Court (2014) — Not Your Regular Courtroom Drama
Court is a story of a person called Narayan Kamble, a folklore singer and an activist who is facing charges in court. He’s been charged of inciting suicide of a sewage worker through his folk music and is now facing a trial.
During Narayan’s trial, we also delve into the lives of defence, the prosecutor and the judge on the case. The Defence lawyer who likes listening to jazz and enjoys drinks at bars is too serious and involved in saving Narayan from getting sentenced. He is an idealist because he believes in fighting for justice for Narayan. He is aware of the systematic oppression that activists and artists face. He knows its never ending, and someday, he will be tired and wrecked by these countless trials. The prosecutor who tries to prove Narayan guilty of performing his art appears to be a realist. She is not chasing morals and ideals that would lead to justice. It appears as if she has accepted her lawyership as a mere profession. Later, she is also seen enjoying a play at a theatre that invokes hatred towards North Indians (esp — from Uttar Pradesh or Bhaiyas as they are referred to as) while fighting in court against the same thing. The judge by this time is the rational person evaluating the arguments and evidences of the case, but not for too long. It feels too ironical to see someone, who is a custodian of the judiciary, whose profession is to evaluate cases on evidences and arguments, and do justice to the court, is unjust and superstitious with his own personal beliefs.
We realise how some norms and laws from back in the days, even before pre-colonial era are still a part of our constitution, and the dire need to update them in the 21st century. In a scene, the judge refuses to a hearing of a middle age woman because she is wearing a sleeveless top. I personally found this to be very funny and sadly ironical at the same time. The morals of judiciary would weaken by sleeveless top and not by outdated laws which are still in effect in 2020.
The film’s pace is as mundane as it could be. There are no high points, or emotional drama, nor is it exploiting your senses with countless cuts or with heavy background music. It just goes on at it’s pace, just like a regular day. It doesn’t want you to be involved in it but just wants you to be a sheer roadside observant of the things happening on screen and that’s what makes it so real to you.
The long uncut scenes before and after Narayan Kamble’s case show us the proceedings in the courts. The denouement after every scene seem pointless, but that’s how the proceedings of the courts are : long, dragged and at times never ending. Justice is often a sign of relief and a cause for celebration, but not in the case of Narayan Kamble and many other activists in our country. As soon as they finish a trial, they are dragged back for another one by some vested socio political interests against them.
Chaitanya Tamhane’s Court is timeless. I believe it would be relevant even after a century from now. Today, our sensibilities and perceptions are derived more from opinions than facts. And opinions are questioned, denounced and even taken offence upon but at the end, truth and only truth, stands of as a testament to justice.
P.S. — Court was Chaitanya Tamhane’s debut film. The film has received a National award. It has also received awards at various festivals in India and over seas. In total, it has won more than 18 awards in various categories.
