I can’t seem to recall the exact moments you seem to mention, but, going by what I can guess, the point must be the awakening of her consciousness.

And about the digs at Brahminism:

1. This was an “art film” and surely wouldn’t have had wide opening. May be at a few niche centers and institutions that’s all.

2. On the contrary, the anti-Brahmin Dravidian movement, the international Leftist struggle and the seemingly-nationwide bitterness towards the Indira regime (where the RSS and the Left stood united can you imagine?!) must have provided a much better cushion for this film, as compared to present day.

Cheers!

The sequence which seemed strangest to me was the one with the fortune tellers. That there words were to actually come true kind of left his stance a bit ambiguous.

And do see if you shed more light on the last sequence. Especially Uma’s fiery looks. Kind of could not get what he was trying to say there.

Throughout the movie, John takes a dig at the Hindu customs (especially in the 4 stories of the neighbours complaining about how the donkey had become a nuisance) and I am sure that had this movie released in these times, no theater would have dared released it, for the fear of getting burnt down.

Also, if you see this film, you’ll note that teh donkey, presumably a stray from the Dhobi ghat, is strongly equated to the assumed lower castes while the cow, via religion, remains the representative of the elite.

Appreciate the flawlessness of explaining the donkey’s character and description of animal which is used as a synonym of a human class in his film.Though I have’nt seen the film , but feel the brilliant narration which director John Abraham might have done through his direction.

When talking of parallel cinema my personal preference are films highlighting or giving emphasis on momemtary expressions,emotional outbursts and reactions.Those preach realism at its best. I have exposed myself less to cinema’s of this kind.But a review like this, certainly increase my curiosity and interest in cinemas of this kind.Particularly where it mentions that Narayanswamy being a brahmin himself refuged the motherless donkey,which represents the working class. Somehow it feels the Donkey represents the helplessness and suffocation of middle working class rather lower middle class people.

Again want to mention,a very good review.

Remembering John- Adoor Gopalkrishnan

http://windsfromtheeast.blogspot.com/2008/04/remembering-john-adoor-gopalakrishnan.html

Yes, this one is a film with an agenda for sure…

From the sounds of it, this seems like a deeply ideological work – what other films did John Abraham direct that are noteworthy?

‘Donkey in the Elite Colony’, even the title is loaded with Marxist ideological sentiment.