MY VIEW OF “BLACK NHESOP ATANCHEM FASHION” As announced through the print media campaign, handbills and cyberspace, the much publicized movie “BLACK Nhesop Atanchem Fashion” was finally released on 10th of this month at Hawally A/C Hall.
There were two shows, one premiere show at 4.00 p.m. while the second at 8.15 p.m. The premiere show was house full with dignitaries including the Ambassador of India attending the event.
On behalf of myself, my like minded colleagues and friends I congratulate the producer T-Bush for taking so much of pain and efforts finally to produce the first Konkani E-Cinema. To produce a Konkani Film is not a joke, it requires lot of hard work, dedication and finance. Thank God according to reliable sources, the producer was successful financially with two shows. I was afraid the producer would suffer a loss which would upset him and hamper his future plans, if he is having any.
Being an unknown amongst the major portion of the community in Kuwait especially on Konkani arena, I thought his film would receive the negative reaction from the public especially when he has not shown any of his skills to the Kuwait public in Konkani musical art. But exhaustive and sustained press campaign carried by his well wishers finally clicked the right chord and saved the producer from financial disaster.
Earlier because of financial disaster, Albert de Britona who produced the Konkani Film “Kortubancho Sounsar” with Rico Rod as his co-producer in 1970 finally died out of shock. Praise God, T-Bush at least got thru nicely, thanks to all the persons who supported him. He took lot of risks in investing lot of money in this venture. It was very nice on the part of his supporters and the sponsors to stand by him to make this film a success financially.
Though T-Bush the producer of this e-film deserves compliments in producing this film yet qualitatively this film did not live up to the high expectations. I myself had lot of expectations that it would be extremely well, from the press campaign preceding the premier show but it lacked many of the attributes to be a class by itself.
The story in the first part is very confusing and does not show much of the chord with the later part which is to be appreciated especially the ending. The story lacked the necessary ingredients to make it attractive. Script wise it was poor.
In the beginning it was chaotic, the artistes, males and females looked nervous, their talk was lapping and overlapping, one could not really understand and could not follow what they spoke.
The first song, a duet was lacking in clarity especially the female voice while the other songs along with the first duet did not reach up to the required level. The songs composer goofed in all respects, this was not expected from the producer.
When Fank Fernand readied himself to produce “Amchem Noxib” and “Nirmon”, he approached A. Salam for producing and for the necessary help. Writing script may be an art of one person but producing it is a different art. One person cannot be an expert in everything. Then for songs Frank Fernand approached C. Alvares, M. Boyer, Alfred Rose, Robin Vas and others because composing of songs was not an art of Frank, it was an art of seasoned and well known composers as indicated above. For this reason all the songs of those films are still remained evergreen. These songs gave an extra boost to those films. If Frank Fernand had to approach any Ladru Perdu type of composer much of the shine of his Films would get spoiled. T–Bush has failed on this count and he failed very miserably inspite of having abundant talents in Kuwait in the renowned songsters and composers. Best of song composers in Konkani are presently located in Kuwait. Why their service was not utilized? Is it because of the arrogance and pride of the producer? Or was he misguided by Altu Faltu advisers whose knowledge of films is zero? Songsters like Marcus Vaz, Jose Rod and Rosary Ferns could give wonderful songs but they were ignored by the producer and because of this the Film suffered a lot.T-Bush has done good job on Videography and Technical aspects but on other counts he was not successful. Even the artistes whom he introduced were like “kormot”. Many of them were afraid to face the Camera. Acting on the stage is totally different from acting in the Film. Singing in the Choir is different from acting in a movie.
The comedy role played by the ace comedian Philip was not up to the mark. Normally when comedian Philip comes on to the stage, his every entry is applauded but in this film his comedy was without life and push and this was noticed when there was no clapping for any of his actions and statements. He bored the audience for being too long on the screen.
One artiste told me that he accepted his role in this Film as a tip to the waiter. When I further queried, he said by giving a chance to act in this film, the producer gifted many of us like customers in the hotels gift the waiters with tips. And when I asked why did you accept these tips shamelessly when you are not a waiter, he had no answer.
I was surprised to see so many artistes inspite of being incompetent to act still opted for acting instead of simply declining saying “sorry T-Bush, this is not my art and not my especiality, I don’t deserve it. You better give this chance to any deserving artiste who will brighten the image of your movie. My acting in your movie will make mockery of me and you too”. It is this type of artistes who spoiled the image of the film. There is a saying in Konkani “Har nachta mhontlear Gainddoi nachear zaina. Har to Haruch and Kanvllo to Kanvlloch”. Yet there is one more saying “Kanvllean Morachim Pakam lailear Mor zaina, Mor to Moruch ani Kanvllo to Kanvlloch”.
Konkani Film should carry Konkani traditional attributes as it was done in the past. Introducing Hindi Filmi style roles killed our tradition. Introducing non-Konkani background music also affected the credibility of this film.
Displaying female artistes with vulgarity is unGoan and unKonkani and unChristian too. This does not suit our culture and our tradition. Once in one Konkani Film, “Jivit Amchem Oxem”, one Miss Filomena from Marra, Pilerne played the role of a Cabaret Dancer with her revealing dress code. It was condemned by all saying such vulgarity does not fit in our culture. What is good for Hindi culture is not good for our Konkani culture. Only Filomena agreed to do the Cabaret in that Film because all other dignified and disciplined Goan female artistes coming from disciplined family background refused saying it was below their dignity to show their half breasts and tighs above knees. Just to attract the attention of sexually perverted viewers any un-Goan scenes should not have been introduced.
Konkani is not my monopoly only to pass comments. In the past Konkani Films have enhanced the credibility of Konkani language, Konkani tradition and Konkani culture. Because of Nirmon Film, the image of Konkani reached to great height. Even at the time of presenting National Award to C. Alvares for being the best actor in that film, the then Premier of India Mrs. Indira Gandhi was surprised to know the richness and greatness of Konkani. Till such time she was ignorant of the greatness and richness of Konkani.
In future those who venture into Konkani Films production must make a point to consult appropriate persons and not any Ladru Pedru whose knowledge on this subject is limited. Alex Martins when he produced his first ever Konkani Video Film consulted so many and comedians Mendes Bros who gave some very good tips. Mendes Bros. were professional and knowledgeable comedians and not rubbish from the streets. Secondly all the characters in Alex Martins Film had dignity and good moral character for people to accept them while in Black some of the artistes had questionable characters, males and females.
While watching the movie people saw them for their moral character first and then made judgement of their acting. Introducing any Gorilla type of female artiste with grumpy face just because she has helped in collecting Adverts for the Souvenir will not enhance the credibility of the film.
The film has mixed feelings although many find the film to be unique. If the producer has any intention to distribute this Film elsewhere, I feel he should do some revising, if it is possible. Since he is possessing lot of knowledge in Film making, he should do some revising so that the film is EASILY accepted elsewhere at international level. My wish is to see our Films are accepted by the people who crave for good films with good story, good dialoguess, good music and good songs. Even the DVD Films regularly coming from Goa every Friday and sold in Maliya, Kuwait are having better quality script wise, acting wise and song wise.
While concluding I congratulate T-Bush for coming out with 'BLACK'. Of course with some deficiencies which could be eradicated in future ventures, I am sure the young director will be BACK with more.
A. Veronica Fernandes,
Kuwait
