Review by Vinoo
Language : Czech
Director : Karel Kachnya
‘I am jumping over puddles again’ is the story of Adam who is born into a family where horse riding is a passion. Adam’s father has a way with horses and from the time Adam is old enough to walk all he can think of is learning about horses from his dad. When Adam is all set for his first lessons in horse-riding and horse-training he is afflicted with Polio. This will seemingly put an end to Adam’s dream of following in his father’s footsteps. But then, Adam is not the one to give up. His die-hard passion supported by his family, friends and everyone else around him makes him take up his passion all over again, what if he is disabled in one leg. You are as handicapped as you decide to be, or so the film seems to say. The story is told very simply and is peppered with humour right through. There is no overt sadness or trauma stamped on it, no melodrama either. Another one of those beautiful father-son relationships. Everyone in the film puts in superb and believable performances. This is as much a kids film as it is adults. I love the scenes where Adam watches the world through his different colour filters. During Adam’s hospitalization there are some surrealistic scenes. I thought it was quite amazing for a film like this.
Looks like Bengalooru is in for a treat, first the Suchitra Folk Fest (oops! RangaSankara Folk Arts Fest) and now the International Film Fest. Thanks to KCAIFF festival for making World class films accessible all across Karnataka, not just Bengalooru, and for letting me watch this movie all over again. Also watched ‘Aguirre, the wrath of gods’, one of my all-time favourites, ‘Kuttisraank’ after which it was good to have the interactive session with Shaji N Karun, and a whole lot of classics. Hope to catch whatever is left of the festival over the weekend.
Here is the schedule for those who couldn’t make it during the week. Alternately catch some of the trailers here.
Catch what is left of the festival over the next two days.
Useless trivia : The film is based on Alan Marshall’s autobiography ‘I can jump puddles’ part I of the series which was followed by ‘This is the grass’ and ‘In mine own heart’. I hope to access the book soon. Karel Kachnya’s ‘Ucho’ (The ear) about the Czech secret police was banned by the communist government and subsequently released in 1989. Hope to access some of his movies too.
NB : And for those interested in the International Film Festival of Kerala, registrations are open. See you there between 10th and 17th December. Here is the link www.iffk.in
Hi Vinoo,
Thanks for the post. I read your post on Piravi too and liked it. I am also in Bangalore. Can I meet you sometime. Could you please give me your contact details. My email id is bvijay@gmail.com
Thanks & Regards
Vijay