Life of Pi
Directed by: Ang Lee
Written by:
David Magee (screenplay)
Yann Martel (novel)
Starring: Suraj Sharma – Pi Patel- Irrfan Khan – Adult Pi Patel Ayush Tandon – Pi Patel (11/12 Years)

Not only has Ang Lee managed to create a stunningly crafted visual movie but he’s also successfully provided a truly captivating story. With little knowledge of the novel, on the face of it Life of Pi movie quotes serves up an engaging metaphor with a heartfelt message about living with faith when our will is being tested to its limits. The story revolves around Piscine Molitor, who goes by the name Pi Patel, and he tells his remarkable story of being shipwrecked to a writer and how his family dies and he ends up being stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a life boat with Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, and it’s the story of how they survive together that creates the parable with the narrative focusing on the idea of survival and spirituality. Life of Pi is one of those movies where the ending and it’s message can be interpreted in multiple ways and has been left entirely up to the viewer’s perception. Whether or not you believe it or can relate to it is up to you, but one thing is guaranteed; it will give rise to many interesting discussions.

The Commitments (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Plot[edit]

Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) aspires to manage the world’s greatest band, with only one music in mind: soul. Disgusted with bands in Ireland, he assembles a soul band in the tradition of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and Wilson Pickett. Jimmy holds auditions at his parents’ home and assembles a group of young musicians. Unlike his idols, Jimmy’s band is white. With the help of Joey “The Lips” Fagan, the veteran musician of the band who has unlikely stories about meeting and working with famous musicians, Jimmy begins to whip the members into shape – coming together beautifully onstage, only to have the group fall apart in a clash of egos.

Roger Ebert’s REVIEW
Cast
Films about: WORK WORLD -Film: DEVIL WEARS PRADA A naive young woman comes to New York and scores a job as the assistant to one of the city’s biggest magazine editors, the ruthless and cynical Miranda Priestly. Director: David Frankel Writers: Aline Brosh McKenna (screenplay), Lauren Weisberger (novel) Stars: Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep and Adrian Grenie

Plot Summary

The Devil Wears Prada

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The story tells the professional adventure of Andrea, whose greatest dream is to become a journalist. Andrea gets a job in the fashion industry through Runway magazine, the most famous of its type, to make ends meet. But Andrea won’t develop her writing skills in the magazine, but her talents as the editor in chief’s assistant, Miranda. The problem is that Miranda is a merciless, posh and cruel woman, making the experience a living hell for the girl. The environment in the place will be cold and extremely critical with the physical appearance. The girl will have to change her simple and plain style, for a more trendy and elegant one, in order to gain the acceptance of her ruthless boss and colleagues, specially Emily, her unpleasant workmate. Despite everything against Andrea in the office, she will consider the experience as a challenge, drastically changing her clothes and self-image, with the help of Nigel, the magazine’s art director. Nevertheless, the job becomes extremely demanding, because of Miranda’s tough work rhythm and nearly impossible tasks, leaving Andrea without a private life with her boyfriend, family and friends. Maybe the old Andrea has gone, now more preoccupied about her image and her future in the magazine. Written by Alejandro Frias

Listen to Anne Wintour, director of VOGUE magazine USA. Miranda´s character was inspired in her.What similarities and differences can you see between them?

What do you think about this Loewe ad? I really hope ALL of you have something to say about it to have an interesting debate.

You can see on the internet some of the “parody ads” many people have made(althoug the original ad is probably “the best”). We will talk about them later on.

CLEAN CLOTHES CAMPAIGN
Asia Floor wage by country

FOOD:

Estómago (by Marcos Jorge Brazil) It describes the rise of an idiot with a talent for haute cuisine cooking, and in a very original touch it tells the same story twice with the same protagonist: once in prison and once as a flashback in the free world. It is an odd hybrid which can best be described as “Ratatouille” (yes, the Pixar movie) meets “Carandiru” (yes, the Brazilian prison drama). This film is one of those happy discoveries you can only have at a film festival. A sexy mix of comedy, good food and violence, Marcos Jorge’s film actually made me hungry while watching it. More after the break… The Story: Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a country simpleton who arrives penniless in a big Brazilian city. Doing odd-jobs at a snack bar for food and lodging only, his future seems dire until he is allowed to assist with the food. Suddenly it turns out Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him the affection of prostitute Íria, who is happy to share his bed on occasion in return for good food. When he quickly gets snatched up by the owner of a fancy restaurant it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up… But alas, this is all a flashback, because the present is quite different: Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a simpleton who arrives in jail, banished to a cell he has to share with seven others. Beaten into the filthiest corner for being the new guy, his future seems dire until he lets slip of the fact that he can actually cook. His cellmates discover that Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him a little respect from top-dog Bujiú, which increases his status. When Bujiú plans a feast to win the favor of feared imprisoned crime boss Etcetera it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up… But how will his prison adventure end? And why did he have to go to prison in the first place? Babette´s Feast (Academy Award in 1986 for Best Foreign Film).

ANTHROPOLOGY/MUSIC…Gadjo Dilo (The Crazy Stranger)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERxlo6F4sWo

Directed by Tony Gatlif
Romania / France 1997

Endearingly shaggy comedy-drama, improvised around the thinnest wisp of plot: genial, wild-haired young Frenchman Stephane (Romain Duris) arrives in a remote Romanian village in search of Nora Luca, a Gypsy singer much loved by his late father. The local Roma community is initially hostile, but gradually accept Stephane after he first befriends blustery oldster Izidor (Izidor Serban), and then local ‘bad girl’ Sabina (Rona Hartner).

But this narrative is really just an arbitrary framework on which Algerian-Gypsy Gatlif strings colorful vignettes illustrating the richness of Roma life. He’s out to celebrate a remarkable culture that survives in Europe’s hidden corners, one whose Eastern roots are clearly exposed in the frequent bouts of singing and dancing.
Gadjo Dilo is much more successful in terms of anthropology and good-time atmosphere than as a feature-film drama.

CINEMA ABOUT OTHER CONTINENTS:
INDIA
SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE by Danny Boyle