Kummatty

This is a Malayalam language children's film by G Aravindan.

The film is a visual treat. The beauty of traditional village life in Kerala is artistically captured. The film starts with a view of the rising sun. There are many scenes taken from vista points like hilltops while moving the scene forward. Definitely signs of a master creater with an eye for natural beauty.

The film is a fictional account of a village where a travelling bogeyman (Kummatty) visits. There are myths surrounding such people in villages saying they can convert naughty children to animals and take them away. These are just to ensure children are careful with strangers and also to spook them when they behave naughtily as it happens in this film too.

It's brilliant story writing to make a film with a good moral message around that. The film leaves us with a touching message to be compassionate towards birds and animals. It attempts that we empathize how caged pets would be feeling and the value of freedom.

The film story really starts only in the last half hour and the first hour is really a character sketch of village life when in blissful childhood.

Movie describes Kerala Folklore. Kummatty is one of the best Malayalam movie ever. All the elements are really good. Story, Script, Songs by Kavalam Narayanapanicker Directed by G. Aravindan so on..

Have seen the movie during my childhood in Dooradarshan. Watching it now in adult life, makes me wonder why it still evokes such strong emotions. Glad that this film prints was restored this year (2021) under world film restoration project. Manathoru mayilattom by Kavalam transcends time.

I am angry at myself that I watched the version that was not the 2021 remaster that was presented by Scorsese and instead saw the one that is good quality but doesn't have the same colour correction and details as the newer one. I should have checked that first and for anyone trying to see this, make sure you're watching the correct version to not miss the full effect of the incredible cinematography of this movie.

This is such a sweet folktale that also works as a time capsule of central Kerala during that time. The surreal magical realism of the film works perfectly with minimal dialogue. But I did feel like it shouldn't even have any dialogue with the way most of the dialogue is written and delivered. However, it's the songs that complemented the visuals to make the movie really work. Karukare Karmukil is such an iconic folk song now. The dog was also an incredible actor. How they managed to make it work back then is a wonder.

This and Kanchana Sita, the two G Aravindan films I've seen have their similarities in a way, that both feel like low-budget films that focus more on visual storytelling with a bit of a fantasy narrative. Even though I like both, Kummatty is the superior one for me. Both films have themes that I understand and like, some themes that feel a bit forced, more so over in Kanchana Sita, and a lot of layers I feel I haven't understood fully. Maybe the more I see Aravindan films, the more I'd learn to love the style.

The great thing about this movie is more is depicted in folk songs played and the long shots that have been captured just beautifully ... The movie follows basic idea but executes it beautifully.i would ve understood it even well if i was known with malaylam lieterture more but the folk songs are just beautiful.

You can watch it on youtube its uploaded by potato eater collective.

The acting by actors is great they have still faces and expressive ones ...a mivie where there is a lack of dialouge and such close ups make us feel how the charecter is feeling... it tries to potray people living in period of the film and accomplishes it well... U should give it a try for sure.