Violence is in our blood.
It has to be, cause, it’s a manifestation of energy. A weak person can’t be violent.
Movies mirror our subconscious. Romance, sabotage, fear, exploitation, adventure, affection, protection, violence. These are very much part of us, which is why we relate to these depictions on the screen.
But, how we relate to these depends on how they are treated.
A violent moment can never be slow. It has to be hyper, uncontrollable and almost maddening. More so when it involves a mob. For this frenzy to be experienced to the point of the BP rising, everything has to move fast… unimaginably fast.
Which is what Athena excels in. One of those rare productions that places cinematography in the same league as that of the actors. It moves hand in hand with them. As fast. Sometimes, even faster.
I watched the movie on the recommendation of Prithviraj Sukumaran whose Kaapa is another cinematographic delight to watch, though in a different league.
I wondered what Prithviraj could’ve meant when he said in the interview that we shouldn’t even try to make a film like Athena. But, when I saw the film, I understood his humble intent – the mark of a great guy!
Directing the central characters is fine. But, how does one direct a wild mob? The scenes showing the mob-madness feel like footages shot by a news channel.
An almost impossible feat!
And, by the very same reason, an utterly inspiring lesson-session for an ardent movie-student like me.
Saint Maverick
SAINT MAVERICK 