‘I am A Director’, a pathetic spoof on Hollywood

This morning, I saw a Puerto Rican film ‘I Am A Director’ which was really pathetic as it aims to mock Hollywood. It is about a guy who wants to make a film and hires actors even though he doesn't have a screenplay or budget. Everything seems to be in his mind which itself is a muddle. But this was compensated by Nagisha Oshima's ‘The Ceremony’ (Homage to Oshima) which attacks the Japanese tradition for the past which prevents them from thinking straight. They only meet at funerals and weddings and have to resort of the old rituals. He also zeroes in the illegitimacy in families and the complications that naturally ensue. Incidentally, I met Oshima in Mumbai in 1984 when he came with his ‘Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence’

Seat bookings for the second half have started amidst complaints that most of the seats are taken by those who booked it online. There should be a separate quota for regular commuters who feel deprived of their rights. Also the press conferences are tame and sparsely attended because most of the biggies have left. The film society regulars - Satish Parker, Arjun Mehta and Rohinton Mistry - are still around but I feel it is not as good as last year's, as far as the arrangements go.

The disturbances continue during the screenings. Imagine folks leaving an Oshima film within 15 minutes. Many of them are without tickets and do not have an inkling of the films. At times they are heard snoring and have to woken by their neighbours!