The “Valley of Saints” – a beautifully-crafted visually-stunning narrative - has not only been causing a buzz in the film community in recent weeks – but also – snatched up two prestigious awards at the Sundance Film Festival this year (the World Audience Award and the Alfred P. Sloan Award).
The thought-provoking tale – directed by insightful Musa Syeed – focuses on a boatman in Kashmir (India) longing to escape the rural life with a childhood pal in tow.
As plans to seek their fortunes are underway, a military conflict - and subsequent curfew in the torn region - delays their departure.
While Gulzar (the main character) and his friend are cooling their heels, events unfold which test their relationship.
For example, when a young lady who crosses Gulzar's path unexpectedly one day, the naive young man has to seriously consider ending his life-long friendship with his male companion in order to pursue a romance with the woman he is smitten with.
At this juncture, it becomes evident that “Valley of Saints” is a coming-of-age tale, of sorts.
At one point, the feature shifts gears, though.
Because Gulzar's love interest is involved with a project to “heal” the contaminated waters at the lake, the filmmaker ends up tossing a searing spotlight on environmental issues that have been plaguing the picturesque mountain town for years.
One day the villager relays the ancient tale of about a Saint who once helped his people when they were troubled with a water demon centuries earlier.
"But now," he notes poignantly, "there are no saints to save the village."
Maybe that is the role that the producers of "Valley of Saints" are playing now?
“I didn’t want to delve in the complex political problems in Kashmir because that ground has already been extensively covered by other filmmakers in the past. Since most people can relate to the environmental issues intuitively, I chose to go down that path instead,” Syeed explained in so many words.
The "Valley of Saints" is a magical (and mystical) film in many respects.
Syeed - who has a keen visual eye and a knack for attention to detail - noted that he specifically used master shots (no close-ups) to ensure the footage would mirror the fluidity of the water.
Consequently, "Valley of Saints" has a dream-like quality which ebbs and flows (as it embraces the psyche of all the rapt filmgoers watching from beyond the footlights of the theatre).
By the way, the soundtrack is quite haunting, too.
The composer underscored (no pun intended) that he steered away from traditional Kashmir music because it would have felt "dishonest" under the circumstances (he being at the helm and all).
Apparently, he was inspired by Keith Richards and Jimmy Plant's early folk style, which works beautifully here.
Although the locals have yet to attend a screening - all the theatres have been shut down in Kashmir in recent years due to the military conflict - Syeed is hopeful that he'll be able to return and screen "Valley of Saints" in the near future.
Musa Syeed was interviewed at a Q & A at the DGA by the Angry Asian Man which is located at my YouTube site for viewing:
https://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?ns=1&video_id=Xktat3BMz4I
1 week left to attend screenings at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival!
See 'ya there!
Musa Syeed
Director of Valley of Saints
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