DIRECTORS’ CUP 2011 VOTING, ROUND 3, MATCH 12: Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik)
From Den:
The Mirror (0) vs Ajantrik (1)
The Mirror used to be one of my favorite films. I love how once the actress decides to run away, we are still sort of watching the same film. I thought less of it in second viewing (it can be quite poorly paced) but it is a 5 star film but so is Ajantrik and that is the one I am thinking about at this moment.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 0 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 1
my favourite film in the cup
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror): 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik): 0
For those interested, here’s the film introduction thread for Ajantrik.
The Mirror 1 – Ajantrik 0
Two excellent films, but The Mirror is something I’d rank among my favorites of all time.
I really want a director from this match to advance.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror): 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik): 0
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror): 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik):
A tough vote, but in the end, I have to go with The Mirror, which I found admirable and frustrating in equal measure, but which has stayed in my memory longer. I’m not sure if it has enough to fill 90 minutes or if the execution of its concept is airtight, but it has plenty to say about film and about life in Iran, and I have to love the ending.
The Mirror 1 – Ajantrik 0
5-2 Panahi
The Mirror 0 – Ajantrik 1
I agree with what Cinesthesia wrote above, though with the exception that the film frustrated me a bit more than I admire it. In my opinion “The Mirror” would have made a perfect short film, but for a runtime of 90 minutes the young girl’s journey through Tehran didn’t manage to captivate me the whole way through. Besides, I found Kiarostami’s similar mixture of reality and fiction in “Close-Up” far more intriguing. “Ajantrik” is a great example of Ghatak’s brilliant sense of humor, his warmth and compassion. Let alone the heartbreaking ending makes this one a clear winner for me.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) – 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) – 0
I love The Mirror. This was my first Panahi film when I first started getting into his work a couple of years ago. Ajantrik is really good. Probably my favorite next to The Golden Thread. I have to say I lost interest in Ghatak after watching River Called Titash which I really did not like. But after seeing this it brought back my desire to seek out more by him. I still have to go with Panahi.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) – 0 vs. Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) – 1
Both of these are great films, and it’s a bit hard to choose between them. Overall, though, Ajantrik is more engaging for me, and the film I’d rather return to (and have returned to several times).
The Mirror — 0 vs. Ajantrik – 1
I’ve seen four of Ghatak’s films and he just doesn’t disappoint.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 0 Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 1
Jafar Panhai (The Mirror) – 1 – Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) – 0
I was really impressed when i saw The Mirror. Ajantrik is also a very interesting movie althoug i could not get in the movie too much. There is one thing confuses my mind. What was the point of The Mirror except showing a part of Iran. For cinematic reasons this question can be thought but as a tecnique, the Mirror was almost perfect.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 0
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 0
I thought the concept in “The Mirror” was very interesting and I like road trip stories about little girls such as “Alice In Wonderland” and “WIzard Of Oz” ! I enjoyed “Ajantrik” too but it just lost out a little bit.
9-6 Panahi
My impression of the twist in The Mirror was that Panahi was calling himself out that even though he was making a film against sexism, he was portraying women in a sexist way. In the first half of the film, the little girl is powerless and helpless relying desperately on the help of others.
Then, in the second half of the film, she tells the director that she knows how to get home on her own. This is a lie, she does not. But, she is not helpless. She knows how to get the information she needs to get home. She never panics, she never cries, she just takes control and figures out where to go. That’s the subtle point I think Panahi was trying to make. Women in Iran are treated as inferior and are completely at the mercy of their male family members’ whims. But, they’re not helpless.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 1 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 0
I loved Ajantrik. Best of luck to my opponent.
The Mirror 0 Ajantrik 1
THE CAR IS ALIVE!!!!
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) 0 – Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik) 1
10-8 Panahi
Let’s get some more votes! Both of these Group 6 matches will determine who goes on to the next round, and all four films are excellent.
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror)- 0 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik)- 1
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror): 1 — Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik): 0
I was thinking more like Herbie, Riss, but that’s cool too.
The Mirror 0 Ajantrik 1
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror)- 0 vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik)- 1
I’ll definitely provide some thoughts when I have some time, but i just want to get my vote in early for this crucial match.
Risselada
The extended voting period for this match lasts until 7:00 pm BST (6:00 pm GMT) on Friday, August 19, which means that users will have over 48 hours in order to publish their votes. The world map which lists all current time zones can be found on www.worldtimezone.com, so that everyone can be up to date about how much time is left.
After the voting period is over the votes will be counted and the results published. The next match should begin before 7pm BST (6pm GMT) on Monday, August 22.
Each user can vote on any match as long as he/she has watched both films that are lined-up against each other. An explanation for the preference in each case would be greatly appreciated. Managers are not allowed to vote on matches that their director participates in. The voting should be handled like this:
Film A 1 (or 0) – Film B 0 (or 1)
Please mark the winning film/score in large or heavy print.
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT NAME BOTH FILMS IN YOUR POST YOUR VOTE WILL NOT BE COUNTED
The match you´re going to vote for on this thread is:
Jafar Panahi (The Mirror) vs Ritwik Ghatak (Ajantrik)
If you have not seen these films and are not able to access them on your own then pm me and I may be able to give you access to the streaming links.