Ram Gopal Bajaj
Historical fact blends with high-flying fiction as Jackie Chan steps into dual roles as a determined archeologist and a loyal general of China's first emperor in director Stanley Tong's lavish historical action film. Jack (Chan) is an intrepid archeologist in search of a mythical gemstone that is said to have the power to defy gravity. Though Jack's days are spent traversing the globe with scientist sidekick William (Tony Leung Ka-fai) in hopes of finding the elusive gem, at night in his dreams he assumes the role of General Meng-yi, devoted servant of Emperor Qin Shi-huang. As Jack and William venture to the mystical Heavenly Palace -- a wondrous fortress rumored to have been built by Qin Shi-huang himself -- Jack's vivid nocturnal journeys find him falling head-over-heels for the emperor's comely Korean consort Ok-soo (Kim Hee-seon). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jackie Chan, Kim Hee-seon, (more)
- 1997
This UK-German drama has a completely Indian cast and setting. Successful classical Indian singer Pallavi (Kaushalya Gidwani) has been coached in the Hindi musical traditions by her mother, singer Kalruna Devi (Kapila Vatsyayan). When Kalruna dies, Pallavi suffers a trauma that results in the loss of her voice. In quick succession, she then loses her career, her students, and her husband (Bhaveen Gosain). On the brink of madness, Pallavi learns to sing again by imitating a voice channeled through a child. Shown at the 1997 Venice Film Festival, this film's English title is Dance of the Wind. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kaushalya Gidwani, Kapila Vatsyayan, (more)
In this India-set Canadian drama, two disparate wives related by marriage and united at first by the oppressiveness of Indian tradition that relegates them to miserable unions, find solace and love in each other's arms. The film opens as an unhappy young couple, Jatin and Sita, fumble through a conversation. Neither wanted to marry each other, but as it was arranged by Jatin's family, they had no choice. Marriage does not stop Jatin, who owns a video store, from continuing his long-time love affair with a Chinese hairdresser. Caring nothing for Sita, he doesn't even try to hide the affair. Jatin's brother Ashok (who forced Jatin's marriage) is married to Radha. Deeply frustrated at her inability to conceive, he has joined a radical cult that forbids all sexual contact. Ashok and Jatin's demanding mother doesn't help matters nor does the family's twisted servant Mundu. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
