Reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

July 19, 2023
7.0
Though I really did not much care for the busyness of this documentary, it does offer us a fascinating - and worrying - glimpse into the state of journalism in this most populated of democracies. It follows acclaimed anchorman Ravish Kumar who fronts the NDTV primetime news slot. His style of investigative reporting is to challenge the establishment on a range of legitimate issues and gradually, we see how the zeal of others makes his life a living hell. He is accused of being a traitor, amongst other things, and has a permanent police bodyguard as the threats to his person, his home and his family are real and violent. It is all the more concerning that, at a time when there is increasing clamour from some quarters for more state regulation around the world, it becomes clear that the state is not averse to a bit of censorship too. Though none of this is specifically proven here, the jamming of their transmissions, the investigations into their staff and the generally threatening nature of those with attitudes opposed to his free thought style of reporting has a chilling effect on not just us watching it, but on his colleagues who find themselves gradually tiring of the constant intimidation and the feeling they are banging their heads against a wall. Vinay Shukla also illustrates quite effectively that whilst the West is banging on about historical racism, the divides in this huge nation are current, visceral and largely based on religious lines - a sort of historically rooted religious sectarianism that is as irrational as it is unpleasant. There is a scene in which Kumar complains about too much information on the screen, and that is a flaw I would level against this production as an whole. It is far too hurried. The style of presentation is repetitive (how many opening links do we need to see?) and the constant use of the competitors broadcasts is effective for a while but loses context - you will probably have to be much more familiar with the Indian television market than I am to fully understand just who is who, and for what they stand - and a few moments of explanation at the top would have helped enormously. That said, though, Kumar comes across as a considered and responsible man determined to keep the agenda based on what actually matters to the people of his country, and not just to the jingoistic - and though set in the vibrancy of India, this could apply just as readily in territories where the media emphasis is capable of corrupting the debate and, potentially, the lives of many.

Recommendation Movies

4.7
Action
View
4.7
3 Days in Malay
3 Days in Malay2023
6.8
Action
View
6.8
Twisters
Twisters2024
5.9
Fantasy
View
5.9
Underworld: Blood Wars
Underworld: Blood Wars2016
6.8
Action
View
6.8
The Fate of the Furious
The Fate of the Furious2017
7.5
Action
View
7.5
Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok2017
7.3
Action
View
7.3
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Spider-Man: Homecoming2017
7.2
Action
View
7.2
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman2017
8.2
Family
View
8.2
Coco
Coco2017
7
Adventure
View
7
Finding Dory
Finding Dory2016
7.8
Action
View
7.8
Logan
Logan2017
6.9
Horror
View
6.9
Zombieland: Double Tap
Zombieland: Double Tap2019
6
Action
View
6
Transformers: The Last Knight
Transformers: The Last Knight2017
6.1
Comedy
View
6.1
Magic Mike XXL
Magic Mike XXL2015
7.6
Action
View
7.6
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier2014
6.8
Romance
View
6.8
Step Up All In
Step Up All In2014
7.8
Fantasy
View
7.8
How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon2010
6.9
Horror
View
6.9
Insidious
Insidious2011
6.2
Action
View
6.2
The Meg
The Meg2018
7.4
Adventure
View
7.4
Captain America: Civil War
Captain America: Civil War2016
7.6
Science Fiction
View
7.6
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 22017
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt