Category Archives: Arts and Entertainment

Cereal Cyrano

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The ubiquitous Aasif Mandvi is in a new televised cereal ad running in the States. General Mills, maker of Wheaties, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cheerios, is touting its switch to whole grain. The ad is filmed faux documentary style with washed-out colors. Mandvi plays a man-on-the-street having a hysterical paroxysm (NSFW) over cereal.

O Cheerios,
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more fibrous and more laxative…

I last saw Mandvi in Spiderman 2 playing Tobey Maguire’s demanding pizzeria boss. He’s got one of those faces which directors turn to for immigrant flava: he was in Analyze This as a doctor, Mystic Masseur as the lead, Die Hard 3 as ‘Arab cabbie’ (natch), American Chai and ABCD. He’s been all over the boob tube with guest appearances on CSI, Law & Order and Sex and the City, and he did a popular one-person play a few years ago called Sakina’s Restaurant.

Previous post here.

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Blood brother

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SM reader Ravi Swami is an animation designer, and I love what little of his work I’ve seen. His demo reel includes retro desi artwork, war propaganda-style satire, psychedelic flying Bugs and a kitschy robot that’s a cross between Sky Captain and Futurama.

Swami mashes up kaleidoscopes, lotus mandalas, Indian revolutionaries and multi-armed deities. Behind a Bollywood theater, London’s Erotic Gherkin lurks erect. It’s all set to the moody atmospherics of Domenico Modugno’s original recording of ‘Volare,’ popularized again by the Gipsy Kings. Watch the demo reel.

The Spitfire beer ad is quite witty: pouring a draught becomes a visual pun about rolling a fighter plane. Brill! The reel also includes a snippet of an animation called ‘Mr. and Mrs. Singh.’ Its visual style is tremendous, 3D with a watercolor look:

A few years ago Ravi developed a short film with Gurinder Chadha which was to be shown before the film Bend it Like Beckham. When the Channel 4 animation department folded, so did the short. A real shame because… such a high profile film [could] have helped to resurrect the feature film trailer as a legitimate forum for quality animation shorts… [Link]

Most of the desi bits in the demo reel are from his short film ‘Blood Sutra,’ with director Rajesh Thind and a title shared by a Vijay Iyer album. As part of a public health campaign, the short fights desi superstitions about donating blood. Paper doll doctors dance bhangra at the hospital; a phillum poster announces the debut of an Indian starlet, ‘Heema Globin.’

… Rajesh and Ravi have also gone for a rapid-fire episode series… Shorts within a short if you like. This approach may have something to do with Ravi’s early obsession with Zagreb School Animation and the ‘Mini-mini’ series. The influence of the animated one-minute gag can certainly be seen in ‘Blood Sutra.’ Ravi’s views on the irony of the communist Zagreb School evolving into the capitalist Red Bull adverts could spawn a whole Ph.D. thesis… [Link]

Most who mine old Indian health propaganda (‘An Ideal Boy‘) do so purely for art’s sake, winkily adorning a coffee table book or T-shirt. But Swami re-applies the parody to the source. What can you say about making doctor cutouts do a silly dance, then sticking them back in a hospital? It subverts without subverting. I’ve never had so much fun watching a health film. Watch the short (3:01).

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Next Weekend in SF: The Domestic Crusaders

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crusaders.jpg I know it seems like we only post cool things to do in NYC, L.A. or D.C. but yay urrea readers, take dil: this one’s for you. Next week, you should totally drag your friends and frenemies to Mutineer Manish’s old stomping grounds, for an evening at the theater.

You’ll be watching The Domestic Crusaders, a two-act play which takes place on a single day in the life of a multi-generational Pakistani-American family–a day, by the way, that happens to be the “baby’s” 21st birthday:

With a background of 9-11 and the scapegoating of Muslim Americans, the tensions and sparks fly among the three generations, culminating in an intense family battle as each “crusader” struggles to assert and impose their respective voices and opinions, while still attempting to maintain and understand that unifying thread that makes them part of the same family.

How’s that for salient? If you’re worried about whether or not it will be good, here’s what the Contra-Costa Times had to say about it:

Wajahat Ali didn’t set out to write an earthshaking play. The Berkeley student was taking a short story course from Pulitzer Prize nominee Ishmael Reed. When his professor pulled him aside and told him he was a natural playwright, Ali couldn’t believe it. “I thought it was pure nonsense,” Ali says. Reed encouraged Ali to write a Muslim-American response to 9-11. “All I wanted to do was pass a class,” says Ali, who succeeded in doing much more than that.

Hey. All you readers who have totally reasonable gripes with the media, for not covering a broader, more accurate world– this blockquote’s for you:

“Domestic Crusaders” represents Muslim-American voices that have not been heard because we are living in a country whose media is censored…
“In the largely Pakistani-American audience at the premiere of the play, people were roaring and falling off their chairs,” says Blank. “It’s the kind of audience most original playwrights would kill to be able to contact,” Blank says, laughing.

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“Ram Gopal Varma ka Sholay”?

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Oh, dear. Are they fixing what isn’t broken?

His recent hit film starring the Bachchans was an ode to one of his favourite films, The Godfather. Now, filmmaker Ramu is all set to remake one of India’s cult hits – Sholay. “More than The Godfather, Sholay is my favourite film. I entered movies because of the film and owe my career to it. I remember having seen the film 27 times. With Godfather, I did not exactly do a remake. But now, I want to remake Sholay in all its essence,” the filmmaker said soon after procuring the rights for the remake from the Sippys.

Well, she-it…I’ve seen The Sound of Music 92 times, but I’m not about to re-cast the family Von Trapp… 😉

There’s a reason why I loathe cover songs, they almost never measure up to the original. Aside from Dinosaur Jr’s explosive rendition of “Just like heaven“, I can do without remakes, thank you very much. Movies are no different. Sabrina? Pffft. But what do I know? Why buck a trend?

Reworking older hits seems to be the order of the day. After yesteryear hits like Devdas and Parineeta being remade, plans are on to remake films like Don, Teesri Manzil and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam.

How do you replace a legend? You don’t. (Or can’t, in my snarky opinion):

…he is unlikely to cast Abhishek Bachchan for Amitabh’s role. “The casting is still open. I do not plan to work with any direct descendant of the Bachchans and the Deols for this movie,” he says.

Well, now that THAT’S decided…book ’em, Dhann-o. Or perhaps just say “no”. To remakes, 😉 that is:

As for the setting of the film, he said, “The new Sholay will be set in contemporary Mumbai and the two heroes will be fighting against Samba, the underworld don. And Basanti will be the city’s first woman cab driver and her cab will be called Dhanno!”
The film will be called Ram Gopal Varma ka Sholay. He signed off saying, “People might say this is the height of arrogance. They might even think I’ve lost my head after my recent success.”

I don’t know about arrogance, but I’d vote for quixotic. What say you, SMers? And has anyone seen the brown Godfather? Continue reading →

No civilian deserves to die

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Thanks to my Salon subscription, whenever I want to, I get to read a publication I’d normally ignore —The New Republic Online. On the 8th, an article about the attack on London caught my attention. I’ve often said that the comments on this blog are what captivate me, that the discussions which spontaneously erupt under a post are the best part of the Mutiny. This week has proven no exception, as I am surprised and provoked by what some of you have said.

Your words made me think that a few of you might also want to read “Response Time”, by Joseph Braude, an essay about how Muslim groups responded to the terrorist attack on London, especially since SM regular Al Mujahid was repeatedly asked to provide “proof” that Muslim groups had denounced the terrorist bombing that rocked London’s transit system; he responded here and here. With that in mind, I found Braude’s piece even more salient.

Yesterday’s attack on the British people gave Muslims everywhere a chance to distance themselves from the radical Islamists who claim to have perpetrated it. While Muslim governments have taken the opportunity to speak out against the killing of innocents, Muslim Brotherhood offshoot groups failed to rise to the challenge. What they offered instead were statements full of equivocation–in marked contrast to other Arab politicians.*
Among Muslim heads of state, condemnation of the Al Qaeda “raid” was just as severe as the rest of the world’s. Jordan, the Gulf states, and Egypt as well as Syria and Iran all sent official condolences on behalf of the nation. Some went further: Egypt, whose ambassador to Iraq was also murdered by an Al Qaeda affiliate yesterday, called in its official press for seamless counterterrorist coordination between Arab countries and the West. In Europe and the United States, Muslim community organizations like Britain’s Muslim Council and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) were absolute in their condemnation: “barbaric crimes” which “can never be justified or excused,” according to CAIR; “hateful acts” which only “strengthen our determination to live together in peace,” says the Muslim Council.

The response from Hamas was predictable:

Hamas, on the other hand, laid ultimate blame for the attack on aggression against Arabs and Muslims. In an official communiqué from Gaza, the movement declared:
We call upon all states and influential international societal forces to bring about an end to all forms of occupation, aggression, oppression, and discrimination directed against the Arab and Islamic nation–particularly in Palestine, Iraq, and Afghanistan–because the continuation of these acts offers an environment of tension and repression which naturally leads to a continuance of the likes of these acts and explosions.

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Sanjay finds a loophole

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The talented artist behind Ghee Happy just published a short graphic story in a new comic anthology with fellow Pixar employees (via Boing Boing). Sanjay Patel’s story, ‘Loopholes,’ is in an anthology called Afterworks. The coworkers call their venture E-Ville Press, named after Pixar’s Emeryville location. Patel is selling the anthology and a new T-shirt at Comic Con in San Diego, July 13-17:

 

In case you’re confused, the artwork suitable for toddlers is the one on the left. I figured that out all by myself despite, I swear, never having been to a comic book convention in my life.

Previous post here.

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TOMORROW in DC: Sachal Vasandani

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Jazz Vocalist Sachal Vasandani will give a concert at the unbelievably gorgeous National Cathedral in DC tomorrow evening at 7:30pm. (Thanks, Kiran!)

With a flair for infusing the familiar with a fresh, original sensibility entirely his own and an ability to write songs of a diverse and popular style, Vasandani has captured the attention of the jazz world over the past few years from coast to coast and is quickly climbing towards the top of the music scene.
“Sachal Vasandani’s singing reveals emotion and intellect,” says Wynton Marsalis, artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. “Versed in the blues, standards, and modern jazz…his sound is consistent and unique.”

Get there a bit early if you can; the grounds of the Cathedral are just swoon-worthy (and perfect for picnics). Check out the Bishop’s Garden, to the left of the massive edifice– it’s one of the most beautiful parts of DC, IMO

In case you didn’t click one of the earlier links, I’ll quote Mutineer Manish’s review of the talented Mr. Vasandani right herre:

Because of the friend connection, I wasnÂ’t expecting more than a pleasant evening out. And though I love jazz classics, IÂ’m not fan enough to dig the dissonance of an improv jam session. Vasandani emerged from the gloom of rear stage. He was tall and floppy-haired and stood a bit stiffly, like a pre-makeover John Mayer. He wore a blazer, but he wasnÂ’t as natty as chart-topping young fogies like Harry Connick Jr. and swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. We plunged into our sidecars and lemon drops and waited for the show to begin.
When Vasandani opened his mouth, we utterly forgot about the drinks. The first time you hear a magnetic singer pull from his bag of vocal tricks, itÂ’s like falling in love. Those who hadnÂ’t heard him before were shocked.

Manish noted that Sachal sounds like other popular artists and I actually think this can be a good thing. A lot of people are either intimidated by or unsure of Jazz– though they’ll dance happily to standards at weddings and the like. If the location (like I said: swoon) and price (free) weren’t attractive enough, then the knowledge that you aren’t going to be subjected to something terribly difficult to listen to should close the deal.

Pictures of the venue, after the jump. Continue reading →

Why Aren’t US Conservatives Bollywood Fans?

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Marginal Revolution (tongue-in-cheek-ly) wants to know–

Conservatives love to rant about the evils of Hollywood. Too much sex and violence. Inappropriate for the family. Religion gets short shrift. Fair enough, a lot of Hollywood fare isn’t fit for the 13 and under crowd. Here’s my question: why aren’t conservative media critics rushing en masse to sing the praises of Bollywood films? Michael Medved, where are you?

Consider the following Bollywood film conventions:

1. No sex. If you’re lucky, you might see some wet sari.

2. The films often revolve around finding a wonderful spouse and getting married.

3. The bigger the wedding, the better…

Read the rest. 😉 Continue reading →

Johnny Kalsi @ Live8

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Even though I am in Sri Lanka away from all of the juicy news stories, I have been keenly made aware of the lack of multicultural representation in the originally planned musical lineup for the groundbreaking Live8 concert in support of debt relief for the various struggling economies of Africa. As of June 11, according to this protest letter/press release, only one confirmed act for any of the six international events was from a developing country. kalsi.jpg

Is it that uncalled for to ask that a couple of Asian or African bands be included in the line-up, it can’t be, can it?

Perhaps Live8 heard the complaints, because before I could get too worked up, I received a press release highlighting the involvement of pioneering Asian drummer, Johnny Kalsi, of the Dhol Foundation in the LIVE 8 Africa Calling concert with the legendary Peter Gabriel at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK. The Africa Calling show, ran for more than ten hours and featured over 200 African artists as part of the worldwide LIVE 8 celebrations and afforded Kalsi the opportunity to pose with Angelina Jolie.

And if you don’t know about Kalsi, you should, because he has been on the scene for a long time. Kalsi is a former member of the legendary Asian Dub Foundation, and has, and continues to play an active part as member of the Afro Celt Sound System. His group, The Dhol foundation has released two full length albums Big Drum, Small World, and the newly released “DrumBelievable,” and Kalsi’s music has appeared on the official soundtracks for The Hulk and Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York. Continue reading →

Never shake your bucket of nuts too soon!

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I am always keeping an eye out for that next rush, even during the periods of my life where the money isn’t all that available. The key to any great adventure is long term planning, patience, and positive visualization. Visualization in my case includes marrying rich. Time Magazine’s Asia edition has a list of the best adventures in Asia. Two of them in particular stood out (thanks for the tip Punbaji Boi):

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In the Indian hill resort of Manali, Tibetan Peter Dorje runs an operation dedicated to the most implausible extreme sport in the world: yak skiing. In winter, he takes up to five skiers and his herd of beasts to the hills above town, making overnight camp. Come morning, Pete heads to a high slope with the yaks, trailing out a rope behind him. You wait below, wearing your skis and holding a bucket of pony nuts. When Pete reaches the top, he ties a large pulley to a tree, loops the rope through it and onto a stamping, snorting yak. Now it’s your turn—and this is the important part. First tie yourself onto the other end of the rope, then shake the bucket of nuts and quickly put it down. The yak charges down the mountain after the nuts, pulling you up it at rocket speed. If you forget yourself in the excitement and shake the bucket too soon, you’ll be flattened by two hairy tons of behemoth. Or as Pete says, “Never shake the bucket of nuts before you’re tied to the yak rope.” This piece of Himalayan sagacity can be restated in many ways that apply to everyday life: do things in their proper order, make adequate preparations before embarking on a risky venture, and so on.

Yak skiing not your thing my friend? Well how about Discharging Firearms in Darra Adam Khel, Pakistan?

Forty kilometers south of Peshawar, deep inside Pakistan’s tribal belt, lies the village of Darra Adam Khel. It’s an area few foreigners will ever visit—unless, of course, they are surreptitiously waging the U.S.-led war on terror or trying to elude it. Yet for anyone else who manages to pass through the roadblocks to enter Darra, it’s the perfect place to release pent-up stress. The village has just one industry of note: ordnance. Darra is the arms factory of the tribal areas, and pumps out everything from pistols to anti-aircraft weaponry. Wander into any of the many mom-and-pop-style workshops, choose your weapon, haggle over the price of bullets or shells, and stroll out with the equipment into the bush. Besides being rather nice to look at, the surrounding rocks and trees also make for excellent target practice. Once you’ve finished debarking a tree with an AK-47, you can head back to civilization a better, calmer person for this cathartic experience. Think of it as a harmless outlet for the warrior that lurks within you.

Ummm. No. I’ll pass thank you. It is true that a warrior does lurk within me, however, I already got pre-selected for additional security screening both to and from Atlanta this past weekend. I have no intention of making things worse for myself.

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