Valley of Flowers

Being in St. Petersburg, in Russia of today, films like Valley of Flowers are really welcomed. Like some other viewers I did find the film long. It plays beyond two and half hours and apparently theatrical released version is shorter by some 30/40 minutes.

I've immensely enjoyed this stunning film. I'm happy to ignore the weaknesses in editing and acting but my full marks goes to its daring originality, innovative theme and unexplored locations.

Somehow, the film compelled me to return to the cinema for a second viewing. Second time, to my surprise, I enjoyed the film even more. And I did not even find it longer.

Personally, I have not heard about this director or seen any of his earlier films but one thing is certain that his command on the craft of film-making is of top level. His grasp of cinematic styles and sound design shows sensitive and perceptive mind he posses.

He truly masters the valley of silence sequence in the film. This scene alone is something one has never seen in films before. No music, no sound effects, no folyes... and the filmmaker carries the scene breathtakingly well. And manages to keep the spectators on the edge of their seat.

Another great achievement is "time walk" sequence, creation of the character of Yeti also deserves a special mention.

Two Ushnas are Devin and sexy. The ambiance of Tokyo scenes is hauntingly beautiful. The filmmaker does not waste any time by showing us cityscapes and establishing shots - instead he remains focused on Jalan's loneliness & immortality.

My favorite part is the end but should not be revealed. The last image of Yeti's feet taking a "time walk" but in the opposite direction -the nature's balance is restored- is one of the most satisfactory and subtle end in recent cinematic history.

Like others, I fail to understand why no one is talking about this film? Why is it not shown in some high profile festivals? This films deserves a big release as big as its canvas is.

I fail to understand why there is no promotion at all, except the odd and meaningless poster we have seen here in Russia?

Are we the few odd users to love this film? or we are just simply nuts.

I had recently had an occasion to discover VALEY OF FLOWERS. Lot has been said about this film. Thus I would only add that Nalin has played with very dangerous theme and cinematic structure; he comes out as truly talented director, a filmmaker with vision.

But these days the film journalism and criticism is not a pleasant place to be. It is often short sighted and fails to see a great talent behind each work.

My curiosity lead me to spend days and weeks to get hold of some of the remarkable films made by Pan Nalin prior to SAMSARA.

When Pan Nalin was barely 20 years of age, he made breathtaking 20 minute short fiction titled KHAJURAHO. This short film is excellent, has a vision, a unique vision. Shot in CinemaScope and Black and White -it is a sheer poetry in motion. Whether we like it or not a director was born that day.

Apparently Nalin made many silent shorts between the age of 16 to 20 but KHAJURAHO was the first film he was able to complete. I could not track any of his earlier works.

Later, Nalin and his crew put their lives in danger when they went to shoot NAGAS, a documentary on wildest of tribe of North-Eastern India. No filmmaker had ventured there before -and after since the Naga was made in 1995.

Similar attempt were made while making simple but bold documentaries like TULKUS or DEVADASIS.

I was surprised to read some negative criticism on the Net about recent works of Pan Nalin. Valley of Flowers is his (only) second feature!!! Come on, give this guy a break!!!

Most of the film critics failed to remember that what was the first and second films of Hitchcock, Kurosawa, Wong Kar Wai, Bergman, Antonioni.... were like???

I am not hear to defend Pan Nalin, whoever he maybe, but filmmakers in General. First and Second and even third movies of film directors are often like Soparano Singers shaping the color of his/her voice. Give those guys some time. They will master melodies which will move you to tears -if not you have a right to massacre them!

Filmmaker like Pan Nalin, if they were in Hollywood making English language movies, they would have got much better attention.

We should remember how hard it is to make an original work of cinema in Asia or Africa. Often you are not only struggling to make the film of your dream but also trying to feed the family of fifteen at same time!

Someone like Pan Nalin are gifted to give us a meaningful entertainment. They are capable of pulling the best out of Hollywood. Remember, very rarely a Hollywood director will write his own script. Nalin has proved his talent for excellent screen writing with both SAMSARA and VALLEY OF FLOWERS.

Directors like Pan Nalin are truly "International Director" in the line of Inarritu or Meirelles; They make the new cinema, new entertainment and new world we live in - a most fascinating place to be -enjoy and celebrate the life the way it is and not the way you are.

I might sound biased but first of all I love all kind of love stories in cinema.

Valley of Flowers is a great love story -the one where magic plays a role.

And I have a passion for exceptional love stories and romances. Valley of Flowers makes you dream. Its a romanticism with layers of fear -fear of life, death, demon, rebirth...

It's set in very romantic Himalayas and moves onto very seductive Tokyo. Girls are gorgeous! Guys are cool and Game is dangerous -that of human vs demon.

All that unfolds in magnificent vistas -amazing locations. The film has great production value and specially the costume design is exquisite!

Extra bonus, it is inspired from Alexandra David Neel's book. Thus it is real treat for the fan of Alexandra's dark world of magic and mysteries of Tibet and Himalayas.

In Japanese part of the movie when film slides into modern world from early 19th century, there is also a wonderful scene with BARDO (Tibetan Book of The Dead) based euthanasia.

Its great concept: what do you do once you become immortal and you can not die -help others die.

It's not so often we see in cinema Asian interpretation of love. Valley of Flowers is to be watched with open mind. It is not an easy film, mind you.

Valley of Flowers is slow and I like slow movies -I cant bear Hollywood's fast cutting any longer.

The only problem with valley of Flowers is that it is loaded with too many great ideas and concepts -many don't succeed. Maybe it is an over-ambitious adventure from writer director Pan Nalin whose SAMSARA is my all time favorite film. SAMSARA is in my list of "10 movies to watch before you die."

Sorry, Valley of Flowers is not in that list but its a brilliant attempt towards unknown. Pan Nalin is a rising sun of the east -in just two feature films he has proved talent worth of five features. I agree, he is a filmmaker to watch out for.

For Valley of Flowers; If you live on popular cinema then avoid it. But if you are in mood to let your mind do gymnastic then I would say JUST GO FOR IT! It is a rare kind of movie. It has a magic and mystery -and lots of sensuality.

I am probably the only person who has seen TWO Valley of Flowers the one I saw in Delhi and second I saw today here in Turkey at the Gala premiere of Eurasian Film Festival where Valley.. is competing with some of the best films from Europe and Asia.

In Delhi I had really loved the movie -thus here in Antalya I wanted to go and see it again with friends but little did I know that the film was violently butchered down by good 40 minutes from its original version!!

Here, I disliked the film.

Does anyone know why? OR is it one of those same old song of "creative differences" where producers and distributors get to chop movies to make them commercially viable?!

If that is the case -then it is sad. Because the director's cut was long but played hypnotically well for me. The film's theme is powerful and rare. And I agree with other comments that the film will have tough time finding its audience. However I do NOT agree with the comments from ChomChom India -it sounds more like Jealousy or Bitterness then a serious comment. And ChomChom from India should not generalise, I was also present at the very same screening and me and my friends loved the picture.

Pan Nalin's Valley of Flowers would surely add a new angle to many Buddhism based movies. The whole idea of impermanence and laws of karma is portrayed in delightful modern way. Valley has Japanese MANGA like quality and interwoven web of deep Asian philosophy. The film is full of codes, most are difficult to decipher unless you pay close attention. Followers of Eastern Religion and Philosophy will be able to point out these symbols.

Another reason I loved Valley... is because it reminded me of Antonioni's "The Passenger" -the lead, Jack Nicholson plays reporter who does his time in the desert and steals identity of a dead arm trafficker. Then he meets Maria Schneider character, love blossoms and together they travel into the oblivion... Like Jelan and Usna of Valley of Flowers.

Nalin manages to render his story with shades of greys and black. He keeps on fighting with the pace like a warrior but does not succeed. However he leaves you with unforgettable impressions, poetry, ideas...

If you do get opportunity to see Valley's Director's Cut don't miss it. However, If you are going to see the butchered version of 2hr then you better visit the official website of the film (www.valleyofflowers.com) and understand the story and background.

If not you just MIGHT not get it -like ChomChom from India.

Forty plus years ago, when I sat in a third run theater on Hollywood Blvd watching Lawrence of Arabia, I knew that my life must change and that I had to get out there, into the world, and enjoy what it had to offer. Fortunately I was able to do so to a significant degree. Since that time, I have never had a cinematic experience that not only equaled it but exceeded it, in that way. The film opens in the Himilayas at 16,000' altitude and proceeds to take you higher and higher. After 2 1/2 hours you wish it would not end. Not only the landscape of the mountain passes but the real people who live there made my eyes want to be able to see more, deeper, faster with greater ability to never forget what I saw. I'm really confident that this film will stand the test of time on that issue. It is a story that I would not believe could be told on film being down and dirty exotic real life and at the same time an uplifting spiritual experience. I'll see it again as soon as they get a distributor.