NEWS

The Davidson Film Club is pleased to invite you to a discussion of The Lunchbox, a multiple award-winning Indian film, including a Director’s Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, on Saturday, November 20, at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom.

“A gentle, understated romantic drama that finds a delicious level of anxiety in the wait for a final answer.” Leigh Paatsch, Herald Sun (Australia)

Directed by Ritesh Batra

India (2013, 1h44)

In Arabic with English subtitles

*The Davidson Film Club will remain virtual in November owing to the continuing high level of COVID cases brought on by the Delta variant. We hope to return to the Armour Street Theatre in January for the beginning of our next series.

We will discuss The Lunchbox on Zoom on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:00 p.m. Here is the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84536946768?pwd=WStlY1BLVVNISVlPSGdHNkF3U3l1UT09

 

Meeting ID: 845 3694 6768
Passcode: 337400

Discussion will be led by Dr. Job Thomas, a native of India and a highly distinguished Professor Emeritus at Davidson College specializing in East Asian history and art.
There is no membership fee for this program, only, at most, the modest cost of the on-line film rental that yields no revenue to the Davidson Film Club.
The Lunchbox may be obtained by mail from Netflix for subscribers, or rented on Vudu for $2.99 at: https://www.vudu.com/content/movies/details/The-Lunchbox/513203?cmp=rt_where_to_watch
OR on Prime Video for the same price at:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KGQ8VO0/ref=pv_ag_gcf?cmp=rt_where_to_watch&tag=rottetomao-20

Film Summary:

Middle class housewife Ila, in Mumbai, is trying once again to add some spice to her marriage, this time through her cooking. She desperately hopes that this new recipe will finally arouse some kind of reaction from her neglectful husband. She prepares a special lunchbox to be delivered to him at work, but, unbeknownst to her, it is mistakenly delivered to another office worker, Saajan, a lonely man on the verge of retirement. Curious about the lack of reaction from her husband, Ila puts a little note in the following day’s lunchbox, in the hopes of getting to the bottom of the mystery. . .

Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer 97%!

Nominated for Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA (British Oscars) Awards. 28 wins and 38 nominations in all including multiple Best Director, Best Film, Best First Feature, Best Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Actor, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

“The way to a stranger’s heart is through his stomach. Part romance, part wise comedy, all true to its Mumbai setting, the debut feature from Ritesh Batra is a mouth-watering treat.” Paul Byrnes, Sydney Morning Herald

 “Batra’s characters are a delight. They may be of Mumbai, infused with intense desi flavours, but can inhabit any part of the world.” Shubhra Gupta, The Indian Express

“The Lunchbox has a wonderful sense of place and real life going on–the city, the trains, the tedious offices, the suburban flat. It’s full of humor and humanity.” Alexa Dalby, Dog and Wolf

“Subtle is also the best way to describe Batra’s treatment of the characters’ emotions in the film, and this is brought onscreen by the astonishing performances of the lead actors.” Antonio Sison, National Catholic Reporter

“The Lunchbox is a moving drama with a gentle touch. The story and characters feel simple and real, pensive but not melancholy. The film is about two people trying to make a connection in a world of tension and contradiction. Indian metropolitan culture is presented as bustling and quiet, crowded with great distance, its people being wistful yet responsible. The Lunchbox is a film with universal appeal.” Spectator Review

 Our updated website at www.davidsonfilmclub.com features the whole up-coming series (August-November 2021) and film descriptions. Have you Bookmarked it? 

We are a non-profit, tax-exempt organization run by volunteers that only exists to bring you fine international fiction films and engage in stimulating discussion about them.

Hope to see many of you on Zoom on Saturday, Nov. 20, for the discussion of this poignant, deeply touching drama! Please share the Zoom link with your friends! There is no charge by the Film Club, and there is room for everyone!
Alan Singerman
President, Davidson Film Club
[email protected]
(704) 231-6736