film & tv
LOVE KNOWS NO BORDERS: INTERNATIONAL ROMANCES design by: Alessio Philip Grain
Blind Date / Un Peu, Beaucoup, Aveuglément (France)
Dilwale Dhulania Le Jaenge (India)
Blind Date isn’t your usual romcom. Upon moving into a Parisian apartment, a woman discovers she can hear every move her neighbour makes, through their adjoining wall. The man next door is not happy to have a neighbour and does everything in his power to drive her out, but this woman isn’t like his past neighbours. She won’t be gotten rid of easily.
Bollywood has always been known for its dramatic story lines. One film, which has not only won the hearts of millions but was also shown in Mumbai for almost twenty-five years, is Dilwale Dhulania Le Jaenge. An iconic film full of sunflowers, love and ukuleles, the movie laid the foundation for every onscreen love story which followed.
The story that follows is unexpected, refreshing and very funny: from a sound war to blind dates, this film takes us through all the stages of a very unusual, blossoming romance. The relationship between the film’s lead characters develops through the wall of their apartments, without them seeing each other face to face, giving the film the heart-warming moral that love really is blind. Backed up by hilarious side characters and unorthodox direction, this sometimes slapstick, romantic comedy sets itself apart from everyday Hollywood romcoms, but don’t let its slapstick nature fool you.
The story begins with rich and spoiled boy Raj, who bluffs a supermarket owner to grab some drinks and sets off on a trip to Europe. On the other hand, obedient girl Simran, who loves her family, dearly convinces her father to send her on a trip to Europe with her friends. That’s where the story kicks off, and the two meet on a train and instantly have a spark. They fall in love while travelling around Europe, and upon returning to India, Simran tells her father about Raj, and they set up a meeting. When Raj visits Simran, he instantly identifies her father as the owner of the supermarket he had bluffed. Simran’s father disapproves of Raj as he has a tainted character. Raj promises to prove his worthiness of Simran’s love. This marks the onset of the second half of the movie, where he tries to impress Simran’s family.
Director Clovis Cornillac creates rich backstories for his unnamed main characters, earning it the Best First Film award at the 2015 Cabourg Film Festival. You’ll grow to love Who’s it and What’s it, as they affectionately call each other, through learning about the struggles they have each faced. As the characters connect with each other through the wall that separates them, the chemistry is clear, so get ready to feel all the feels. Bitter arguments become wholesome heart-to-hearts, and hate turns to love. You’ll be rooting for them to break down the wall in no time. words by: Summer Griffin
Gradually things turn in favour of Raj, and the end showcases the most iconic scene where Raj boards the train and Simran’s father isn’t ready to leave her hand. Simran wails, begging her father to let her go, and the train starts moving. Simran’s father lets her hand go, and she runs to board the train with Raj. This movie is unlike any Hollywood movie as it has plenty of drama, a peppy soundtrack and a beautifully directed and produced plot. The movie gives a glimpse into Indian Culture and Bollywood Cinema! words by: Muskan Arora
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