I saw Taare Zameen Par (TZP) nearly a decade ago in the jam-packed Satyam Cinemas, Chennai. A lot of my friends reported that they shed tears as it progressed, towards the end, while I didn't. I was frankly surprised. What is there in this film that is NOT there in so many others? Just a different kid, unintentionally abused by parents, sinks into depression, finally finds a light who encourages him and brings out his best. This happens to everybody, doesn't it?
This is forgotten. A few days later, it airs on TV and a second-watch is in progress. Now I think a little deeper. Why is the problem with kids so personal? The answer comes after thinking for a moment.....Kids are the builders of the future! Your kids, my kids, children cannot be ignored. They deserve a great deal of attention so that they will take charge efficiently and do what we couldn't do.
In this spirit, Amole Gupte presents Stanley's Lunch Box, or Stanley Ka Dabba. The writer of TZP weaves a very touching story about a child labourer who keeps his situation clandestine and in its place, fills a wonderful tale about his mother and her delicious cooking.
What is different about this film? Abused children tend to lash out at other people and as a result, develop a violent mindset. However, this need not always be the case. Stanley is a sweet, humble and hardworking kid with a very creative mind. He recites poems with elegance, draws art and builds a model of lighthouse for a project, while other kids simply go to the internet, takes a few pictures, paste them and submit.
There are three main contrasting teacher characters: the strict science teacher who takes spare the rod and spoil the child a tad too seriously, the joker Hindi guy who is obsessed with food (you've got company, Joey!) and has a weird practice of eating from student's lunch boxes (by force), the sweet and engaging Miss Rosy who adores children, who reciprocate her feelings. Rosy resembles Stanley's dead mom, and being a person who shuns traditional student-teacher walls is very encouraging of Stanley's creativity. She even accepts his project as a gift from him.
The principal, whom people respectfully address as father is more or less like Rosy in his view of children, however does not brim with the same energy and is rather an embodiment of calm and serenity. He is also repulsed by notions that teachers can take whatever liberty they want of students. An ideal schooling system would be filled by people like Rosy and the father.
There is no complaint from Stanley's end; he performs his duties properly without hesitation. His lack of need or rather forced attempt to keep it a secret, even from his favorite teacher, is puzzling. Is he afraid of sympathy or expects a change in attitude from other students?
The technical details: editing could have been better, the film is too slow. Cinematography could have used more unconventional shots, like the panorama shot that comes towards the end. Flamenco background music is a huge turn-on, in any film and this is no different.
The main message is against child labour. We must not make children EARN a living the same way adults do. It is unethical to do so. That aside, it is a wonderful film and worth a watch.
This is forgotten. A few days later, it airs on TV and a second-watch is in progress. Now I think a little deeper. Why is the problem with kids so personal? The answer comes after thinking for a moment.....Kids are the builders of the future! Your kids, my kids, children cannot be ignored. They deserve a great deal of attention so that they will take charge efficiently and do what we couldn't do.
In this spirit, Amole Gupte presents Stanley's Lunch Box, or Stanley Ka Dabba. The writer of TZP weaves a very touching story about a child labourer who keeps his situation clandestine and in its place, fills a wonderful tale about his mother and her delicious cooking.
What is different about this film? Abused children tend to lash out at other people and as a result, develop a violent mindset. However, this need not always be the case. Stanley is a sweet, humble and hardworking kid with a very creative mind. He recites poems with elegance, draws art and builds a model of lighthouse for a project, while other kids simply go to the internet, takes a few pictures, paste them and submit.
There are three main contrasting teacher characters: the strict science teacher who takes spare the rod and spoil the child a tad too seriously, the joker Hindi guy who is obsessed with food (you've got company, Joey!) and has a weird practice of eating from student's lunch boxes (by force), the sweet and engaging Miss Rosy who adores children, who reciprocate her feelings. Rosy resembles Stanley's dead mom, and being a person who shuns traditional student-teacher walls is very encouraging of Stanley's creativity. She even accepts his project as a gift from him.
The principal, whom people respectfully address as father is more or less like Rosy in his view of children, however does not brim with the same energy and is rather an embodiment of calm and serenity. He is also repulsed by notions that teachers can take whatever liberty they want of students. An ideal schooling system would be filled by people like Rosy and the father.
There is no complaint from Stanley's end; he performs his duties properly without hesitation. His lack of need or rather forced attempt to keep it a secret, even from his favorite teacher, is puzzling. Is he afraid of sympathy or expects a change in attitude from other students?
The technical details: editing could have been better, the film is too slow. Cinematography could have used more unconventional shots, like the panorama shot that comes towards the end. Flamenco background music is a huge turn-on, in any film and this is no different.
The main message is against child labour. We must not make children EARN a living the same way adults do. It is unethical to do so. That aside, it is a wonderful film and worth a watch.
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