life of muthu movie review

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Release Date : September 17, 2022

123telugu.com Rating : 2.75/5

Starring: Silambarasan T. R. , Radhika Sarathkumar , Siddhi Idnani

Director: Gautham Menon

Producer: Ishari K. Ganesh

Music Director : AR RAHMAN

Cinematography : Siddhartha Nuni

Editor : Anthony

Related Links : Trailer 

Silambarasan, often referred to as Simbu, is very familiar to Telugu audiences. The actor has now joined hands with the evergreen director Gautham Vasudev Menon for the film The Life of Muthu. This is the fourth collaboration for the actor-director duo. The film hit the screens today. Let’s see how it is.

After clearing his graduation Muthu’s (Simbu) family situation forces him to look after a forest land. Unexpectedly the forest catches fire one day which makes Muthu and the land owner get into a tangle. Muthu is suggested by his mother to leave for Mumbai. Muthu starts working in a Parotta stall there to make a living and to support his family financially. Out of the blue, he gets to know that there is a connection between the workers there and the underworld. He too becomes part of them in a series of sequences. The journey of Muthu in the dark world forms the crux of the story.

Plus Points:

Simbu played the role of Muthu with finesse. He has totally lived in the character and we only see Muthu on the screen but not Simbu. Such is the perfection shown by the actor. Simbu takes the madness to the next level with the interval sequence.

There are a few interesting scenes in both the halves which are pretty well handled. The climax scene where Simbu and Neeraj Madhav meet has a lot of depth and inner meaning in it. The action sequences are well composed and the love track is decent.

Siddhi Idnani is good in her role and is beautiful to watch. The interval episode is shot brilliantly and the camera work here is awesome. The portions of Muthu working hard and his daily routine in this process are realistic. The conversational style of songs is good to watch.

Minus Points:

The main culprit for the film is its patience-testing narrative. From the beginning, the pacing is very slow and it hinders the overall impact. The narrative never gets racy. Scenes that should have been superb are also not executed well.

There is a lot of scope for giving adrenaline rush moments but the director stuck to a flat screenplay. The film at times gets dragged and predictable too. Also, there is an irregularity in the storytelling. The potential is visible but viewers won’t feel it painfully.

The length of the film is another setback as it is close to three hours. The hook factor a film should have especially when there is a sequel is not present in this film.

Technical Aspects:

AR Rahman’s thumping background score gives a solid impact and he literally enhances many sequences in the film. Also, the songs were ecstatic to listen to. The camerawork by Siddhartha Nuni is supreme and he has captured the world of mafia remarkably well. Telugu dubbing is fine.

The editing team should have cut short the film to make matters better. Coming to director Gautham Vasudev Menon, he did just a very okayish job as the film works only in parts. The director should have taken more care regarding the screenplay. Writer Jeymohan’s story isn’t novel but it has its moments.

On the whole, The Life of Muthu is a middling gangster drama. Simbu’s terrific portrayal as Muthu, a few enthralling scenes, the interval block, and AR Rahman’s arresting music are its assets. The dead slow narrative, inconsistency in many places, and lengthy duration are its drawbacks and hence they make the film just a passable watch. You can watch the film provided you are okay with these flaws.

123telugu.com Rating: 2.75/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

Click Here For Telugu Review

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The Life of Muthu (2022) - Review/Discussion Thread. SPOILERS MUST BE TAGGED

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu Part I: The Kindling (transl. Scorched forest) / The Life of Muthu - is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, written by B. Jeyamohan and produced by Ishari K. Ganesh. The film stars Silambarasan and Siddhi Idnani, with Raadhika Sarathkumar, Siddique, Neeraj Madhav and Aangelina Abraham in supporting roles, the film has music composed by A. R. Rahman.

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‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’ Review: Simbu, AR Rahman Shine in This Gangster Saga

The interval block of 'vendhu thanindhadhu kaadu' is as satiating as the one from kamal haasan’s recent hit vikram..

In essence, Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu ( VTK ) is KGF — a rags-to-riches story which traces the life of a young boy, not wanting to be enslaved, leading by example to those who are oppressed around him, and eventually becoming a powerful gangster.

However, unlike Rocky Bhai (Yash) in KGF , who is a gangster by choice and driven by a purpose (his mother’s wish to rack up every gold in the world), Muthu Veeran (Silambarasan TR) in VTK is a gangster by chance who is forced to dive into the clumsy and deep rut of the underworld.

The story revolves around Muthu, a poverty-stricken, distraught young lad from a remote village in Tamil Nadu. He migrates to Mumbai, the city of dreams to create a hopeful future for his mother and sister.

A still from  Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter)

The film explores trust, betrayal, fairness in war and love. It also digs deep into how money and authority can exponentially empower the violent and destroy the lives of the ones who are in the receiving end of abuse.

Everytime Muthu (Simbu) plots to escape, he is further plunged into the depths of the world of crime. Once blood stains his hands, there’s no looking back. He lets fate turn him into a GOAT Gangster, and not a mere scapegoat, by succumbing to the world’s unfair rule — either kill or be killed. However, was it really the only option he had? Isn’t it partially his choice too?

In order to drive home to this point, a parallel storyline is used effectively with Sridharan (Neeraj Madhav) who is also caught in the underworld like Muthu. He goes through similar life-altering incidents, but eventually sets himself free to lead a ‘normal’ life.

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Simbu and Neeraj Madhav in Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu.

There are moments of quirky humor that have worked well in the VTK . For instance, Muthu, the guy who is caught up in the underworld activities meets the love of his life while he sets out to buy a bunch of underwears.

While Simbhu is the hero of VTK on-screen, AR Rahman is the one, off-screen. He simply elevates the film with his scintillating music and background score that gives you frissons at periodic intervals.

The interval block of Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu is as satiating as the one from Kamal Haasan’s recent hit, Vikram . It is because the writers have brilliantly foreshadowed the important element of the film (the unused gun) and hence we know what’s coming. They prepare us minute-by-minute to experience the most anticipated moment of the film and then excite us with a brilliant payoff.

In addition, there are some interesting easter egg-like references embedded in the film. For instance, the ‘girlfriend older than her boyfriend’ aspect from Gautham & Simbu’s previous film Vinnaithandi Varuvaaya and the OG Tamil cinema gangster, Velu Nayakar’s reference from Maniratnam’s Nayakan .

However, what doesn't sit quite well is a dialogue where Sridharan (Neeraj Madhav) says, " Enna Oru pombala maari vechurukanga " (They are treating me like a woman), to express that he is exploited at work. It sounded like he was insulted more by the fact that he was forced to wear lipstick and dupattas, than the sexual abuse he was subject to.

Also, the climax felt a little outlandish with the premise for the sequel being rushed.

Though Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu might come across as a usual gangster saga, it is a unique attempt from Gautham Vasudev Menon, who submits to writer Jeyamohan’s vision.

He puts the story on the pedestal and refrains from stamping his signature (uber-cool upper middle-class backdrop, classy action blocks, heavily English-infused dialogues, hero playing guitars, intense voiceovers). But, we still get a gentle feel of Gautham’s touch in the way love sequences are choreographed.

Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu is running in cinemas now.

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Topics:    ar rahman      gautham vasudev menon  .

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• Movie Reviews

Life of Muthu Review

What's Behind

Simbu and Gautham Menon delivered a couple of blockbusters Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaya  and Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada. Expectations increased when they came together for Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. The film's Telugu version release got delayed and finally, it hit the screens today September 16, 2022. Let us see what magic Simbu and Gautam Menon wove on movie lovers.

Story Review

Life of Muthu story is about a youngster Muthu who struggles through poverty in a village near Nidadavolu and Polavaram before reaching Mumbai and what twists happen in his life there. Lakshmi (Radhika Sarathkumar), the mother of Muthu (Simbu) sends him far away from her village as she fears that the astrologer's prediction that he will commit murders will come true. Simbu reaches Mumbai and starts working in a Paraota Stall. However, he quickly comes to know about the dark secrets and where this leads to, and how it is connected to a beautiful girl Pavani (Siddhi Idnani), Kutti Bhai (Siddique), Sridharan (Neeraj Madhav) and others should be seen on screen.

Artists, Technicians Review

Life of Muthu story selected by Gautam Menon is an age-old gangster drama. He along with Jeya Mohan penned the story and the dialogues. The narration starts off on a sedate and interesting note but from then on, it seems Gautam Menon decided to narrate the very intricate detail in the Life of Muthu and this slowed the pace of the film considerably. Nothing happens in the first half after all the buildup. The first half ends on a somber note with the expectations of a better second half.

It seems Jeya Mohan has taken care of most of the first half after the initial taking of Gautam Menon. While the first half is serious with the sadness, trauma, and troubles of Muthu and the gang war backdrop, the second half is more about the romantic track between Simbu and Siddhi Idnandi. Though the romantic track has all the shades of Gautam Menon's earlier films, it impacted the film pulling the story two steps backward.

The pre-climax and climax are fine but they are age-old and are seen in many gangster films and even Gautam Menon used it in his previous films. The entire film with monotony creeping in, everything tuned out to be a yawning fest. The film has the shades of many recent entertainers, KGF and Pushpa but lacked the power present in it. Gautam Menon's story, screenplay, and direction turned out to be average. For all the expectations, Gautam Menon failed to match them.

Simbu performed well in the role. The role is tailor-made for him and he brought to the fore the pain and trauma of a poor youngster who fails to meet both ends in his livelihood and then suffers in Mumbai before circumstances force him to pick up a gun. He showcased various expressions and emotions accordingly. At times, it looked like he is imitating Madhavan. Radhika Sarathkumar is ok in the role of the mother.  Her performance is typical. Siddhi Idnani looked cute in some angles and average in others. She is ok in her role but at times looked out of pace. Other actors performed according to their roles.

Rahman scored the music and background music. While the background music is in sync with the storyline but at times one gets a feeling that he underperformed. Coming to songs, none of them register in the minds and they in fact acted as speed breakers. Rahman for all his status seems to have lost his Midas touch longtime back. The cinematography of Siddhartha Nuni showcased the proceedings in a natural and realistic manner. He used the camera angles to perfection without overdoing it in search of lavishness. The editing of Antony failed to live up to the expectations. There are many drags and the slow pace affected the film badly. They could have chopped off more than 20 minutes of the film. Production values are ok.

• Cinematography

Disadvantages

• Routine Story
• Tamil flavor

Rating Analysis

Simbu and Gautam Menon form a super hit combination and they are known for being creative and novel entertainers. Movie lovers expected a lot from them in Life of Muthu. However, except for a few glimpses here and there from Simbu and Gautam Menon along with the technical team, they offered a routine dish. Gautam Menon seems to have done this film as if he is doing research and submitting a thesis on how to make gangster films for his Ph.D. going into the intricate details. In his quest, he lost the emotional connection with the viewers that he used to establish powerfully with his earlier films. Altogether, Life of Muthu is a monotonous gangster drama that offers nothing new. Considering all these points, Cinejosh goes with a 2 rating for Life of Muthu.

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The Life of Muthu Movie Review: Slow paced Romantic Action Gangster Drama

Rating: 3/5, more movie details: vendhu thanindhathu kaadu.

Posted On: 17 Sep 2022 02:04:36 pm IST | By Bharani SMS

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The Life of Muthu Movie Review !!

Release Date       : September 16, 2022 Starring                : Simbu , Siddhi Idnani, Radhika, Neeraj Madhav etc.. Director                : Gautham Vasudev Menon Music Director     : AR Rahman Cinematography  : By Siddharth Producer              : Ishari K. Ganesh Banner                 : Wales Film International

The latest movie “The Life of Muthu” made by Simbu-Gautham Menon combination is a gangster drama, but this movie was released in Tamil and translated in Telugu. Rahman’s music and Gautham Menon’s take are the special attractions of this film.

Story : Struggling to survive in his hometown, Muthu (Simbu) comes to Mumbai for his mother. He soon learns that he will not only make parotas in the parota shop where he has come to work, but he will also have to commit murders if the boss tells him to. By the time he wants to get out of that hole.. Kutty Bhai ends the gang that attacked the Parota shop.. and becomes Don’s favorite bodyguard. The story of Muthu’s “The Life of Muthu” is the story of Muthu’s growth.

Actors Performance:  This is one of the few films where Shimbu physically struggled. The way he dealt with the variations & emotion shown in this movie is good. This film is another example of his growth as an actor. Also.. the manner of elevating the violence in a very settled manner is also a plus point for the movie. Being like Sameera Reddy is a plus for Siddhi.

Another plus point is to look mature in acting scenes. However.. The chemistry with Simbu is not so ripe. Radhika in the role of the mother and the people who played the roles of Don have been convincing in their roles. Even though Malayalam actor Sreedharan’s role is short, the way he elevates the story is good.

Technical performance:  AR Rahman’s music is the main asset of the film. Gautham Menon’s utilization of Rahman’s music is similar to the way the background music is used to suit the scene. Gautham Menon, who is a specialist in song placement, has picturized the romantic song well. Siddhar’s cinematography, art work, DI & lighting are the special attractions of the movie.

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon has made a regular gangster drama into an interesting survival drama. The multiple letters in the story are handled very neatly and without any deviations with a straight screenplay.. The simple elevations given to the hero character are good.

Gautham Menon’s seniority has once again been proven by the way the audience can understand what the hero’s mentality and courage are like. In a way, this film can be said to be Gautham Menon’s comeback film. Years later, Gautham Menon became a successful storyteller-director.

Most importantly, the way Muthu-Sreedharan, who came to Mumbai at the same time, reached the end of their lives due to the paths they chose and the decisions they took, is highlighted in a very simple manner.

Analysis : The movie “The Life of Muthu” adds simple elevations & emotions to the regular gangster drama. Simbu’s acting, Rahman’s music and Gautham Menon’s take are definitely worth a watch.

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The Life of Muthu review: Lagging second half, a predictable plot

The storyline revolves around a normal guy, muthu (silambarasan), who is from a small town in andhra pradesh. an accident back home forces muthu to travel to mumbai in search of a job to support his mother and sister..

Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon

Cast: Silambarasan, Siddhi Idnani

Hyderabad: Tollywood films that released this Friday bagged mixed reviews. Now, everyone's eyes are on Gautham Vasudev Menon's comeback gangster saga 'The Life of Muthu' starring Simbu. The film hit the screens on Saturday but was available for the audience only last night due to censor certificate issues.

Here is our review.

The storyline revolves around a normal guy, Muthu (Silambarasan), who is from a small town in Andhra Pradesh. An accident back home forces Muthu to travel to Mumbai in search of a job to support his mother and sister. With the help of his relative in Mumbai, he gets a menial job in a parotta stall run by the migrant Tamil community. However, it doesn't take much time for Muthu to realise that the stall is a front for the mafia. Soon, Muthu learns that his boss and co-workers have ties with the local underworld. Though Muthu tries hard to stay away from getting involved in gang wars, situations eventually get him sucked into the underworld, and he is forced to pick up a weapon. What happens next in Muthu's life forms the rest of the story.

Performance:

Silambarasan is impressive in his role as Muthu, a character out of his comfort zone but he lived it. While he is perfect as an innocent guy during the first part of the film, he is fabulous as the hero in the second half. The film marked a good debut for Siddhi Idnani. She has a meaty role and she pulled it off with ease. Appukutty and Neeraj Madhav are good in their roles, while Radhika Sarathkumar has minimal screen time but gave an impressive performance.

Coming to the technical aspects, AR Rahman's haunting songs and the tremendous background score elevate the film's mood. The cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni is neat and he captured Mumbai's underworld in a new color. Editing could have been a lot better in the second half.

Plus points

Though the film has a very simple plot, the rise of a common man, the screenplay deserves appreciation. There are no high moments or explosive scenes but GVM narrated the story in an engaging way. Mainly, the first half will make you sit tight and certain scenes create an intense mood that will raise your curiosity. The interval block is a proper culmination of Simbu's mass performance, Gautham Menon's stylish direction, and AR Rahman's haunting background score.

Minus points

Though the film has a good rustic theme, what is missing is fulfilment. Good action sequences blend with great emotions, but in some crucial places, those two things fail because of the flat narration. The lead to the film's second part showcased in the last minutes, i.e., the climax, could have been a lot better.

Overall, 'The Life of Muthu' is an engaging gangster drama; Gautham Menon and Silambarasan try something outside their comfort zone. If you can ignore a little lag in the second half and a predictable plot, the film is a definite watch this weekend.

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Gulte Telugu news

The Life of Muthu Trailer: Gangster Drama

Article by Satya B Published by GulteDesk --> Published on: 11:07 am, 15 September 2022

After scoring a blockbuster with Maanaadu, actor Simbu has come up with his new film Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, this film has hit the screens today. It is also getting dubbed into Telugu as The Life of Muthu.

The Telugu version will be released on September 17. Meanwhile, the makers have unveiled the trailer of this film recently.

The Life of Muthu traces the journey of Muthu (Simbu) from being a naive youngster to becoming a gangster. How an innocent young man fell into the world of mafia forms the main crux of the movie.

The trailer reminds us of films like Nayakudu and Malik (Fahadh Faasil). Simbu looks terrific in different getups. It looks like he has given a soulful performance in the movie.

AR Rahman’s background score was phenomenal. Director Gautham Menon is in dire need of success, and it looks like this film will mark his comeback in a grand style.

The Life of Muthu features Sidhi Idnani as the female lead. Radhika Sarathkumar and Neeraj Madhav played other key roles in it.

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The Life of Muthu Trailer: Revolves around the life story of the protagonist

• September 15, 2022 / 12:53 AM IST

Tamil actor-director duo Simbu and Gautham Menon’s long-delayed gangster drama, Vendu Thanindhatu Kaadu is slated to hit the screens on September 15th. The film was supposed to hit the screens in Telugu as well with ‘The Life of Muthu’ title on the same day but due to some unforeseen circumstances the Telugu released is pushed to September 17th.

Meanwhile, this evening the makers have released the Telugu version theatrical trailer of the film. The little more than 2 minutes prominently revolves around the life of Muthu( Simbu) who starts his life from scratch and emerges as a gangster eventually. What kind of life experiences Muthu face in his journey, expected to be the key factor of the film. While the trailer runs with the commendable voice-over of Ramya Krishnan, actress Radhika Sharathkumar is showcased in a few glimpses a Muthu’s mother. Heroine Siddhi Idnani is presented as a small town girl and her love track with Muthu is showcased in a few quick shots. Overall, The Life of Muthu trailer is impressive and raised curiosity on the film.

Noted production house Sravanthi Movies is releasing The Life of Muthu across twin Telugu states on September 17th. AR Rahman is the music composer for the film. Vels Film International bankrolled the film.

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Starring: Silambarasan T. R. , Radhika Sarathkumar , Siddhi Idnani Director: Gautham Menon Producer: Ishari K. Ganesh Music Director : AR RAHMAN Cinematography : Siddhartha Nuni Editor : Anthony Release Date : September 17, 2022

Noted director, Gautam Menon is back with his new film The Life of Muthu starring Simbu. The film hit the screens yesterday and read our review to find out if the film has any juice in it or not.

Muthu(Simbu) and his family face a financial situation and his mother asks him to go Mumbai and make a living. Muthu lands in Mumbai and gets a job in a hotel. There he meets gangsters and a small incident makes him enter the underworld. What is that incident and how did it change Muthu’s life is the story of the film.

Performances

The film gives full on scope for Simbu to showcase his acting skills and boy he was damn good. Simbu as Muthu lived in his role and carried the intense emotions throughout the film. Siddhi Idnnani got a good role after a long time and she was very good in her character. The supporting cast who play Mumbai gangster also did a good job.

What’s Good

Simbu’s Performance A few gangster scenes

What’s bad

Slow Pace Lack of novelty

The Life of Muthu has traces of Satya as it showcases the story of a man who turns into a gangster. The manner in which the story is narrated by Gautam Menon is dead slow. Things take forever to showcase the actual issue in the film and this is where the audience gets bogged down.

The screenplay is dull and does not create any tense moments. There are so many scenes where you feel that something awesome will happen but that is not the case in the film. The scenes are dragged and things get derailed for no reason. In all this, the man who makes things watchable is Simbu and his performance.

Gautam Menon has done well in creating a good backdrop for the film. But he is only the main villain as he made the film boring in many areas. The best part of the film is the music by AR Rahman. He breathes life into the film with his music and BGM. The camerawork is superb but the editing is pathetic.

The cast apart from Simbu is also not that great. In a way, what could have been a gritty gangster drama ends up as an ordinary crime saga which you have seen many times in the past.

Bottom Line – Nothing new

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This Film With 92% on Rotten Tomatoes Is the Most Brutal and Beautiful War Movie Ever

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The Big Picture

• City of Life and Death depicts the 1937-1938 Nanjing massacre with shocking realism through impressive filmmaking craft.
• The harrowing film was met with significant controversy and censorship challenges during its production and theatrical release.
• City of Life and Death balances historical authenticity with cinematic technique, presenting a haunting narrative of wartime suffering.

Released in 2009, City of Life and Death ranks alongside Elem Klimov 's Come and See as one of world cinema's most powerful war films. A brutal account of the 1937 Nanjing massacre, in which the Japanese military besieged and occupied one of China's most prominent cities, Lu Chuan 's black-and-white historical dramatization pulls no punches in recreating a horrifying chapter of the 20th century. While City of Life and Death is far from comfortable viewing in its depiction of inhumane atrocities , including widespread sexual assault, graphic violence, and the mass murder of thousands , the film manages to strike a semblance of balance between its shocking content and impressive technical craft, with every bit of its $13 million budget making it onto the screen in service of assured cinematic storytelling. Before it hit theaters, however, Lu's film generated considerable controversy due to its sensitive subject, resulting in spats with the Chinese government over censorship and death threats that targeted the filmmaker himself.

City of Life and Death (2009)

Set during the Nanking Massacre of 1937, this harrowing film chronicles the horrors faced by Chinese civilians as Japanese forces occupy the city. Through multiple perspectives, the movie depicts the brutality of war and the resilience of those struggling to survive amidst the devastation.

What Is 'City of Life and Death' About?

Set during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the years before World War II , City of Life and Death follows a handful of characters — Chinese and Japanese, civilians and soldiers — caught up in Japan's military onslaught on Nanjing and its devastating aftermath . Among the film's primary characters are Chinese soldier Lu Jianxiong ( Liu Ye ), Nazi Party member John Rabe ( John Paisley ), civilian couple Tang Tianxiang ( Fan Wei ) and Madam Zhou ( Qin Lan ), and Japanese soldier Kadokawa Masao ( Nakaizumi Hideo ), several of whom ultimately meet a grim fate. Once the city is under Japanese control, many of these characters find themselves confined to the Nanjing Safety Zone, a location intended to serve as a haven for survivors.

The survivors may be in a safety zone, but their situation quickly deteriorates as enemy soldiers occasionally invade. On the orders of a high-ranking Japanese officer, large numbers of women are whisked away to serve as "comfort women" for soldiers, while others begin cutting their hair and dressing like men to avoid detection. Despite their efforts, sexual assault soon runs rampant in Nanjing and leads to horrific moments of unimaginable suffering. In the meantime, many of the remaining Chinese soldiers are convinced to surrender under false pretenses, only to be summarily executed by Japanese troops. By the time the credits roll on City of Life and Death , even though a handful of fortunate individuals have been spared, the level of collective suffering presented throughout the film's 135-minute runtime is overwhelming to the point of near desensitization . To director Lu Chuan's credit, however, City of Life and Death often offsets its harrowing narrative with bravura filmmaking in front of and behind the camera.

'City of Life and Death' Is as Impressive as It Is Brutal

Like all great war films , City of Life and Death walks a fine line between pursuing historical authenticity and crafting an impressive viewing experience through skill and technique. "You know, it’s a dark movie, it’s black and white, it’s not entertaining," Lu Chuan told The New York Times . But despite the film's often disturbing nature, Chuan's passion for the craft of cinema is evident from beginning to end . Cao Yu 's stunningly crisp photography, enhanced by fluid and carefully choreographed camerawork, makes for painterly images that awe and unsettle in equal measure, giving the film a documentary-like sensibility that only heightens the unfolding drama to a level of unsettling realism.

The 20 Best World War II Movies of All Time, Ranked

War is all kinds of hell.

City of Life and Death is also notable for its soundscape, which largely takes priority over a musical soundtrack, adding another effective sensory layer that complements its commitment to authenticity. Additionally, the film's production design team went to seemingly painstaking lengths to recreate the devastation inflicted on Nanjing by the Japanese military, with bombed out buildings and debris-riddled streets often featuring prominently in Lu's frame. Per the Los Angeles Times , constructing the film's detail-oriented sets took six months, facilitating a sizable and self-contained shooting environment that allowed Lu and his collaborators the freedom to incorporate thousands of extras and stage ambitious, large-scale action sequences.

Nearing the end of City of Life and Death is one of the film's most stunning sequences, featuring Japanese troops engaging in a victory march through the streets of Nanjing. Logistically impressive but tonally unsettling, the scene is dichotomous in nature, displaying a celebration of victory but at the expense of tremendous destruction and suffering . Lu approaches the moment with all the grandeur of a full-blown musical number as soldiers beat a large drum and march in tandem past Chinese prisoners, who can only watch in despair. Epic in scope and never lacking in craft, City of Life and Death is as technically impressive as cinema gets, but getting the film made and distributed was marred by controversy.

'City of Life and Death' Generated Controversy Upon Release

Long before City of Life and Death hit theaters in April 2009, Lu Chuan faced an uphill battle in getting his film made. Before cameras rolled, Lu's screenplay was under review by the Chinese Communist Party for six months before receiving approval , with the CCP ultimately demanding the filmmaker omit multiple scenes, including particular acts of violence and torture, as well as a scene depicting a Japanese officer displaying compassion for a Chinese prisoner of war. After production of the film was completed, Lu had to wait another six months to receive final cut approval. But for all the censorious hoops the filmmaker had to jump through, City of Life and Death was met with further backlash from Chinese viewers, some of which directly targeted its writer and director.

According to The New York Times , the main point of contention among City of Life and Death 's detractors was the film's portrayal of Japanese soldier Kadokawa . Though the character isn't innocent of engaging in violence, he is also disturbed by the horrific things he witnesses and manages to help a number of Chinese civilians before ultimately dying by suicide, making for a three-dimensional character whose inner conflict lends the film's Japanese soldiers a sense of moral ambiguity . So incensed were some viewers by this notion that Lu Chuan received graphic death threats in the film's first week of release. Among the sinister messages he received were "You're a traitor" and "I'll kill you," as well as threats targeting his parents. "I never imagined this film would have aroused so much, you know, hatred against me," he said.

Despite the intense outcry, however, City of LIfe and Death debuted to a rave reception from general audiences. Within its first three weeks of release, the film had been seen by nearly a million people and grossed $22 million, defying calls for it to be pulled from theaters and propelling Lu Chuan to the forefront of Chinese cinema. Though it's a dramatization, City of Life and Death 's raw and unrelenting approach to a nationally traumatizing event is likely to endure as a seminal piece of work in commemorating one of the darkest chapters in modern Chinese history, serving as evidence that audiences are willing to venture into such dark territory so long as it's treated with moral and artistic reverence.

City of Life and Death is available to watch on Kanopy in the U.S.

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Every afternoon, as Xavier ( Atibon Nazaire ) pulls into his driveway after work, one of his neighbors, like clockwork, walks by his home talking on his cell phone. Sometimes they greet each other, others they simply perform this unspoken, synchronized ritual we can assume has happened for years. Each instance of this interactions is shot from the same angle to visually reaffirm the notion of a treasured routine—which becomes even more noticeable when absent. Partly a tribute to the routine occurrences that collectively make a place feel like one belongs, Monica Sorelle ’s delicately galvanizing slice-of-life debut “Mountains,” set in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood, overflows with such details.

Reserved but never one to stand for injustice, Xavier finds himself in a compromised position as he works demolishing properties that will be turned into luxury homes not intended to house locals. The operations have gotten too close to his own doorstep for comfort. Nearby, a new, more spacious home for sale catches his eye. Could it be time for a new start? Without calling much attention to them, the filmmaker makes clear who the desired prospects to inhabit it are, and they certainly don’t look or sound like Xavier and his wife Esperance (a radiant Sheila Anozier ), both working-class immigrants from Haiti.

Picking up gossip along the way, Esperance walks around the neighborhood exchanging pleasantries with people who have for long been fixtures in her life, just as she has been one in theirs. But for as much Sorelle and cinematographer Javier Labrador Deulofeu revel in immortalizing the colorful, lived-in streets of this community, she also engages with the nagging feeling of impermanence all immigrants share, being in another country while thinking about the one left behind. For Xavier, the bridge between him and Haiti is a radio program on news from his embattled Caribbean homeland. The body language and stoic demeanor of Nazaire (an actor who’s previously had small roles in TV and film) transmit an imposing fortitude, and at times inflexibility, while still allowing for gentleness.

Sorelle’s “Mountains” joins other recent American productions such as “On the Seventh Day,” about Mexican immigrants from the state of Puebla in New York, or “ Menashe ,” following a Hasidic Jewish father, that document ethnic enclaves existing parallel to the country’s mainstream society where life often unfolds in a language other than English. These universes full of stories refuse to be homogenized into an indistinct mass, straddling a degree of inevitable assimilation with a resilient conviction to maintain their identity.

Though “Mountains” spends most of its time grappling with the quiet worries of its immigrant characters, Sorelle eventually turns to their son Junior ( Chris Renois ), an aspiring standup comedian still living at home whose chosen career path doesn’t align with what Xavier envisioned for him. His perspective on his parents’ rigid mindset, and how it clashes with the idea of pursuing one’s “dreams,” enrich this layered appreciation of this household, a proxy for countless others in any diaspora. The perceptive writer-director further balances the scales through a scene where Xavier himself is looked down on by his wealthy brother-in-law for what the latter deems a lack of ambition. That Sorelle’s co-writer Robert Colom is Cuban may contribute to the honesty on display when Xavier’s Cuban boss utters openly racist remarks about him and another Black employee, confirming such attitudes prevail even among groups that have more in common than not.

Soon, corporate vultures, eager to buy homes for cheap, begin to circle the family, banking, likely, on how unwelcoming the new developments will make the area for the immigrant population. What’s more insidious is that they tacitly force those who live there to partake in their own displacement: when Xavier and Esperance attend the open house for the residence they dream of owing, the person assisting the agent whispers to them in Creole—she is also of Haitian descent—not as a reassuring gesture, but with an undertone of condescension that Esperance doesn’t appreciate. Slowly, their acquittances will be replaced with people new to the neighborhood who act is if it has always belonged to them.  That’s how gentrification operates, turning spaces that once held significance for the marginalized into bland playgrounds for outsiders who can afford them. It’s a mentality of ruthless appropriation with no interest in fostering community. The strength of Sorelle’s storytelling hinges on how she divulges these points not in verbose dialogue or forced confrontations, but through the ambivalent emotions that coat all human drama.

There, among the ruins of a vibrant community under siege, Xavier stands tall taking claim to the place where he’s built a life, humble and hard-fought but his and his family’s. To leave would mean to migrate again, to be uprooted and stripped from any semblance of home, all for the benefit of neo-colonizers whose economic prowess inflicts pain guised as opportunity. Xavier’s mere presence means resistance, as do the boisterous sounds of his people’s festivities and of their language. And though the bulldozers may rip windows and walls apart, it’s the intangible that’s unmovable. They, indeed, can’t move mountains. 

Carlos Aguilar

Originally from Mexico City, Carlos Aguilar was chosen as one of 6 young film critics to partake in the first Roger Ebert Fellowship organized by RogerEbert.com, the Sundance Institute and Indiewire in 2014. 

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Mountains (2024)

Atibon Nazaire as Xavier

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By Shane Goldmacher

Reporting from the Democratic National Convention in Chicago

• Aug. 22, 2024

Kamala Harris often leans on a favored phrase to focus her team before beginning an important project: “What business are we trying to accomplish here?”

In deciding what to say in the most important speech of her life on Thursday, the vice president’s answer has been threefold, aides said: tell her life story, frame her contest with Donald J. Trump as one pitting the future against the past and reclaim the banner of patriotism for the Democratic ticket.

Ms. Harris has been taking her convention address so seriously that she has held rehearsals complete with teleprompters in three different time zones.

Soon after she became a presidential candidate one month ago, she told advisers that she saw this speech and any fall debates as the most pivotal moments of the abbreviated race, according to three people familiar with her thinking. But in reality, she saw this speech as crucial for even longer than that. The earliest draft of her convention remarks had first circulated back when Ms. Harris was still just a vice president seeking a second term as President Biden’s No. 2.

Now, the reworked address will represent Ms. Harris’s biggest turn on the national stage since her sudden ascent to the top of the Democratic Party as she prepares to take on Mr. Trump in an election just 75 days away.

The preparations over both her message and her delivery have been intensive. Adam Frankel, a former speechwriter for former President Barack Obama and now an adviser to Ms. Harris, is the lead writer of the address, taking input and suggestions from a wide variety of others. But the vice president herself has workshopped the speech nearly line by line, two people familiar with the preparations say.

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