In Parava, a school teacher makes a failure student the leader of the class he is going to repeat. That is the kind of motivation I want in real life. And that is the kind of fresh and crisp writing you will find in the film as two streetwise kids, played amazingly by newcomers, practice for an upcoming pigeon flying tournament in Mattanchery, a town in Kerala, India known for its diverse culture, effervescent attitudes, and a dark criminal undercurrent. Director Soubin Shahir sheds light into one too many stark social issues that hamper life in the town, including the growing drug menace, child marriage, and gang rivalries we last saw in Angamaly Diaries, but ultimately focuses on the game. I can only imagine the difficulty in filming those pigeons, shots of which are as awe-inspiring as the rest of the film's. Although a trim would have made this platter tastier, the story is heavily compelling and filled with warm doses of friendship and life stories in general. There's a certain cordiality that encapsulates the narrative and that's exactly where the film shines. Solid attention to detail that make you smile, beautifully-structured captivating score, and the controlled decency while talking about porn and menstruation to avoid sexual innuendos just for the laughs are what makes Parava a film to watch, treasure, and revere. It's nothing like I remember seeing in Malayalam cinema.
