A letter to Aamir Khan on his film "Taare Zameen Par".
August 28th 2008 01:23
Link: aamirkhan.com
Dear Aamir,
I have been immersing myself in Indian/Bollywood films since my husband's workmate lent me a DVD of "Khabi Kushi", and I cannot get enough. Films like "Bend It Like Beckham" piqued my interest, as having a Mauritian mother, the families in these were frighteningly familiar (I was mortified when I saw Preity Zinta in that film based on Pretty Woman, playing an uneducated, uncultured prostitute, who said "Aiyo" alot. Just like my mum, my aunties, and even my Aussie dad...
Since then I've watched many, many, MANY more films, and have started going to see them at cinemas in Sydney.
What a brilliant film TZP is! I'm a teacher, and had picked up on a few clues early in the film as to what the learning difficulty of the child was. However the portrayl given by this boy was outstanding! He perfectly conveys the different behaviours of kids who don't fit into the education system, which are symptoms of their learning difficulties. Every teacher should try to understand the context of a child's behaviour, and try to work out the cause of it. So should each parent.
I spent much of the film on the brink of tears, and I must say it was very unfair of you to don the clown suit and then call intermission. Unfair, but a useful cinematic tool, I grant you!
What an extraordinary young actor you have discovered. His wince of delight when his brother praises his art (which obviously hints at your direction...reminded me of “Fanaa”); his glare at his father when he realised he was joking about leaving; the pan from the boys sleeping in the bunkhouse to him wailing in the bathroom; and his complete emotional shutdown due to the post-trauma of his abandonment from his parents; what an actor.
My daughter came with me, and was mortified that a child's educational experience could be so traumatic, counterproductive and soul-destroying. Even kids with Special Needs, in her classroom, are loved, respected, and their strengths drawn out, praised, and developed further so that the child achieves and attains a sense of excellence. We acknowledge that there are "multiple intelligences"; that kids don't all learn in the same way, and their learning style must be catered for in order to engage them in learning and flourish emotionally as well as academically. Your role as the teacher/saviour of this boy was incredible. Your character's empathy with this boy was so beautiful, as well as very necessary to show what myopic fools the other teachers and his parents were. The scenes where you teach him; especially those in which he is physically engaged with his learning by tracing letters in sand or on skin, and playing a jumping game, can act as a sort of informal teacher training.
Every teacher should see this film, as it shows the damage that could be done through poorly chosen words and actions; as well as the healing that can occur when one person loves and seeks to serve this child through a fresh look at the issues.
I’m glad that at the Indian Film Festival which begins in Sydney tomorrow night, that this film is being screened at the Gala Opening. Congratulations on this honour. May many more be touched by this astounding film. I’ll be blogging about it to drum up more viewers at the screenings. www.cleangreenneen.com
I urge you to send a copy of the DVD to every educational facility in India and beyond.
Awesome work, Aamir.
clngrnneen
I have been immersing myself in Indian/Bollywood films since my husband's workmate lent me a DVD of "Khabi Kushi", and I cannot get enough. Films like "Bend It Like Beckham" piqued my interest, as having a Mauritian mother, the families in these were frighteningly familiar (I was mortified when I saw Preity Zinta in that film based on Pretty Woman, playing an uneducated, uncultured prostitute, who said "Aiyo" alot. Just like my mum, my aunties, and even my Aussie dad...
Since then I've watched many, many, MANY more films, and have started going to see them at cinemas in Sydney.
I spent much of the film on the brink of tears, and I must say it was very unfair of you to don the clown suit and then call intermission. Unfair, but a useful cinematic tool, I grant you!
What an extraordinary young actor you have discovered. His wince of delight when his brother praises his art (which obviously hints at your direction...reminded me of “Fanaa”); his glare at his father when he realised he was joking about leaving; the pan from the boys sleeping in the bunkhouse to him wailing in the bathroom; and his complete emotional shutdown due to the post-trauma of his abandonment from his parents; what an actor.
My daughter came with me, and was mortified that a child's educational experience could be so traumatic, counterproductive and soul-destroying. Even kids with Special Needs, in her classroom, are loved, respected, and their strengths drawn out, praised, and developed further so that the child achieves and attains a sense of excellence. We acknowledge that there are "multiple intelligences"; that kids don't all learn in the same way, and their learning style must be catered for in order to engage them in learning and flourish emotionally as well as academically. Your role as the teacher/saviour of this boy was incredible. Your character's empathy with this boy was so beautiful, as well as very necessary to show what myopic fools the other teachers and his parents were. The scenes where you teach him; especially those in which he is physically engaged with his learning by tracing letters in sand or on skin, and playing a jumping game, can act as a sort of informal teacher training.
I’m glad that at the Indian Film Festival which begins in Sydney tomorrow night, that this film is being screened at the Gala Opening. Congratulations on this honour. May many more be touched by this astounding film. I’ll be blogging about it to drum up more viewers at the screenings. www.cleangreenneen.com
I urge you to send a copy of the DVD to every educational facility in India and beyond.
Awesome work, Aamir.
clngrnneen
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