I was about 3 years old when I remember first having heard "West Indies" and "Viv Richards". These names became familiar as I grew up.
I grew up in a village where one of the most exciting changes in routine was to listen to commentary or even watching some matches live of India playing other countries. Days of absolute unpolluted joy.
When my friend E told me about a documentary on the West Indian cricket of the 70's and 80's I was excited- more excited that this was releasing in Indian theatres.
"Fire in Babylon" is an absolute must watch for different categories of people.
For lovers of cricket this feature is a beautiful trip back into the past-the days of transition in the 70's; the days when the pace battery from the Caribbean islands ruled the game. It provides you snippets from different matches and views of some of the members of the team of those years. It also gives you snapshots of how the regular West Indian feels about those years. It leaves you, though, yearning for more- some snap shots of what others felt about this team would have given it a more wholesome feel- their opponents, their future generations (e.g., Walsh, Ambrose, Lara, even Gayle) and others.
For students of sociology, culture and history, this feature speaks of how one small aspect of life can impact the mood of a nation, or nations as the case is- here. Those of us who have read about apartheid will understand the gravity of this that supremacy in this sport gave the West Indians at least one solid reason to tell the others that they are equals. For the kids who have not read about this or have no idea about this, just look around you when a Sachin scores well some day- a century maybe. All else is forgotten on such days.
For those of us who belong to the generation of the 80's born, the desert storm series in '98 of Sachin routing the Australians or again when a Laxman and a Dravid defied the Aussies some years later at Calcutta would be moments that are un-erasable from our collective memories. Go back to those days, relive the mood ... Remember what these did to the national mood.
For all the kids and teens out there, Fire in Babylon is something you should definitely see. You will learn about the strength of character...and of courage. When a Vivian Richards says that he was given a blank cheque to play in South Africa and he refused (he also tells you why), you know that here you are looking at a man or at men who rise beyond being mortals- these are legends. Those last few clippings of Richards and Botham hugging each other and walking alongside after a hard day of cricket also tells you of how one should treat your opponents- these are not enemies. You also learn about vulnerabilities when you have a Colin Croft speaking to you about how cricket was his livelihood and what made him decide to play in South Africa. These are stories you must know- you must hear.
Personally for me, I always had a great deal of respect for Richards. There are many others who I now hold in very high esteem- I never knew about the story of Greenidge or of Lloyd's background. I am glad I know now- at least a bit.
This week you have an option of watching other movies in the hall- an over-hyped burfy and a boring Heroine. If you have the time, go visit the nearest hall that screens Fire in Babylon. I saw it yesterday and there were about 15 people in the hall.
This is one story that should not go unseen...
I grew up in a village where one of the most exciting changes in routine was to listen to commentary or even watching some matches live of India playing other countries. Days of absolute unpolluted joy.
When my friend E told me about a documentary on the West Indian cricket of the 70's and 80's I was excited- more excited that this was releasing in Indian theatres.
"Fire in Babylon" is an absolute must watch for different categories of people.
For lovers of cricket this feature is a beautiful trip back into the past-the days of transition in the 70's; the days when the pace battery from the Caribbean islands ruled the game. It provides you snippets from different matches and views of some of the members of the team of those years. It also gives you snapshots of how the regular West Indian feels about those years. It leaves you, though, yearning for more- some snap shots of what others felt about this team would have given it a more wholesome feel- their opponents, their future generations (e.g., Walsh, Ambrose, Lara, even Gayle) and others.
For students of sociology, culture and history, this feature speaks of how one small aspect of life can impact the mood of a nation, or nations as the case is- here. Those of us who have read about apartheid will understand the gravity of this that supremacy in this sport gave the West Indians at least one solid reason to tell the others that they are equals. For the kids who have not read about this or have no idea about this, just look around you when a Sachin scores well some day- a century maybe. All else is forgotten on such days.
For those of us who belong to the generation of the 80's born, the desert storm series in '98 of Sachin routing the Australians or again when a Laxman and a Dravid defied the Aussies some years later at Calcutta would be moments that are un-erasable from our collective memories. Go back to those days, relive the mood ... Remember what these did to the national mood.
For all the kids and teens out there, Fire in Babylon is something you should definitely see. You will learn about the strength of character...and of courage. When a Vivian Richards says that he was given a blank cheque to play in South Africa and he refused (he also tells you why), you know that here you are looking at a man or at men who rise beyond being mortals- these are legends. Those last few clippings of Richards and Botham hugging each other and walking alongside after a hard day of cricket also tells you of how one should treat your opponents- these are not enemies. You also learn about vulnerabilities when you have a Colin Croft speaking to you about how cricket was his livelihood and what made him decide to play in South Africa. These are stories you must know- you must hear.
Personally for me, I always had a great deal of respect for Richards. There are many others who I now hold in very high esteem- I never knew about the story of Greenidge or of Lloyd's background. I am glad I know now- at least a bit.
This week you have an option of watching other movies in the hall- an over-hyped burfy and a boring Heroine. If you have the time, go visit the nearest hall that screens Fire in Babylon. I saw it yesterday and there were about 15 people in the hall.
This is one story that should not go unseen...
