"12th Fail"

"12th Fail" Film Analysis

Purpose of this Blog:

This blog is assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad for the screening of '12th Fail' at the Department of English. I will explore how films can be a part of higher education, aiding in the understanding of various socio-cultural dynamics. In this post, I attempt to delve into the significance of this movie.

A Journey into Educational Innovation with Literature and Film

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Theatrical release poster

Introduction:

"12th Fail" is a 2023 biographical drama film in the Hindi language, helmed, produced, and scripted by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The movie draws inspiration from Anurag Pathak's 2019 non-fiction book of the same name, recounting the remarkable life journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma. Overcoming severe poverty, Sharma eventually achieved the prestigious position of an Indian Police Service officer.  

Storyline:

The trials and tribulations of a poor student Manoj (Vikrant Massey) from Bilgaon in Chambal and the near magical route to becoming an IPS Officer is this inspirational saga. He comes from a lower middle-class family where his dad is fighting his legal battles, his mom, and siblings’ lives. With him things are comparatively simple till the local Inspector Dushyant (Priyanshu Chatterjee) bans mass copying. However, the incident leaves him inspired and at the next attempt, he takes the examination honestly. Dad Ranveer (Harish Khanna) and Mom (Geeta Aggarwal) find the tides in Chambal tough. Grandma (the talented Sarita Joshi) is the tough nut who brooks no nonsense and imbibes the fighting spirit in the family. (Ravichander)

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/011123/12th-fail-movie-review.html

Directed by	Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Written by	Vidhu Vinod Chopra Jaskunwar Kohli
Based on	12th Fail by Anurag Pathak
Produced by	Vidhu Vinod Chopra Yogesh Ishwar
Starring	Vikrant Massey Medha Shankar Anant V Joshi Anshumaan Pushkar
Narrated by	Anant V Joshi
Cinematography	Randarajan Ramabadran
Edited by	Jaskunwar Kohli Vidhu Vinod Chopra
Music by	Shantanu Moitra
Production company	Vinod Chopra Films
Distributed by	Zee Studios
Release date	27 October 2023
Running time	146 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Hindi

👆Wikipedia: 12th fail

https://english.jagran.com/education/ips-officer-success-story-meet-ips-officer-manoj-kumar-sharma-who-inspired-the-story-12th-fail-film-10125087

Theoretical Framework:

[1] Aerial View/ High Angle Scene:

The aerial perspective serves to underscore the protagonist's vulnerable position, emphasizing their lack of power. Conversely, a wide-angle view provides a comprehensive tableau, allowing the audience to observe the scene in its entirety and effectively communicate the intended message within the context of film analysis.

[2] Interview Waiting Room Scene/ Top Angle:

A 90-degree top-angle shot, also known as a bird's-eye view.

If an interviewer's (Manoj) entry into a waiting room is captured using a 90-degree top-angle shot, it signifies a perspective from directly above. This shot may be employed to emphasize the interviewer's presence to the waiting room. 

It provides a comprehensive view, showcasing the room's layout, the people present, and the overall atmosphere. 

It allows the audience to observe the scene from a position of heightened visibility. It might also be used to highlight specific details or dynamics within the waiting room setting.

[3] Exam Hall:

A high-angle shot in an exam hall, combined with a slow zoom in, creates a specific cinematic effect. It may highlight the structured and formal nature of the environment, adding a layer of tension or pressure.

The slow zoom in enhances this effect by drawing the audience's attention to specific details or individuals in the exam hall. It builds anticipation and can evoke a more intimate connection with the characters, allowing the viewers to feel the intensity of the moment as the camera narrows its focus.

Together, the high-angle shot and slow zoom in can create a dramatic and immersive atmosphere, capturing the emotions and dynamics within the exam setting.

[4] Sound of Firecrackers & Camera Movement :

This dynamic camera movement creates a sense of disorientation and chaos.

The juxtaposition of the joyous sounds and the visual turmoil underscores the severity of the situation. The use of firecrackers, typically associated with celebration, serves as an ironic backdrop to the unfortunate event, highlighting the deceptive nature of the surroundings.

Inspiring Quotes in the frame:

Contextualization:

Police Station Scene:

In the police station, Manoj utilizes his knowledge of legal principles and constitutional rules to secure the release of his friend Pandey. This portrayal of knowledge serves as a powerful tool, demonstrating that Manoj's understanding of the law empowers him to navigate the legal system effectively. It highlights the idea that knowledge, when applied strategically, can be a source of authority and influence, allowing individuals to assert their rights and make informed decisions within a legal context.

In the earlier situation, when he and his brother were unjustly imprisoned. Manoj lacked the legal understanding to advocate for their rights effectively. 

This evolution underscores the transformative impact of knowledge, portraying it as a catalyst for empowerment and the ability to navigate complex situations with legal implications.

Respect :

The connection between respect and position is evident as the guard pays respect to Manoj due to his qualification as an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. This dynamic reflects the societal tendency to accord respect based on an individual's position or authority. In this case, Manoj's achievement of becoming an IPS officer has elevated his status, and the guard acknowledges this accomplishment by showing respect. It highlights how societal structures often tie respect to positions of authority or notable achievements, emphasizing the influence that one's professional standing can have on interpersonal interactions.

Power Struggles: Political Power's Involvement

Be it the cheating mafia working under political patronage to keep the masses ignorant or the excruciatingly slow wheels of justice that break the spirit of the common man, Chopra perceptively captures the everyday discrimination and dehumanization that pushes the deprived to seek posts that exude power.(Kumar)

The movie '12th Fail' skillfully exposes prevalent societal issues, including the influence of a cheating mafia with political backing and the sluggishness of the justice system. 

Comparative Analysis:

Comparison with "Madam Geeta Rani" (2020) [Raatchasi: Originally in Tamil]

Portrayal of Corruption in the Education System.

Manoj Sharma: If citizens were educated, it could be a real problem for leaders. (“12th Fail (2023)”)

In the initial part of the movie, the dire state of educational institutions, particularly schools, is depicted. The presence of politicians exacerbates the negative impact on education, suggesting their influence is detrimental. The movie sheds light on the corruption within the education system, exemplified by the character "Madam Geeta Rani." Her portrayal likely serves as a commentary on the corrupt practices that compromise the integrity of the educational sector. Overall, this narrative choice may aim to critique the societal issues surrounding education, such as political interference and corruption, and their adverse effects on the learning environment.

Difference:

The films "12th Fail" and "Madam Geeta Rani" showcase characters with different goals within the context of education and societal change. In "12th Fail," Manoj seeks to bring about change by gaining power in the form of becoming an IPS officer. His approach involves tackling societal issues, including corruption, through the authority and influence associated with his position. 

On the other hand, in "Madam Geeta Rani," the character Geeta Rani aims to bring about change within the education system by becoming a school principal. Her goal is focused on reforming education practices and improving the quality of learning within the confines of the school environment.

Movie Link: "Madam Geeta Rani" 

Musical Choice in 12th Fail :

For Musical Details See this Instagram Reel. Link

Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Poem in #12thFail :

Thematic Study:

Critical Insight:

Privilege:

A Symbol of Power: Gun

In an interesting scene from the movie, when the person delivers the letter about Manoj's father's suspension, Manoj's grandmother utters, "Nikal bandhuk (Gun out)." In this moment, the film symbolizes the power dynamics within Manoj Sharma's caste. Being part of the upper caste, the Sharmas, having a weapon in their house becomes a visual representation of their power. It signifies their authority to discuss important concepts like honesty, showcasing the influence and status associated with their caste.

Economic Divides in the Urban Tapestry:

 क्या समझता है तू

 कि ये सिर्फ़ तुम्हारी लड़ाई है!

 ये हम सबकी लड़ाई है,

 एक की भी जीत होगी न!

 तो करोड़ों भेड़-बकरियों की जीत होगी. 

In the urban landscape, societal divisions may not be delineated by caste but rather by economic disparities. In the film, the character Gauri emphasizes this distinction when expressing that the real divide lies among those who are economically privileged. This narrative sheds light on the socioeconomic divides prevalent in urban settings, highlighting the challenges and inequalities faced by individuals based on their financial backgrounds.

Everybody's Story? :

When a benevolent Gauri bhaiya (evocative portrayal by Anshumann Pushkar), whose own dreams of making a mark by acing the IPS have been repeatedly shattered, chastises Manoj -

"Kya samajhta hai tu, ki bas tumhara ladayi hai ye Hum sabka ladayi hai," it resonates with every individual who is struggling daily to realise his/her ambitions.(“Decoding The Success Of Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail: The Story Of An Underdog”)

No,

This film seems like many people's life story. It has been a source of inspiration for many, particularly resonating with civil service aspirants who find parallels between the movie's theme and their own lives. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that while a movie can be a source of motivation, the circumstances of each individual vary. Real-life situations differ due to unique circumstances, emphasizing that inspiration from a film may guide but not dictate the diverse paths and challenges each person faces.

Indeed, every individual possesses a unique and distinct life journey. The experiences, circumstances, and choices that shape each person's life are exclusive to them.

Reference of: 

If the movie "12th Fail" includes references to Abdul Kalam and Dr. Ambedkar, it suggests a thematic connection to inspirational figures in Indian history.

The movie might indicate a broader theme of inspiration, education, or social change. It could also suggest that the characters in the movie draw inspiration from the principles and contributions of these influential figures as they navigate their own challenges and aspirations.

#Restart :

Jeero se kya darna bey 

Jeero ke pahiye banake 

Tu aage aage badna bey 

Restart, restart, restart.

In the context of the movie "12th Fail," the struggles faced by the characters seem to be met with a positive perspective, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the readiness to start afresh. This mindset becomes particularly significant for individuals aspiring for government jobs, where setbacks are common, but the ability to restart with determination is key to eventual success. The positive portrayal of this theme can serve as motivation for viewers, encouraging them to face challenges head-on and persist in their pursuits.

https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/011123/12th-fail-movie-review.html

 

Based on Novel :

In November 2022, filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra announced the film, based on the novel 'Twelfth Fail', by Anurag Pathak.

Novel : 12th Fail

Why This Film is Successful?

The involvement of skilled actors, a proficient director like Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and a talented crew can enhance the overall quality of the film.

The film may present the aspirations and challenges of the protagonist in a way that feels authentic and relatable, avoiding clichés or exaggerated scenarios.

If the film addresses broader social issues or commentary on the educational system, it adds depth and maturity to the storytelling, elevating it beyond individual struggles.

According to Johar,

"Everyone is talking about it because it resonates with everyone." (“Decoding The Success Of Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail: The Story Of An Underdog”)

The film's focus on the journey of a government job aspirant aligns with the current trend in India, where a significant number of young individuals are actively preparing for such exams. This resonance with the prevailing social context could be a key factor contributing to the film's success.

Conclusion:

Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra also spoke at length about the film. He said,

"If an honest person is in a position of power, the world can truly change. I have seen that with countless IAS and IPS officers, I have come across in the process of writing this film. '12th Fail' is a tribute to all of them. If this film can inspire even 10 more officers to strive for honesty, 10 more students to strive for excellence... I will believe I have succeeded." (“Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail': Story of aspiring IAS, IPS students”)

When these three elements come together it has the power to make a change in society.

"Knowledge + Power + Character"

(Words 2063; Videos 08; Images 05)

References

“Decoding The Success Of Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail: The Story Of An Underdog.” Times Now, 4 January 2024, https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/decoding-the-success-of-vikrant-masseys-12th-fail-the-story-of-an-underdog-article-106541330. Accessed 23 January 2024.

Kumar, Anuj. “'12th Fail' movie review: Vidhu Vinod Chopra delivers yet another hug of hope that is more earnest than magical.” The Hindu, 26 October 2023, https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/12th-fail-movie-review-vidhu-vinod-chopra-delivers-yet-another-hug-of-hope-that-is-more-earnest-than-magical/article67460764.ece. Accessed 23 January 2024.

Ravichander, L. “12th Fail Movie Review | 12th Fail Movie Review.” Deccan Chronicle, 1 November 2023, https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/011123/12th-fail-movie-review.html. Accessed 23 January 2024.

“12th Fail (2023).” IMDb, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23849204/. Accessed 23 January 2024.

“Vidhu Vinod Chopra's '12th Fail': Story of aspiring IAS, IPS students.” ANI News, 24 November 2022, https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/bollywood/vidhu-vinod-chopras-12th-fail-story-of-aspiring-ias-ips-students20221124220139/. Accessed 23 January 2024.

 Give Your Valuable Views and Suggestions in the Comment Box. 

Life of Pi-Movie review

Life of Pi

Movie review of 'Life of Pi' :

Ang Lee's movie adaptation of Yann Martel's novel, "Life of Pi," is a very tremendously ambitious and stunningly beautiful movie. The plot is about a young man stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker after the cargo ship carrying Pi's family and their zoo animals sinks.

Ang Lee does a fantastic job in telling Pi's life in three stages: childhood, teenage life and adult. Pi's adult stage is quite emotional. The visuals are stunning and enhance the storytelling superbly. The digital rendering of animals and Richard Parker the Bengal Tiger is beautiful to behold. The CGI animals look so clean and almost look like real life animals. The night sequences are over the top and very beautiful. The spiritual context is so rich that the movie compels multiple viewing.

This movie will take you into an unexpected journey of survival where a young boy is trapped on a boat in a vast ocean along with the notorious beast (Tiger) aka Richard Parker where both have to struggle the way they never did to remain alive in such traumatic situations . Most important factor is that this struggle made an unlikely amicable relationship between both until the moment they got separated .

This movie makes a strong impression of awesome cinematic skills which captures our senses. The director has done an outstanding remarkable job. He created an unimaginable atmosphere in the movie which will remain as a strong imperishable memory in the audience's mind . It will give quite a feeling like the great masterpiece  " Cast Away " where tom hanks has given his career best unforgettable performance . I would like to recommend "Life of Pi" to everyone who must witness how charismatic and magical cinematic brilliance is. When you have a highly talented filmmaker it will result in something unforgettable . Watching it in the cinema is like a once in a lifetime experience don't miss this great cinematic work.

The acting by Suraj Sharma is excellent. If not for him, the film wouldn't have felt so believable. Irrfan Khan is very good and gives a very subtle performance communicating through his eyes. Tabu and Adil Hussain had small roles but they did justice to those characters. Another hero that shines in the film is the brilliantly done CGI(Computer Generated Imagery). The CGI of the tiger alongside other animals and of the ocean among several other things cannot be praised enough. Without it, the film would have failed miserably. But Ang Lee and his visual effects team made sure that it wasn't the case and put their heart and soul to make it as realistic and deceiving to untrained eyes as possible and they succeeded in every turn of the way. A tremendous job indeed. 

The animators did a very excellent job of bringing Richard Parker to life and making the tiger be an active and vital character. The relationship between Pi and Richard Parker is presented perfectly.

The graphics, photography and colours are very awesome. Some of the most memorable scenes are the whale leaping out of the ocean and splashing back into sea, seeing the exotic fish and phytoplankton underwater, and the island when it turned carnivorous at night. The story is magical and mysterious. "Life of Pi" is truly a groundbreaking movie masterpiece and a beautiful work of art ever made. Ang Lee has created a cinema masterpiece that will long be a very-memorable film due to the breathtaking cinematography and beautiful scenery.

There was a certain rhythm to the movement of the animals and the endless beauty of nature itself and it was just a bliss to watch. The ending gave that final punch that the film needed.

This version is a good version of the movie adaptation. 

Significance of ' Tiger ' :

a young boy lives on the sea with a tiger that weighs 450 pounds for 227 days on a 26 feet long lifeboat. In another version of the story, pi seems to be symbolised by Richard Parker. They have so many similarities. The tiger in life symbolises pi because they both have the desire for survival, pi doesn’t want to face himself in the experience on the sea just like Richard Parker go into the jungle without looking back, and pi abandons his beliefs which corresponds to animal instinct. Richard Parker symbolism pi because they have similar personalities such as the desire for survival. Pi almost dies on the sea because of lack of food. He has nothing to eat even the fish. The hunger makes him lose his mind.

The tiger, Richard Parker, is a metaphor for fear. It represents death, desolation, grief, and ultimately the growing animal instinct in Pi. It brings to life the haunt of living alone on a ship, being stranded on an island, losing connection with all and most importantly, facing yourself. When Pi gains control over the tiger, he conquers fear. When he develops attachment to Richard Parker, he comes closer to himself.And finally, when the tiger leaves him, Pi understands the transient nature of life. So the tiger represents life, fear and death.

Difference between Spirituality and Religion : Click here for another blog

Significance of ' Island ' :

Many books and films that feature islands also tell the stories of those trying to escape them and oftentimes the island can have both a positive and negative symbolism. Because it has such broad interpretation, it is a popular trope in storytelling.

This is evident, for example, in Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe or the Tom Hanks film it inspired almost three centuries later, Cast Away.

In such stories, the island is a symbol of what the main character has lost – contact with the outside world, the relationships with loved ones, and even the sense of belonging.

However, it has been established that the trees on the island do not solely give life, but they can also claim life, which means that they can kill as well. During the day, the trees breathe life into wanderers, but at night, a chemical process turns the water irrigating them into acid, and makes them carnivorous. As such, “all that the island gave by day, it took away again by night”. An oasis that is turned out to be a dangerous beauty, a wolf in sheep’s clothing if you will. This danger is not something Pi is going to live with, saying:

'I preferred to set off and perish in search of my own kind than to live a lonely half-life of physical comfort and spiritual death on this murderous island.'

All religions offer shelter and food to their followers. That’s exactly what the island did for Pi. He ate pounds of algae every day, and occasionally meerkats; he slept in a tree, and for the first time since the start of his endeavour, he felt safe. That is, he felt safe until he discovered the truth.

If much of the story symbolises someone finding his/her way through the journey of life, then perhaps the island symbolises the idea of settling for something seemingly good when there is something much better...but the price to get that better thing is high, full of hard work, and saturated with fear/doubt. On the surface (no pun intended) it may seem that the island is a good thing, full of food, water, and shelter. However we all know the disgusting truth. I think that our lives can easily slip into that pattern of settling for something seemingly good when it can turn out to be our downfall.

[Words 1261+597(linked blog)]

Movie Review- Frankenstein

Movie Review of Frankenstein

Importance of Movie Screening:

Audio and video materials can be used to enhance learning resources by showing real life scenarios, explaining concepts, observing social groups, and acting as triggers for discussion. They are also able to bring experts and viewpoints to the student learning experience and are excellent at bringing subjects ‘to life’ to engage discussion and inspire learning.

Our brains respond to visuals quickly, much faster than reading words or other abilities we use to consume information. Also, images in motion ignite human senses. As a result, viewers find it easier to pay attention, focus, and remember information they consume from videos.

Click here to Reach Blog()Task1) on Frankenstein

At the Department of English we had a movie screening of Frankenstein. The Frankenstein novel by Mary Shelley is a part of our syllabus. Screening of movies is also part of our learning.

Movies on Frankenstein:

• Frankenstein (1994) 

This version is close to the original work.

Based on Mary Shelley’s novel, “Frankenstein” tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a promising young doctor who, devastated by the death of his mother during childbirth, becomes obsessed with bringing the dead back to life. His experiments lead to the creation of a monster, which Frankenstein has put together with the remains of corpses. It’s not long before Frankenstein regrets his actions.

• The Curse Of Frankenstein (1957)
• Frankenweenie (2012)
• Young Frankenstein (1974)
• Frankenstein (1931)

Frankenstein tells the story of gifted scientist Victor Frankenstein who succeeds in giving life to a being of his own creation. However, this is not the perfect specimen he imagines that it will be, but rather a hideous creature who is rejected by Victor and mankind in general.

Biblical effect in Frankenstein:

The film references the creation story from the Bible; God created man in his image and in the film, Henry Frankenstein creates the creature in his image. Frankenstein obsesses over creating life, and the film in a way addresses the socially unethical nineteenth century practice of body snatching.

The theme that fits Frankenstein best is that humans should not play God.

Genres:

Drama,Horror,Romance,Sci-Fi

It's R rated movie R (restricted, no children under 17 allowed without parents or adult guardians)

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA):

Rated R for horrific images

Violence :

This movie got rated R because of several scenes.

A dissected human body is shown, and several scenes of doctors cutting into bodies, just barely off-screen. The list of body parts includes a severed monkey arm which is re-animated and a human brain. There are close-ups of hypodermic needles entering a body, and body parts being stitched together with a needle. The creature steals a corpse from a grave and rips the heart out of the chest of a living person. A young boy is murdered off-screen, and the act is described in sadistic detail. Two characters set themselves afire. A woman dies in childbirth. A man is stabbed to death and his bloody body is shown. There are two hangings. People are shown to be dying from cholera, and the creature evades a mob by riding atop a cart filled with dead bodies. The creature is beaten with clubs. A sailor is tossed overboard into frigid water, and another is crushed by a falling mast.

Slip:

During the movie, the scars on the monster's chin and lip change. First his lip is split, later it's healed, but now he has other wounds on his chin. Then his lip and chin are healed, with no scars. But later we see big scars on both his chin and lip.

Is Frankenstein relevant today!?

A framework for examining morality and ethics. Frankenstein is not only the first creation story to use scientific experimentation as its method, but it also presents a framework for narratively examining the morality and ethics of the experiment and experimenter.

Real monster:

Victor is the true monster through his actions and personality throughout the book. Victor's hostility towards the creature, obsession with creating life, and the yearning for a God-like status and power all reveal the inner monster Victor possesses.

The monster, played by Robert De Niro, is abandoned by Frankenstein and forced to retreat into the wilderness. He yearns to share the emotions of a peasant family he watches in an isolated cottage but is unable to do so. When this ugly creature meets his creator, he asks, "You gave me these emotions but you didn't tell me how to use them." The monster's feeling function is wounded and so is Frankenstein's. Mirroring each other, they both turn to violence.

The early scenes have suspense and verve. When Victor Frankenstein (Branagh), the young scion of a wealthy Geneva family, arrives in Germany to study medicine, the movie draws us into his upstart idealism, his brash desire to break through the boundaries of conventional medical science.

Victor has everything going for him: passion, rebellious curiosity, a beautiful and devoted fiancée (Helena Bonham Carter). Yet he also has a demon in his closet. Even when he creates a creature and himself he treats him to a monster.

Film is also one part of Literature and it gives us a clear sight and a new way of seeing the world. Some educational films make learning easy.

[Words 872]