Por Una Cabeza

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Note 1: If you are wondering what the title is, it is a spanish tango music piece by Carlos Gardel.

Note 2: If you are wondering why I wrote this, don't. Because, if you are wondering, you aren't supposed to know.
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I knew what that man, Al Pacino, was capable of when I saw 'Scarface' 5 years back. What I don't know is that how could I not have seen 'Scent of a woman' until a month back. If you haven't, watch it NOW. It is pure magic.

Coming back to Por Una Cabeza. When I wrote 'I See You', the lyrics were the beauty. And therein lies its fallacy. And therein does Por Una shine. Yes, there are lyrics, but the music is fascinating and haunting. Play it once, you will crave for more. Play it twice, you want more. And before you know it, you are playing it on loop, can't get it out of your head, and would go something like this -> "Damn! I am playing it on loop, want to stop it, but can't. There! It started playing again!" And the beauty is, if you are playing it on loop, the distinction between the beginning and the end fades away.

Losing by a head...

if she forgets me,

doesn't matter to lose

my life a thousand times;

what do I live for?

To me, this piece of music is memorable because of the fascinating performance by Al Pacino in 'Scent of a woman'. A full orchestra performance can be found here. But the performance I am talking about is embedded below. There are a couple of things about this scene which amazes me.

Al Pacino is a blind retired army-man. A man of class, and a man of taste. He is with this young gentleman at a restaurant. And, they discover a pretty young lady across the hall. He decides to approach her for a dance. Teach her to tango. The girl is hesitant, but agrees, and the man is confident, and smiling. When the movements begin, the girl gets conscious. And once they get into the rhythm, the girl begins to lose her inhibitions, and forgets about the people watching. Then she lets go, and magic happens! :) And the expressions Al Pacino and Gabrielle Anwar give! :O

And, since I don't expect you to believe what I say just by reading these words, watch it, and experience it for yourself!

Many deceptions, losing by a head...

I swore a thousand times not to insist again

but if a look sways me on passing by

her lips of fire, I want to kiss once more.

PS: Since after watching this clip, you will want to watch more, here is an extended clip.

PPS: It is natural for guys to go - "I want to dance like that!". Just know that it took Al Pacino a week to rehearse and 3 days to shoot this gorgeous scene.

Por Una Cabeza...

I See You

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Note 1: I have blogged about "Love" before - Love (and Networks). For that matter, I have blogged about Avatar before too - The Pandora that is KGP. This one is almost like a tribute, referenced to a movie which released exactly 6 months ago, that is still driving people crazy all over the world. :)

Note 2: Doctors reading this, please DO NOT confuse 'I See You' with 'I.C.U'; it will kill the charm these words have. For the rest, DO NOT confuse this with the movie 'I See You', a movie which came and went, and no-one bothered to "see".

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Avatar is one movie that has so many interpretations, so many themes and inspirations, so detailed, shot so tastefully and aesthetically, that this was probably the reason why people all across the planet fell in love with Avatar and the mythical Pandora.

While on one hand it has political overtones, it is about colonialism, it addresses an environmental issue, it is about a philosophical self-discovery, on the other hand, it is a plain, simple, honest, pure and divine love-story. And, this movie gives us one of the most romantic lines written for cinema, ever. 'I See You'. I am not aware of any other movie that makes seeing such a metaphor! Seeing, truly seeing, right into each other. "No-one can teach you to see". Yet, the moment you begin to see, the feeling is indescribable.

Jake enters into Pandora's dreamy wilderness, and is discovered by Neytiri. The first time they meet, we know that they are meant to be together. Even Jake knows, you can see it in his eyes. He is almost killed by Neytiri. But, there is a sign, a sign for Neytiri, by the sacred tree, Ewya. It beats logic, yet it doesn't seem illogical. It is meant to be.

Walking through a dream

I See You...

Jake: "Fine, if you love your little forest friends, why not just let them kill me instead? Why save me?"

Neytiri: "Why save you? Why save you? ... You have a strong heart. No fear."

Neytiri teaches Jake the Na'vi ways. Jake experiences higher perception through 'tsahaylu', the bond. He is able to connect to nature around him, in an absolutely new perspective. The 'civilised humans' turn out as primitive, jaded and increasingly greedy, cynical, and brutal — traits only amplified by their machinery — while the 'monkey aliens' emerge as noble, kind, wise, sensitive and humane.

You teach me how to see

All that’s beautiful

My senses touch your world I never pictured

I pray in my heart that this world never ends

Tsu'tey is the heir to the chieftainship of the tribe. And Neytiri his partner, naturally. Jake is an alien, not of their race, not even trusted by the clan, yet, he comes close to Neytiri. Against that which is natural.

Jake: "Oe-l nga-ti kameie. I see you!"

Norm: "But, its not just like 'I see you in front of me', its more like 'I see into you, I see you, your soul, I understand you' "

My light in darkness breathing hope of new life

Now I live through you and you through me

I pray in my heart that this dream never ends

I see me through your eyes

Neytiri takes Jake to the 'Tree of Voices', where prayers are heard, and sometimes answered. He becomes an Omaticaya, and has to choose a woman.

Jake: "I've already chosen. But this woman must also choose me."

Neytiri: "She already has."

They bond through the 'tsahaylu', a bond into each other, completely surrendered to each other, that when made, cannot be broken in the lifetime. It is a spiritual and divine connection between two lovers.

As destiny would have it, there were problems, mistrust, and fear. Eventually, its love that brings them back together.

Neytiri: "I was afraid Jake, for my people, I am not anymore."

When my heart was never open

(and my spirit never free)

To the world that you have shown me

But my eyes could not division

All the colours of love and of life ever more

Oe-l nga-ti kameie

I See You

I See You...

Listen to this song now, and you shall see. :)

Lefpom ftxozä!

I C U . . .