Rewatching this after three years and I just forgot how much this film means to me. Had to pause multiple times to cry (bittersweet) and call my mum. If I could have people think of me in films, I want them to think of me in this.
Monsoon Wedding, produced and directed by Mira Nair has some of my favorite actors that are present in other Indian films that I adore. It explores Punjabi family dynamics within the span of a few days as a wedding takes place and I think there’s no better moment to explore these dynamics in: when tensions and emotions are high and people who have not met eachother in years come together. Watching this just bought me back to my childhood (I know it’s set in Delhi, but Punjab is Punjab and the visuals, music and background sound are so reminiscent of Lahore it brings me to tears). The unglamorous aspect of family and everyday life, raw and real and still so beautiful.
The way desi female sexuality and desire is explored — not shamed or hidden away but bought to full light — bought me so much joy. In a culture where women are not expected to showcase desire or love, it is always refreshing to see it portrayed. I also loved the romance plot line between Dubey and Alice (I could write an entire essay on the symbolism of marigolds in South Asian culture, and the continued consumption of them throughout the film by Dubey expressing passion and desire) just really tender and sweet and I adore Ria as a character (Shefali Shah is one of my favorite actresses and I want to look like her so bad it’s not funny, she’s just so pretty).
The soundtrack has been one of my staples in my Spotify and listening to it with visuals to accompany it bought much joy (and once again tears).
This very much is a love letter to Barsaat (monsoon), Punjab and desi families and Mira Nair executes it brilliantly.
Rewatching this after three years and I just forgot how much this film means to me. Had to pause multiple times to cry (bittersweet) and call my mum. If I could have people think of me in films, I want them to think of me in this.
Monsoon Wedding, produced and directed by Mira Nair has some of my favorite actors that are present in other Indian films that I adore. It explores Punjabi family dynamics within the span of a few days as a wedding takes place and I think there’s no better moment to explore these dynamics in: when tensions and emotions are high and people who have not met eachother in years come together. Watching this just bought me back to my childhood (I know it’s set in Delhi, but Punjab is Punjab and the visuals, music and background sound are so reminiscent of Lahore it brings me to tears). The unglamorous aspect of family and everyday life, raw and real and still so beautiful.
The way desi female sexuality and desire is explored — not shamed or hidden away but bought to full light — bought me so much joy. In a culture where women are not expected to showcase desire or love, it is always refreshing to see it portrayed. I also loved the romance plot line between Dubey and Alice (I could write an entire essay on the symbolism of marigolds in South Asian culture, and the continued consumption of them throughout the film by Dubey expressing passion and desire) just really tender and sweet and I adore Ria as a character (Shefali Shah is one of my favorite actresses and I want to look like her so bad it’s not funny, she’s just so pretty).
The soundtrack has been one of my staples in my Spotify and listening to it with visuals to accompany it bought much joy (and once again tears).
This very much is a love letter to Barsaat (monsoon), Punjab and desi families and Mira Nair executes it brilliantly.
