Oslo 31st Aug - Journey through an aberrant path

This is a very different film (Ippadi edavadhu build up thevaipaduthe!). 

I don’t know what genre it belongs to. I have not seen a movie like this before, perhaps none of you.

It’s a sad story about an unsuccessful young Man (so no more humor, shankara- be serious!).

No one wants to tell or hear a story about failures. Everyone likes successful fairy tales (at least to see success on big screens?!).

It’s not that the protagonist in this movie tries to achieve extraordinary things in life. He tries to live a simple normal life; yet, fails miserably in his attempts.

We fail to notice or totally unaware of certain sections of our society; extreme poor, criminals, drug- addicts, prostitutes, prisoners and many more marginalized people. Feel shocked in disbelief, when we realize their struggle for basic needs.

Quotes about failures as stepping stones or raising from fall are always impressive. But how many get up from fall? One in hundred? Or one in thousand?Not everyone raises like a phoenix; neither have the courage to do that. 

Yet, stories about failures- failed people, teach you, educate you and affect you, as success stories, if not more (Note-one more quote).

This Norwegian film(just searched Norway in the world map!) is directed by Joachim Trier, and it was released in 2011. It won prizes in film festivals(don't want to bore you by detailing it). As usual I came to know about this movie through “rotten tomatoes”.

Story

A young drug addict battles to lead a normal life, against his bad habit, rejection from his girlfriend, family and the society. Does he succeed in his fight?

This movie is an account of events, happening over 24 hrs. (Aug 30 – 31^st), in Ander’s life; a drug addict undergoing rehabilitation.

                                       

The film starts with Ander’s nostalgic childhood memories of the city (Oslo- Norway capital), family and friends. He has been feeling lonely in the de-addiction centre, severely depressed and attempts suicide by drowning in a nearby lake, but fails. Comes back and goes to Oslo for a Job interview – Assistant Editor of a newspaper.

He meets his close buddy before that interview. Their past has been conveyed during that conversation. Anders clearly explains his suicidal instincts to his friend. He says, "if someone wants to destroy himself, society should allow him to do so". That reflects his state of mind. During that discussion we come to know about his ex-girlfriend, Iselin; how she was hopeful about Anders and finally gave up and moved away to New York. His family is in debt because of him and planning to sell their house.

His friend understands the severity of the problem; senses that Anders might commit suicide. Tries few encouraging words and invites him for a birth day party in the evening.

He wants to meet his sister and discuss regarding selling the house. She does not even bother to come to meet him, sends her friend, which annoys him.

He attends the interview and impresses the interviewer but when he honestly reveals his past, gets frustrated with the response; angrily comes out without even waiting for the answer. Throws the CV in a dust bin, indicating that he is never going to attend any interview again.

In between he keeps trying to call his girlfriend who currently works in New York. He never gets any response. Whether she knows about those calls or not, is not shown in the film.

Goes to that birthday party. There, he has been teased by the crowd;that ignites his reminiscence of those unfortunate days. Feeling the pain, he boozes heavily; steals money and buys large quantity of opioid, to commit suicide by overdosing (OD).

That Night he spends with friends in a pub. A new girl shows interest in him; he struggles to come out of his past, not able to forget his ex-girlfriend, walks away from her.

Goes to his house (empty – kept ready for sale), early morning next day – Aug 31^st, where he spent his childhood with family; injects a large dose of opioid; slowly stops breathing.

The two main pillars of the movie are, the Director and the lead actor – Anders.

The director succeeds in telling a gripping tale; filled with full of protagonist’s melancholy. His state of mind, his struggle, helplessness and despair- are unmistakably transferred to the audience.

The most painful thing in this world is, rejection by a person you love the most; for Anders that person is, his ex- girlfriend- iselin.

He loves her so much; not able to allow any other girl to enter in his life, feels perhaps that would be a betrayal.

Everyone wants to be a part of society, craves for recognition which is a basic fundamental requirement of a human being. Hence, the next most painful thing would be dismissal from the society; forceful isolation. It happens to most of the abandoned segments. Society rejects them when they try to come back; kicks them back to the point of no return.

He faces both. In addition, family also dis-owns him.

The whole film revolves around one character-Anders (a doctor, musician in real life). He perhaps studied the character well and does a wonderful job. Being a medico must have helped him to do this role. He single handedly portrays the story, never a second you feel bored.

Many good hearted, intelligent and innocent people become drug addicts, not that it’s common only among criminals or bad people.

Director does not analyze whether Anders is right or wrong.

Possibly, that is (committing suicide) the easy way out. He did not have enough courage to fight it out. But people are there like him in and around us. It’s a story about one of those unfortunate, unsuccessful people.

It leaves you with a scar, in the end.

Those who are interested in serious, analytical movies would love this film.

Cheer!

05-09-14,

11pm.