‘Jail’ movie review: Dead on arrival
The Hindu
By making a film about slum resettlement, Vasanthabalan ends up trivialising their lives and ‘Jail’ pushes the people further down the rabbit hole
In 2019, gana singer Stephen became an internet sensation when his ‘Gumbala Suthuvom’ video song was lapped up by viewers and went on to become a viral hit on YouTube. It was a simple but politically-layered song about Stephen’s friends, their lives and livelihood, and their small dreams and desires.
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Following its success, there were several remodelled and TikTok versions of the song, which later came to be known as ‘pullingo’ song, thanks to the lyrics. But beyond its immediate reach and popularity, it brought about a conversation around social stereotypes, especially when a YouTube channel released a video trivialising Stephen and his gang. So much so that the word ‘pullingo’ became a classist slur to box a certain class of people. This video was taken down from the channel after severe criticism.

A vacuum cleaner haunted by a ghost is the kind of one-liner which can draw in a festival audience looking for a little light-hearted fun to fill the time slots available between the “heavier” films which require much closer attention. A useful ghost, the debut feature of Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke being screened in the world cinema category at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), even appears so in the initial hour. Until, the film becomes something more, with strong undercurrents of Thailand’s contemporary political history.

Sustainability is not an add-on, but stamped firmly into the process: every piece is biodegradable, waste-free and unembellished, free from glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so that our planet is not harmed,” says Anu Elizabeth Alexander, a student of Sishya, Adyar. At a recent exhibition, the stars she made sold the fastest, followed by the small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is created, and that it is sustainable,” says Anu. Infanta Leon from Kotturpuram developed an interest in crochet as a teenager. It was a hobbyhorse that evolved into a steed that would help her embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. She started making Christmas-themed decor two years ago, spurred by a desire to craft safe, eco-friendly toys for children. “With a toddler at home, and my elder child sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create items that were gentle, durable and tactile,” she explains. Her earliest creations were small amigurumi toys which gradually evolved into ornaments that could adorn Christmas trees with warmth and charm.











