Based on the Hermann Hesse novel of the same name, Siddhartha was controversial at its time because it featured a nude scene by Simi Garewal. I watched it a few days back. Unfortunately, I have not yet read the book.
Hesse attempts to both admire and criticise the Buddhist ideal of enlightenment under a tree.
I often mock the idea of attaining enlightenment under a tree when I speak. I have time and again felt that enlightenment is a process, a journey of great distance rather than a momentary realisation. Everyone is enlightened. Everyone is on the path. Everyone has a long way to go. Some may be a little further than others but it is not of consequence as each has his own path. The path is not a straight one. Not that it is crooked but rather that it is more of a maze that a path. There may be many ways out. There may be different ways for different people.
The movie itself is good. The controversy is dated as the the nudity in present cinema is clearly more than what we see in this movie. More over it is tastefully done. I think, the controversy was perhaps because of the poster. I do not know if the poster in the Wiki page is the one used originally, but I can see how it may cause some debate. Certainly not gratuitous, but the nude scene, perhaps, is not essential to the movie.
The movie is set in the time of the Buddha. The lead characters live in the context of buddhism, shramanism, jainism and perhaps upanisadic philosophies. There is no conflict or friction between these ideas but a natural flow of ideas. The flow itself is metaphorically represented as a river that the characters cross.
The cinematography is good but could have been better. It may have been due to budget constrains.
Visual and historical accuracy is clearly lacking. The use of bengali songs, modern chants, modern clothes as distracting to an informed viewer but do not affect the underlying message.
The actors do a good job. The direction is also impressive. The movie was a extensively restored in the 90's. Although it was distributed in the west I an unaware if it was ever commercially released in India.
Hesse attempts to both admire and criticise the Buddhist ideal of enlightenment under a tree.
I often mock the idea of attaining enlightenment under a tree when I speak. I have time and again felt that enlightenment is a process, a journey of great distance rather than a momentary realisation. Everyone is enlightened. Everyone is on the path. Everyone has a long way to go. Some may be a little further than others but it is not of consequence as each has his own path. The path is not a straight one. Not that it is crooked but rather that it is more of a maze that a path. There may be many ways out. There may be different ways for different people.
The movie itself is good. The controversy is dated as the the nudity in present cinema is clearly more than what we see in this movie. More over it is tastefully done. I think, the controversy was perhaps because of the poster. I do not know if the poster in the Wiki page is the one used originally, but I can see how it may cause some debate. Certainly not gratuitous, but the nude scene, perhaps, is not essential to the movie.
The movie is set in the time of the Buddha. The lead characters live in the context of buddhism, shramanism, jainism and perhaps upanisadic philosophies. There is no conflict or friction between these ideas but a natural flow of ideas. The flow itself is metaphorically represented as a river that the characters cross.
The cinematography is good but could have been better. It may have been due to budget constrains.
Visual and historical accuracy is clearly lacking. The use of bengali songs, modern chants, modern clothes as distracting to an informed viewer but do not affect the underlying message.
The actors do a good job. The direction is also impressive. The movie was a extensively restored in the 90's. Although it was distributed in the west I an unaware if it was ever commercially released in India.
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