Tag Archives: films

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Looking back at India

Here are some of my old notes, written on September 13, 2009:

I used Lonley Planet (c. 2007) recommendations for movies to see about India and then continued to explore others. They are either in English or have English subtitles.
Earth, Water, and Fire, a trilogy directed by Deepa Mehta. These are very good films, but not necessarily happy ones.
Gandhi directed by Richard Attenborough
Mr & Mrs Iyer, directed by Aparna Sen
Monsoon Wedding, directed by Mira Nair; see also her acclaimed earlier film Salaam Bombay!
Lagaan directed by Ashutosh Gowariker  I watched the beginning and end, napped in the middle.
Story of India with Michael Wood.Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Collection 2 Disc 2: Rajasthan, Kolkata/Mumbai – these cities are north of where I’ll visit, but nice to get a feel for India in general. Rick Steves is a little to vanilla for me at times, but Anthony Bourdain is a little too snarky for me at times. Handheld camera and fast shots make me a little sea sick.
The Namesake directed by Mira Nair.
Swades directed by Ashutosh GowarikerMeenaxi: Tale of 3 Cities” directed by M.F. Husain – I gave up on this because the story line didn’t capture my attention and a scratch made the DVD difficult to play.
The Mahabharata directed by Peter Brook. I’ve been intimidated by “The Mahabharata” because it is 5 hrs and 25 minutes long.
India: Kingdom of the Tiger directed by Bruce Neibaur

From  August 31, 2009:

Books about India that I’ve read or listened to:

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup

February 27, 2012

I’ve read quite a bit more about India since my original notes and added them to LibraryThing. I’m currently reading India Becoming, listening to Last Man in Tower, and working on an India scrapbook (finally!) that all have me thinking about India again.

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Thinking Finland

There are times when I like to focus my reading, listening, and watching on a theme. Right now it is Finland, land of many ancestors.

Books

Riding with Reindeer Bicycling can be done in bad weather, in areas with so few people that you converse with any animal or object.

The Princess Mouse: A Tale of Finland Love the one you’re with, with great illustrations.

The Year of the Hare The reserved Finns are too much for me. I shall befriend a hare.

Culture Shock! Finland Finns are reserved. Who knew. I found the Culture Shock! India book very helpful and am currently reading the Finland guide.

The Winter War It’s been a while since I read this, but it has helped form my image of Finland.

Louhi, Witch of North Farm Louhi, the Witch of North Farm, partakes in the activities of daily life in Finland. She makes blueberry soup. She looks at the boats. She knits. However, she isn’t in the mood for everyday activities. She wants to do something Witch-Witch-Witchety. Louhi goes out looking for trouble…and finds it!

Living in Finland Just browsed this one.

Music

Finlandia Too many changes in volume for my old car. I was constantly adjusting the volume. I’ve gotten a newer car to try again.

Films

Ultimate Scandinavia I didn’t even know that river boarding was a sport. Now I want to try it!

Mother of Mine A child, WWII, Finland and Sweden.

The Man Without a Past

Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale Reindeer, Santa Claus, mining, elves, and a child hero in a dark comedy. Very funny for those with a tough skin.

Aki Kaurisaki’s Leningrad Cowboys

Language

Finnish…In 60 Minutes “…the listener can commit it to memory.” I daresay that the editor of this blub should consider the difference between can and may.

Do you have any suggestions for me?