Being powder.....

To each of us, there are certain cinematic works which stand out, not so much because of their thematic brilliance, or fantastic execution, but because, once in a while, you see something on screen that you can relate to, on a profound and personal level. Recently, I came across just such a movie.

The movie is about a boy, nicknamed 'powder', from which it derives its title. Of course it must be borne in mind that most cinematic narrations are generally an over-exaggeration, most often to the point of absurdity, and this is no exception. But then you start to realise that the over-exaggeration is merely the director's attempt to make sure that his point gets across, even if it sometimes feels like a gross insult to the viewer's intelligence. That however, is a cursory point. so let me move on to what I wanted to write about, in my usual over complex and cryptic manner.

I'm not going to spoil the movie by divulging the plot line (because I think its something that's worth watching for anyone), but to summerize, lets just say this boy is different in every way possible, to everyone else. Of course, the script goes to the extreme of depicting him as a hairless albino in order to underline the alienation aspect, but given his 'abilities' it might actually not have been necessary. Ultimately though, the movie is a stark insight into what someone could go through if they were to see things as they really are. And it is at bringing out this particular point that the movie excels, in my opinion. Because ultimately, humanity is one big mess of floundering individuals unable to comprehend what exactly they are a part of. Everyone has their own interpretation of what they experience, which unfortunately seems to depend more on convenience than the result of a search for understanding. Whether this is due to lack of capacity, or the inherent materialism that we so easily slip into, is a question left to be answered; but either way the result is the same.

The aspect of this which, perhaps, struck a chord best with me was how the majority that is adherent to this gross naivety is so large, that it almost entirely consumes our race; so much so that it is almost impossible for anyone who sees beyond what everyone else sees, to really be a part of the reality around him. That is when the madness of it all is TRULY comprehensible. This is also the point at which you realize that the naivety is perhaps the more desirable option, which is ironic considering that it is most often this very enlightenment which everyone seeks..

Which brings me to point number three- is being different a 'gift' or a 'curse'? The interesting thing is that anyone who is considering the question from the point of someone who isn't really invested or a subject of the question, would jump to the conclusion that it is indeed a gift. So much so, that what I'm saying now (if properly understood) could even possibly be considered boastful and condescending. I'll reserve my opinion on the point, only requesting that the next time you're faced with a similar question where you're considering it as a subject rather than an objective third person, consider if and how your opinion differs from that of an objective third person.

Quite frankly, I wouldn't be suprised if none of what I said made any sense. Its quite possible, because (like so many other things I seem to go through) it may very well be impossible to grasp any of this if you haven't experience it. Because at the end of the day, there is a stark difference between 'understanding' technically, and true understanding. But that, is a discussion for another day....