Review of Ship of Theseus (2012) by Nikhil N — 18 Sep 2015

I have grown up to Indian cinema, from Malayalam to Hindi; and at times even Tamil. So I guess it is safe to assume that my love for cinema has stemmed from these films. While a lot of Indian films have fascinated me, and a lot of them are truly great, I had never found a movie which I could absolutely love head-over-heels. A film which has enriched me and with which I have no gripes. Cinema at its best - is what I call it. Across both Malayalam and Hindi films, not one film had moved me enough for me to give it a perfect 5; An Indian film to include to my Masterpiece column. That is, until I watched a small little 2013 independent film directed by Anand Gandhi, The Ship Of Theseus (TSOT).

It was the same year everyone went gaga over The Lunchbox (I loved it too!), and went bonkers when it wasn't selected as our official entry for the Academy Awards.Though it was praised by both critics and contemporary filmmakers, TSOT didn't gather much attention, and went into oblivion. Until of course it won the National Film Award for best feature film.

The title itself is very complex. Taken from the famous Greek philosophical thought experiment, Ship Of Theseus refers to Theseus Paradox, which raises the question as to whether an object which has all its components replaced, remains fundamentally the same object. The movie itself begins asking us the same, and then goes on to tell us three seemingly different stories, first of a blind Egyptian photographer who is unsatisfied with her results following her restored vision, then of a monk whose very faith is at crossroads with his life and leaving him to choose, and that of a young stockbroker who is grappled with questions pf ethics and morality after undergoing a kidney transplantation. To talk anything more about the plot would be blasphemous and would ruin your experience. Suffice to say debutant Gandhi masterfully intertwines three different stories, while posing pertinent questions regarding your identity, i.e, whether you are the same person you were years ago.

The movie itself has taken a subject so bold and ambitious that you will be bowled over by it. It raises questions of faith, morality and identity while skillfully contemplating the cycle of life and death. Gandhi amazed me with the confidence with which he handled the subject without once faltering. The attention to detail is apparent right from the first frame. Little things, like the monk Maitreya's young lawyer friend's name, Charvaka (in reference to the ancient Indian athiest) and the term "Pastafarian" (an allusion to the followers of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster), shows the hard work behind this exquisite work.

The performances are exceptional. From casting Aida El-Kashef as the blind photographer Aaliya, to Neeraj Kabi as the ailing monk Maitreyi, Gandhi has displayed a talent for picking unknown faces and getting the best out of them. Most of the actors are amateur, so as scale down the budget but at no point does this hamper she artistic value of the film. Neeraj Kabi, with his disarming smile, sweet voice and ethereal face, has put in a brilliant performance as the monk tormented by his internal conflicts. His conversations are exceptionally written and his interaction with his friend Charvaka is something like intellectual fodder for the viewers.

Talking about mere technicalities would only undermine the greatness of his film. Everything, from the screenplay, dialogues, cinematography, editing from casting is as it should be - perfect. The music skillfully complements to the film's narrative and contributes to the film's overall ambiance. What is so beautiful is the subtlety with which Gandhi has handled the subject. The movie prompts us to think (how many Indian movies actually manage to do that?) and motivates us to a self-introspection, on our very identity and beliefs.

The Ship Of Theseus is one of the few movies which have been a spiritual experience for me. The ambition and flair that Anand Gandhi has displays has rarely been surpassed and his talent is up there with legends like Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrik and Terrence Malick .The Ship Of Theseus is up there with 2001:A Space Odyssey and The Tree Of Life for being philosophically stimulating and morally ambiguous. At the end, the paradox is still unanswered, and that is how it is supposed to be. It is a movie that every Indian cinephile has been waiting for years. And now that it has arrived, let us cherish this masterpiece for all that it is. For we may not get another gem like this!