We eat different, we speak different, we look different. Our traditions, our lifestyles, even our time zones are different! But put us in a room as Han Solo maneuvers his way through fires from Darth Vader’s ship, or as Raj and Simran sing songs in memory of each other amidst the scenic landscapes of Switzerland; we forget it all and become one and the same - a part of an enchanted audience! That is the magic of cinema!
Cinema transcends all boundaries. It is the place where art, culture, fantasy and reality meet. Since time immemorial it has been an art which entertains, informs and is even, in several instances, used as a tool of propaganda and mass mobilization. It has become an inextricable part of our lives, both reflecting and drawing inspiration from society.
Coming from India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, if cricket be the first obsession that unites us, then love of cinema comes a very close second! With our connected histories and cultures, cinema is a passion for people. Our actors are exalted to the status of ‘superstars’, a zillion songs from a zillion movies hold permanent position at the tip of our tongues and characters dissolve out of the screens and into our lives. And of course, irrespective of our nationalities, Hollywood movies are something we are all fond of.
However, it was a three hour bus ride, 20 happy students, and like said before, a love for cinema –where we happened to chance upon the inspiration behind this blog! Playing an inter-country session of singing songs from our respective countries, the Indians began singing a classic Bollywood song - “Mere sapno ki rani”. And to our pleasant surprise, so did our friends from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh! Only this time they were adaptations of the same song in their own languages!! The result – 5 minutes of pure entertainment and joy as three nations sang along together – different in words, but hand in hand in melody!
With our several differences, cinema has continued to be one medium that caters to a ‘global audience’. Language becomes unimportant, while qualities like style, visualization, entertainment and connection with the audience gain precedence. As part of this program that brings together people from the four nations of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India and USA, this blog too will focus on the wide and diverse cinema industries of these four countries. So with that, here’s to timeless characters, enchanting music and powerful movies that together make the magical world of cinema!
Indeed cinema knows no boundaries! It is infact one of the best forms of cultural exchange and an agent which allows people from different countries to have shared experiences and common areas of reference. The stories it spawns off-camera are as colorful and inspiring as the ones on on-camera.
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