

```American Desi` is a fun-loving romantic comedy reminiscent of the great teen films of the eighties like ``16 Candles`` and ``Pretty in Pink,`` mixed with the fresh hip-hop style of ``House Party`` with a uniquely Indian flavor. From Kris, an All-American boy from India, to Ajay, an Afro-Centric Hindu homeboy, to Farah, a devoutly religious but modern Muslim girl, `American Desi` tells the story of a unique set of characters and their culture from a decidedly hip and youthful point of view. Like the masala films of India, ``American Desi`` is so full of music and dancing that it might very well do to Bhangra and Garba what ``Saturday Night Fever`` did to Disco!``