Chemman Chaalai

Film Info:

Original Title: CHEMMAN CHAALAI

English Title: The Gravel Road

Country: Malaysia

Genre: Family Drama

Duration 92 Minutes

Language: Tamil, Malay, Mandarin and English

Subtitles: English subtitles

Year: 2005

Production & Distribution Credits

One Hundred Eye & MyFoto Studio

Deepak Menon Film Credits:

Co-Producer 

Original Story 

Co-Writer

Screenplay 

Director

Editor

Main Cast Credits:

Saratha Maran

Gandhi Nathan

Saran Kumar

Shangkara

Synopsis

Chemman Chaalai is a drama set in the 1960s in a rubber estate in Malaysia. The story revolves around a rubber tapers family living in the estate. Shantha comes from a poor family. She lives in an estate, where higher education for woman is near impossible. Shantha aspires to leave the estate and further her studies. However, due to many unfortunate circumstances this dream becomes a difficult one to achieve.

Director's Note

Malaysian Indians have little control on the economy and politics in Malaysia. A way forward would be education. Chemman Chaalai is full of hope. The film emphasis on the importance of education for the growth of the community and nation.

Awards & Nominations

Best Alternative Film, Anugerah Skrin TV3

Special Jury Award, Nantes Festival 3 Continents, France

Opening Film, Asian Film Symposium, Singapore

In Competition, Bangkok Int. Film Festival

Malaysian Screenings / Publications

ASTRO Vaanavil

Golden Screen Cinemas, International Screens, Kuala Lumpur & Penang

Kelab Seni Filem, Private Screenings

International Screenings / Publications

48th San Francisco Int. Film Fest, US

34th Rotterdam Int. Film Fest, The Netherlands

27th Nantes Festival 3 Continents, France

20th Tokyo Int. Film Fest, Japan

15th Fukuoka International Film Festival, Japan

10th Pusan Int. Film Festival, Korea

9th Toronto Reel Asian Film Fest, Canada

8th Buenos Aires Festival Independent Cinema, Argentina

7th Barcelona Asian Film Festival, Spain

7th Osian’s Cinefan Film Festival, India

6th Kaushung International Film Fest, Taiwan

Asian Film Symposium, Singapore

Bangkok Int Film Fest

MOV International Film Festival, Philippines

Appraisals

“The Gravel Road (Chemman Chaalai), from young Malaysian director Deepak Kumaran Menon, is one of the loveliest and most movinfilms I’ve seen in years. One has had grounds for asking recently: is this still possible, a work that never strikes a wrong emotional or dramatic note, that uses the camera to evoke quite precise and definite moods, whose performances (by non-professionals) are understated and nearly flawless, that contains a subtle but persistent and deeply-felt protest against social and national oppression? Such a film exists. And one has to feel heartened by its appearance.” – David Walsh, World Socialist Website

“Quietly lyrical "The Gravel Road," Chemman Chaalai's first feature, observes life on a rubber estate with the kind of delicate attention to detail that recalls Satyajit Ray” - Dennis Harvey, Variety.com

“The Gravel Road is an equally rare instance of Tamil-language Malaysian filmmaking. At once brooding and beautifully shot mainly in moonlit forest groves and lonely, muddy lanes, Menon's story (from a screenplay by his mother) about a teenage girl's determination to stay in school despite her family's desire that she uphold tradition and surrender to a life of menial day work takes equal inspiration from Satyajit Ray's Apu trilogy and Malcolm X's assertion that a race, like an individual, can only find fulfillment through confidence, talent, and an unwavering belief in itself.” – Chuck Stephens, The San Francisco Bay, Guardian

“In simple and honest style, Menon tells a story that captures the plight of a typical working class family… The story is told in the typical style of an independent film and therefore something that all discerning cinema-goers should experience. Most things are implied but the result is powerful. Without being obviously tragic, the film is sad and touching but presents hope as well.” – Rubin Khoo, The Star

“A lens on the Malaysian margins” – Lim Li Min, International Herald Tribune

“Motivation for the poor Indian teen in the estate, perhaps. But the film could serve a larger purpose motivating his race, independent filmmakers, and Malaysians at large to be proud of our cultural heritage, especially the things that remind us of how humble we once were.” – Brian Yap, KLUE

“The first thing we think about when someone mentions an Indian movie is the dancing, singing and generally 3 hours of (sometimes) torture. However, "Chemman Chaalai" (The Gravel Road), the first Malaysian Tamil feature movie, isn't your typical Bollywood fare. Instead, it is a film of self-discovery, and a look into the life of Malaysian estate Indians in the 60's.” – Nigel Yap, Cinema Online

“The strength of Chemman Chaalai is in the sparkling subtleties with which it depicts the socio-political and cultural inadequacies of the Indian community at large.” – Nantha Kumar, The Star

Contact

DEEPAK KUMARAN MENON

Email: deepak.kumaran.menon@gmail.com

Blog: deepakmenon888.blogspot.com