A new episode of an old game

'Far from the Madding Crowd' to be screened at Lok Virsa

Islamabad

Director: Thomas Vinterbeg

Script: David Nicholls (based on Thomas Hardy's novel)

Music: Graig Armstrong

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Mathias Schoenaerts, Michael Sheen

Thomas Hardy's 'Far from the Madding Crowd' comes to Lok Virsa tomorrow (Saturday) at 3 p.m. The romantic novel has been filmed several times. Director John Schlesinger's 1967 version is remembered for its camerawork of the rustic countryside and direction. Julie Christie played the lead. 

The new 'Far from the Madding Crowd' came out in 2015 from Britain. Being a literary adaptation, it cannot move much away from Thomas Hardy's basic premise. The headstrong beautiful independent heroine has to be there as the central character. And then three men have to enter her life. The new version explores this love and relationship in a different way from the past. The interesting thing about this is its being modified adaptation which is both compelling and entertaining with bits of humour plugged in -- a new episode of an old game. The film essentially focuses on its main character -- the heroine. Camerawork, music, rural countryside locations and wardrobe are some of the highlights here.

 The time is 1870, Victoria Britain. The heroine works on her aunt's farm. A new neighbour must fall in love with her and propose. She must decline. While the neighbour falls in debts and is soon penniless, she inherits uncle's farm and hires the poor neighbour as helper. It is now time to move on and a new neighbour is noticed. The helper is fired and then recalled as the sheep on the farm begin to die by eating deadly plants. Finally, she must walk hand in hand into the sunset. Strong direction and talented cast are the best assets of the film. Carey Mulligan in lead is better than what we had in 1967 adaptation. This is a period film which pretty much is centred on feminist role. Incidentally, unlike 1967 long version, this one runs for 119 minutes and does not go for expanded running and cuts down through several events. Director Thomas Vinterbeg has gone for an intimate romance. Screenwriter David Nicholls has kept the Hardy's spirit alive and come up with several simple yet beautiful and meaningful lines:

"I very much want to protect you for the rest of your life."

"I am too independent for you. You'd grow to despise me."

"It is my intention to astonish you all."

"I want someone to tame me. You would never be able to do that. I hate to be somebody's property ".

There has not been Thomas Hardy on screen for a long, long time and in the new film the screenplay has been loyal to him. It is a work of art and yet different from what we have seen in the past. It is rich and remains original, telling us so much about life, reversal of fortunes and fate.  At times it is provoking and disturbing. We see here beautiful companionship. Thomas Hardy must be credited for telling us so much about life and creating the British countryside as stage to play up his story. Music helps us a lot with the locations. 

According to director Vinterbeg, the characters here are inspirational and role model, so sensible and yet so manly with playfulness and deep wisdom. He says, he was honest with his characters. This is the direct way of communicating. Emotional dynamics with actors. The camera gets under the skin of the characters. Locations become inner life of human beings. The film shows purity and truthful moments of eighteenth century Britain.The film was shot for fifty-three days with 230 scenes (as compared to average of 130 ). The filming was stressful where even sheep and cows had to be taken into care. The producer had strictly asked the director and screenwriter not to change the Hardy's ending. The heroine while independent still wants to remain devoted. Her devotion here is a virtue which should not be taken as weakness. It is not a teenage love. Every character here comes with his story. The director uses them in their respective comport zone instead of pushing them out.

— aijazgul2003@gmail.com