~Those Black Memories - AMU~. Review on Amu

Excruciatingly poignant!

Rarely does any form of art excited my tear glands! After Beethoven's Symphonyit was Amu!

I have not realised that I was crying ---- 25 years are gone and the one who is writing this review and those who are reading are alive! But the scar left by the shameful genocide of 1984 ---- well, not worth even discussing? Yeah - the hedonistic attitude of those having vested interest always advocated "Why even you are discussing it? It is better if buried and forgotten!"

Writer - Director Shonali Bose'sdebut reveal the trauma carried by many!

Kajori Roy (Kaju) / Amu (Konkona Sen Sharma) represent the one who lost her family but was fortunate enough to get adopted by social worker / activist, Keya Roy (Brinda Karat) when Amu was 3 year old or so. Later on, they shift to Los Angeles and the adult Kaju return to Delhi overcome by déjàvu and stumbles upon secrets and lies from her past. She was convinced that her parents were dead due to epidemic in Chandan Hola Village in 1985. Kaju was quite inquisitive and went ahead researching about the epidemic. But truth was stranger than fiction - it revealed the story behind gruesome genocide of 1984. Kaju is supported by Kabir Sehgal (Ankur Khanna), a University Student and theatre actor.

How is it possible to convey the pain and brutality associated with violence without being explicit? Amu is a classic representation of this cinematic technique. All characters carry a volcano ready to erupt in their heart. Many were used to live with the fact that justice is going to be a mirage!

There are many hard hitting scenes / characters which convey the depth of agony -

a) Those who organised the riot were wondering - situation compelled us to do so! (A Senior Government Officer - Kabir's father)

b) Those who killed innocent people were wondering - Why are we blamed? Those who planned the riot are still holding influential power! They need to be blamed! (KK - the goon)

c) Those who were affected - They know the criminals, but are convinced to lead a compromised life! Justice will flow to those who got power! (Shanti Kumar, former resident of Trilok Nagar)

d) For self defence he directed the mob to an innocent Sikh's home! Later, he is living with guilty conscience (Govind , Dhaba Owner - character played by Yashpal Sharma)

e) A young Sikh's turban is removed and hair was cut just to save him from the mob

There are many dialogues that left the censor board in deep dilemma -

a) Amu's mother who could recognise the powerful politician wearing Black Glass who organised comment throw direct reference to someone who was exposed through Nanavati Commission report!

b) Indira Gandhi's murderers were arrested but those who organised crime against innocent Sikhs escaped - This is the comment of a mother who lost his young boy!

Without showing bloodshed - Amu is a point blank shot on the failure of the system and anarchy during the riotous situation before 25 years. Each scene and dialogues are brilliantly executed and will leave everlasting impression on your heart and mind.

Without any doubt - Konkona is the show stealer with her brilliant body language. Even her winking denotes the trauma of an orphaned girl who is not having any clues about her past.

Brinda Karat might have agreed to act in this movie due to political reasons but of course she did a wonderful job.

Lourdes Ambrose - took us through Old Delhi (this might have even influenced Rakeysh Mehra later) and the background tone given to the entire movie suits well to the theme.

Sound Mixing - is safe and perfect with Resul Pookutty. During pre-Oscar era, no one might have even cared to notice the significance of his craftsmanship.

Music by Nandlal Nayak represents the anthem of trauma. It does not create high tempo music. Crests and troughs flow like the angst of deserted soul.

The images of this fiction will keep you pondering over the agonies of the helpless for long. Of course, it entertains you with innocent and ordinary situations of life. The movie is ending with a warning to all of us - The last scene of the movie shows the lead pair walking away from a Television scene reporting the 2003 Gujarat riots - Who knows - this may happen to you also!

I remember the ending note of Camus's plague ---

A must watch for movie lovers - Strongly recommended!