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Such a Long Journey (film)

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Such a Long Journey
Directed bySturla Gunnarsson
Screenplay bySooni Taraporevala
Based onSuch a Long Journey
by Rohinton Mistry
Produced bySimon MacCorkindale
Paul Stephens
StarringRoshan Seth
Soni Razdan
Om Puri
Naseeruddin Shah
Kurush Deboo
Vrajesh Hirjee
CinematographyJan Kiesser
Edited byJeff Warren
Music byJonathan Goldsmith
Production
company
The Film Works
Distributed byAmy International Artists
Release date
  • 1998 (1998)
Running time
113 minutes
CountriesCanada
United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Such a Long Journey is a 1998 Indo-Canadian English language film based on the novel of the same name written by Rohinton Mistry.[1] The film is directed by Sturla Gunnarsson with a screenplay by Sooni Taraporevala.[2] It stars Roshan Seth and Soni Razdan. The film received twelve Genie Awards nominations including the Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.[3] The film was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.[4][5]

Plot

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Gustad Noble (Roshan Seth) is a Parsi bank clerk who lives with his family in Bombay (Mumbai), just before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. At first, he seems to be a self-centered, self-involved, neurotic man, who is so tied up in his own pain for perceived slights both past and present that he cannot seem to connect with either friends or family.

He is haunted by memories of his privileged youth and his father's fortune, which has been lost to the machinations of an unscrupulous uncle. He is baffled by the changes wrought in his eldest son, Sohrab (Vrajesh Hirjee), who refuses to attend the Indian Institute of Technology to which he has gained admittance, and worried about his youngest daughter, Roshan, when she falls ill. Other conflicts involve Gustad's ongoing interactions with his eccentric neighbors and his relationship with his close friend and co-worker, Dinshawji. Tehmul, a seemingly unimportant and mentally disabled character, is essential in Gustad's life, as he brings out his tender side and represents innocence in life.

A letter that Gustad receives one day from an old friend, Major Bilimoria, slowly draws him into a government deception involving threats, secrecy, and large amounts of money. He then begins the long journey that sheds new light on all aspects of Gustad's life.

Production

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The production of the film underwent several challenges related to casting, funding and concerns about censoring. These topics are covered in two interviews in Rungh: the first[6] with the filmmaker Sturla Gunnarsson and the second[7] with the actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ Walz, Eugene P. (1 January 2002). Canada's Best Features: Critical Essays on 15 Canadian Films. Rodopi. p. 383. ISBN 9789042012097 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Scott, A. O. (26 March 2000). "'Such a Long Journey': A Life as Topsy-Turvy as the Streets of Bombay". NY Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Sturla Gunnarsson on Such a Long Journey". Toronto International Film Festival. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Such a Long Journey". Faber & Faber. Retrieved 30 June 2019.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Such A Long Journey". Chocolate Moose Media. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  6. ^ Gill, Sharan (12 March 2022). "Surla vs. the Censors".
  7. ^ Ansari, Rehan (12 March 2022). "Tell That Charlie to Bugger Off". Retrieved 12 March 2022.
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