Blindness

A macabre take on how mankind would react to a global epidemic of blindness. Similar in concept to 'Lord of the flies', it shows how destruction is latent in normal people - like you and me. Nicely made - and deals with the 'supernatural' phenomenon in a manner very different to say how Manoj N Shyamalan would. No attempt in explaining, no heroes but just a depressing view of ourselves. From the maker of this series and an adaption of Jose Sarmago's novel of the same name, Blindness can be disturbing to many. But on the flipside, at the end of all of it one can look around with much satisfaction.

Rating: * * *

City of Men

TV Series

Fernando Meirelles spun this Brazilian series from his deadly flick, City of God. The settings and characters are similar, juxtaposing the life in a favela against the backdrop of gangsters and poverty. The camera trails two gawky kids, Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranhinja (Darlan Cunha) and their coming of age in this harsh surroundings. I was strangely reminded of Malgudi Days when the boys end up in situation that kind of parallel those that Swamy found himself in. But then someone would casually walk by with a gun shoved into his trouser and the illusion would end there. In spite of that the series is light hearted and has a streak of humor running through.

Movie

The film takes off with Acerola and Laranhinja about to turn 18. But the unlike the series the mood here is more darker and the violence seen in City of God creeps into the characters and storyline as the young men find themselves helplessly being sucked into the vortex of a gang war.

Rating: * * *