Rastres de sàndal

Directed by María Ripoll and made in English and Catalan...but I felt that Nandita das is not at her usual best... loved Aina Clotet's performance though... based on the international best seller ...

¨Traces of Sandalwood¨ is a sensitive and warm film about two attractive sisters from remote countries . Despite her fame and fortune, Mina (Nandita Das) , a successful Indian actress in Mumbai , can't forget her little sister Sita, from whom she was forced to separate after their mother's death in a village. Thirty years later she will finally find out that Sita is alive and well in Barcelona. However, Sita's adoptive parents have erased all traces of her past. She is now called Paula (Aina Clotet) , works as a researcher in Biology and has no recollection of her Indian background, let alone of Mina . Faced with the shocking truths of her past and aided along the way by her budding romance with the handsome Indian immigrant Prakash (Naby Dakhli) she undertakes a far journey . A story of hope and love across Mumbai and Barcelona; from India to the Mediterranean and all the way back. Pain is universal. But so is hope.

Simple as well as moving film about an enjoyable relationship , including comedy , drama , emotion , sensitivity , spectacular Indian dances , a nice group of actors who worked extremely well together , along with colorful cinematography by Raquel Fernandez , stirring musical score from Zeltia Montes and Simon Smith , being compellingly directed by Maria Ripoll . Heartfelt tale dealing with Paula who begins a long journey of self-discovery , including a very well written plot both sad and funny. It is a dramedy (drama and comedy) concerning sensitive relationships , good feeling , emotion and touching scenes , including awesome interpretations with outcast roles were pretty well developed . Well-acted movie, photography is brilliant and full of metaphorical images for those of you who enjoy artsy movies and well worth watching. As the brooding plot becomes extremely affecting , containing a thoughtful message , remembering the true meaning of our existence and the things that actually matter in the troublesome life . I had a great time watching this movie , with many laughs and some tears. Resulting to be a stirring and charming tale of hope and love across Mumbai and Barcelona ; from India to the Mediterranean and all the way back .Furthermore , the picture gives an interesting point of sight of different cultures. The skills of the actors are very fine and professional. This movie represents very well issues from different life stages, and teaches the importance of family and dedicating time to work on fixing relationships . Here stands out the loving relationship between the two siblings as well the moving romance between Paula and her Indian boyfriend , with full of sensibility and attractiveness . Nevertheless , the film results to be sometimes slow-moving , at times .

Here stands out the luxurious cinematography shot on location in Bombay, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, La Pedrera, Parc Güell, Hotel Arts, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain . The motion picture was professionally directed by Maria Ripoll . Maria Ripoll was born in 1964 in Barcelona, Catalonia , Spain and considered to be one of the best Spanish female filmmakers . She is an expert director and assistant director , being especially known for the successful "Your Life in 65" (2006) , ¨Tortilla Soup¨ (2001) , ¨Lluvia En Zapatos¨ or ¨The Man with Rain in His Shoes¨ (1998) and ¨Rastres de Sàndal¨ (2014). Maria has directed known international stars , such as : Penélope Cruz , Lena Headey , Héctor Helizondo , Leonardo Sbaraglia , Tchéky Karyo , Jacqueline Obradors , Elizabeth Peña , Douglas Henshall , Mark Strong , among others . She also made a thriller that failed at box office titled ¨Utopia¨ with Najwa Nimri , José Garcia , Emma Vilarasau and Fele Martínez . And this ¨Vivir dos veces¨ (2019) that has got several nominations and prizes , such as : Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain 2015 Winner CEC Award Best Adapted Screenplay Anna Soler-Pont , Gaudí Awards 2015 Winner Best Film in Catalan Language Maria Ripoll , Anna Soler-Pont , Pontas Films Televisió de Catalunya (TV3) , Televisión Española (TVE) , Nominee Gaudí Award Best Female Lead : Aina Clotet , Best Production Manager : Josep Amorós , Best Art Direction : Anna Pujol Tauler , Best Supporting Actress : Rosa Novell , Best Original Score : Zeltia Montes , Simon Smith , Best Costume Design : Anna Güell , Best Make-Up and Hairstyles Concha Rodríguez , Goya Awards 2015 Nominee Goya Best Adapted Screenplay : Anna Soler-Pont , Montréal World Film Festival 2014 Winner Most Popular Film of the Festival Maria Ripoll.

Mina, an Indian actress successful in Mumbai, can not forget his sister Sita, who was forcibly separated after the death of his mother.

Thirty years later, Mina learns that Sita is alive and well in Barcelona. Now Paula says, is a biologist and has no memory of his past. Paula undertake the journey of discovery of his true identity with the help of Prakash, an Indian immigrant who sells sexy Bollywood films in the Raval district.

Based on the popular novel by Asha Miró and Anna Soler-Pont, traces of sandalwood is a luminous story that won the Audience Award last Film Festival Montreal

When two nations and it's two different culture meets. Well, I have been waiting for this movie since not so long. It's sad that it was released only in the domestic circuit, but international market would have popularised it. Usually audience welcome this kind multi- cultural themes. I would say poor promotions for such a wonderful movie. It's not a celebratable film, very artistic with the slight touch of Bollywood. The film was based on the book of the same name which deals with the contents on the basis of facts, mostly, about rural India to the first world.

It talks about how quickly the life changes. Whether it is good or bad, easy or hard, decisions have to be taken in some tight circumstances. So when you reach a certain point of your life and you look back, you would realise those turning points pulled you to this current life. This film about two sisters who forced to separate at an early stage of life, later who grown up in the different world reveals how they take the truth.

The story was short, which suits perfectly to be a short film. But this film managed to run long as the 90 minutes. The stretch was the only issue in this narration, because kind of teases being close to the conclusion but it does not. The topic was powerful, so all the lag are exploited to demonstrate the character bahaviours. More like discovering yourself, your past and your origin and all.

"What is painful is to wake up every single day not knowing if she's okay."

It was the ideal cast, I liked each and every character, well classified. But all the focus was on the two sisters and a slightly lets in the romance track as more like a subplot or to fill the void that much needed to stretch the story briefing. The story had a strong initiation and its ends with the same intensity. In the middle, it leaps too long ahead, leaving those journeys in the life that one must go through till to set free him/herself. That means to be an adult, so that you can determine your path.

The film's goal is to signify the two sister's stories together as much as possible, not individually. In some part of the movie, emotionally appeals. The end was good, though disappoints from the other side of the family. The solution was either way, but curiosity arises what might happen after the end. The scientists are looking for who we're and where did we come from, but many among us have their own identity crises. This kind of identity research films feels so good to watch. I recommend it for everyone, but remember you can't be me and you can't feel it as I did.

8/10