Never Ending Movie Carnival
Never Ending Movie Carnival
Last Film Show (Chhello Show) movie review: A Beautiful, Magical, Celebration Of Cinema!
What: Chhello Show (English title - Last Film Show) by Pan Nalin - the Guajarati language India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards is a beautiful, magical celebration of cinema – making and watching. Last Film Show is one of the most fascinating movie watching experience in theatres in recent times.
Last Film Show (Chhello Show) movie synopsis
Samay (Bhavin Rabari), a 9-year-old son of a Brahmin chaiwala (Dipen Raval) in Chalala – a remote station in Gujarat discovers films for the first time and is absolutely mesmerized. Against his father's wishes, he returns to the cinema day after day to watch more films, and even befriends the projectionist, Fazal (Bhavesh Shrimali), in exchange for his lunch box, lets him watch movies for free.
Fazal relishes those aromatic and exotic bharva baigan, bhindi, undiyo, etc passionately cooked by his Baa (mother) - Richa Meena. While Samay gets mesmerized by the magic of cinema watching Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar etc on the silver screen through the projector room spreading joy.
Samay starts believing that stories become light, light becomes films, and films become dreams. Samay and his wild gang of friends create a unique 35mm film projection machine made out of a ceiling fan, a broken-down sewing machine and other things from scarp. Their joy knew no bounds but dreams and destiny are not often partners in the journey called life.
Last Film Show (Chhello Show) movie review
Long Live Lumière brothers, Dada Saheb Phalke, Satyajit Ray, Manmohan Desai, etc, etc and of course Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) – winner Grand Prix du Jury Cannes Film Festival (1989), Oscar – Best Foreign Language Film (1989) and the Golden Globe Awards same year.
Pan Nalin's Gujarati film Chhello Show (Last Film Show) is a continuous ode to all the above mentioned greats right from the first frame till the very end.
Chhello Show (Last Film Show) is not just a movie that celebrates cinema and its making; it’s also a melancholic statement on the death of that great old projector by digitalization.
Pan Nalin’s brilliance in his use of metaphors like the train (the means of transport for Samay to the theatre in the neighborhood is also a reflection of the great Lumière brothers iconic ‘Arrival Of A Train (1896). The train becomes an important tool over here.
Pan Nalin remarkably mixes the harsh reality of Samay with the dreamy world of cinema.
Samay the nine year old son of a Brahmin who had lost his wealth due to a betrayal and has to survive by selling chai at a remote station in Gujarat called Chalala (a place in Gujarat in reality) is not found of films and his seldom visit to theatres is courtesy of those religious mythological like Jai Mahakali.
But one such visit to a neighborhood theater changes the life of Samay who is fascinated by that light coming out from the projector penetrating through the darkness like a ray of hope.
Father is hopeful that Samay will study and find a respectable means of earning while Samay wants to become a film.
The influence of Giuseppe Tornatore’s great classic (Cinema Paradiso) steps in and Samay develops a special bond with the projectionist Fazal (Bhavesh Shrimali).
As if Alfredo and Salvatore from Cinema Paradiso have taken a new avatar in Gujarat but am not complaining, some cynics may.
Last Film Show is also about life and how to take it positively, Samay with his friends make that unique projection machine. The entire sequence is beamed with passion and innovation. The magic is felt and when those kids give that sound effect – it’s priceless.
How the magic of cinema can transport you to another world, you don,t need high quality equipments and superior Dolby sound, all you need is light and passion.
This may appear escapist and extra dreamy but isn,t this the reason we and our forefathers have visited cinema.
Pan Nalin does what the masters like Chaplin, Ray, Fellini, Mazidi etc have done. Narrated a story through a child and rekindled our childhood in Chhello Show as well. Last Film show is a refreshingly unique coming of age saga as well.
Performance
Bhavin Rabari as Samay is bundle of talent. Outstandingly terrific.
Bhavesh Shrimali as Fazal is superb.
Dipen Raval as Samay's father is very natural.
Richa Meena as Baa leaves an impression
From the kids Vikas Bata as Nano and late Rahul Koli (who met with an unfortunate death on October 2 due to leukemia) as Manu are fantastic.
Alpesh Tank as Mr. Dave, teacher has his moments.
Technicalities
Brilliantly crafted piece of cinema. Swapnil S. Sonawane cinematography is pure class. Shreyas Beltangdy and Pavan Bhat editing is smooth. Music by Cyril Morin keeps the momentum going at a steady pace.
Final words
Last Film Show (Chhello Show) is a reminder of your first movie experience in theatres and beyond. Pan Nalin’s beautiful, magical, celebration of cinema also rekindles your childhood and it’s the most fascinating movie experience in recent times. If you love cinema than Last Film Show (Chhello Show) is the ticket you cannot afford to miss.
Last Film Show Chello Show movie review in Hindi
A child born from life & fed by cinema. A filmi keeda from child & a film journalist for the last fifteen years. a father, seeker, foodie who loves crooning bollywood melodies twitter.com/cineblues More By vishal verma