Life has been going on.

I am currently listening to a commentary by one Ramakrishna Shastry on Artha Sangraha. It a beginner text written by one Laughakshi Bhaskara on the Purva Mimansa System of philosophy. I have to admit it is rather pedantic and uninspired. I went in hoping for a logical or epistemology treatise, instead find long lists of things that are never fully explained or for that matter important.

Franz Kafka's 'The Trial' is next in line.

I watched 'La Ciociara' *ing Sophia Loren and directed by Vitorrio de Sica. It is a WW2 survival story based on a novel by Alberto Moravia. Great acting by Sophia Loren and even more so by her co-star Eleonora Brown.

I went with high hopes to watch Anurag Kashyap's latest presentation 'Shaitan' directed by Bejoy Nambiar. Bejoy Nambiar is one of the rare cases of something good coming out of a reality show. He was a contestant on a reality show to become a movie maker. He did not win but has made a good film here. It is a quick paced thriller and a good watch. The ensemble cast lives up to its promise. I did find the promos slightly misleading and hyped after watching the movie. I am eagerly looking forward for the next movie directed by Anurag. Although he is doing well as a producer I miss his touch as a director, the perfect example for that being Dev-D.

Before that I watched Bernardo Bertolucci's The Conformist. Again based on a novel, it is a simple story of a man trying to be 'normal' in changing times. Liked it.

'Loins of Punjab Presents' directed by Manish Acharya was on TV. A beautiful movie and a great storyteller. It is a pity the director died in an accident shortly afterwards.

I have been reading Roots: The Saga of an American Family in volumes. I just completed the fourth. Kunta Kinte has entered into manhood and returns to his village a man. I am reading it mostly for studying the narrative techniques and building of chronology.

Vilgot Sjöman's 'I am Curious - Yellow' is a pioneering Swedish movie. The classic plot of a movie in a movie is put to excellent use by intertwining the characters and actors, plot and life and the duality is brought out in visionary cinematic light. Yeah! I admit it is rather flattering and frankly a little nonsensical, but it is a truly good movie but unappreciated.