Heaven on Earth

1. Heaven on Earth

2. Basic Information • Filmed in 2007 and released in 2008 • It is released in India titled Videsh • Inspired by the 1987 Girish Karnad’s novel Nagamadala. • Deepa Mehta’s commercial of YWCA, which calls upon the awareness of domestic violence(DV), is editted before the film.

3. The Serpant Worship in India • Naga, a Sanskrit word for Cobra, refers to great wise snake, and often its figure is quite ambiguous. • The Snake also symbolizes “rebirth”. • Chand’s interpretation on morale of mom’s fable: • “If you’re a snake, never obey your guru.” • “You can protect your self without hurting anyone. That’s what the saint said to the snake.” • Snake – a symbol of evilness for Western Culture, yet a protective figure in the Hindu Culture.

4. Chand’s Family • Chand’s mother teaches Chand what to do as a wife before the male members wake up. • Mama: “We all have our strengths. Use yours. If you have to” • Chand: The woman asks the Water, "Please take me to the land where my mother waits for me. "

5. Chand’s Family • R: Your father called today. • C: When? Did you speak to my mother? Didn't she want to speak to me? • R: No. Just spoke with your father. • Chand’s isolation from her family, who regards the married daughter as another family’s member. • C: My brother doesn't want me back. • CR: He needs you to get him here. It's very simple. • Eager to leave for a better place and unwillingness to reveal the guilt from the family.

6. Unharmonious Family • The mother controls everything in this house. • Rocky, who is closer for Mummyji’s power, has burdened the responsibilities like marriage, sponsoring his brothers, etc. • Rocky disrespects Baldev who has less authority due to his unemployment, which makes Kabir resent. • Most of the family members show less support to Chand’s suffering from the violence. • Fight between the little sibling - The Infection of Violence.

7. Monochrome • The first monochrome scene appears at the honeymoon at Niagara Fall – the excitement of Chand and the lethargy of Rocky toward their marriage event. • Many of this series monochrome Mehta used is to show the desperation and the potential feeling of the characters (mainly Chand’s )

8. Monologue • Many of Chand’s monologue show her eager for her homeland as her ideology toward marriage has broken. • "Chand, this is a good omen. Your blood will make the phulkari soar and fly you home to me. • “Golden kites fly in the sky. Then there is a loud snap. The string of Chand's kite breaks and it floats away . . . Mourn the fate of daughters, O Lord. Mourn their fate O Lord.”

9. Racial Discrimination • R: Somalians are taking over the country, and you let them spray perfume on you. • C: Rosa is Jamaican. • R: What did you say? • A: Who wants black people as friends? • A: You know why Rosa stinks of perfume? Blacks never bathe. • R: Fucking kids. Born here and think they're white.

10. Character - Chand • Restrained, but open-minded wife who regards being a good wife in her new life as a marriage ideology. • Later, she has been submissive when suffering the torture from the whole family and the DV from Rocky. • Always reveal her desire to homeland. (Please take me to the land where my mother waits for me.)

11. Character - Rocky • Originally gentle, shy like a girl • Tired of marriage as familial obligation • Bearing almost every burden from the family, his pressure outbursts by abusing Chand. • Alienation to other races.

12. Character - Rosa • The sophisticate, tough Jamaican female worker who worries about Chand’s suffering. • The cause of Chand’s illusion for Giving the magic root to Chand (Instant Love) • Partially discriminated by Aman and Rocky.

13. Character - Mummyji • The main source of this family’s pressure. • Want herself as the most authoritative one in the family (R: You'll always be my first priority.) • Very passive and stubborn toward her son’s abuse (Don't cry child. This is normal in married life.)

14. Character – Aman & Baldev • Aman • Has to work and earn money for the other male members. • Typical traditional wife • Sometimes too practical (Have a Tylenol. They’ll dock your pay) • A little bit racism(Blacks don’t bathe.) • Baldev • Workless, rather inferior than his younger brother in the family. • Often unconcerned of the domestic trouble, but aware of his sister-in-law’s extramarital relations.

15. Character – Kabir • The grandson • Rebellious to the family authority, the only member who speaks English in the house. • Feeling unfair for his father’s status (Don’t talk to my dad like that!) • He could only take revenge to Nummyji or Rocky but to Chand and Papaji, who are authoritatively inferior. • Still retain some humanity (admitting his guilt, soothing his sister)

16. Character - Loveleen • The granddaughter • Innocent, optimistic family member, few of the members who sometimes supports Chand. • Still dream of the peace of family (Do you know you’re my favorite uncle?) • Unable to claim her uncle’s DV (She’s busy.)→ Immediately cry for the violence.

17. Character - Papaji • One of the few members who is not only Chand’s supporter of the family but an ineffective male. • Clearly see the most truth of this family (You’re impatient for his marriage now you regret it) • Doing sport when going outside.

18. Character – Rocky (the Cobra) • Cobra – Chand’s illusion which supports her and becomes the ideology of her marriage and love toward husband. • Cobra “Aren’t I who you desire?” • He also plays the role of Chand’s reminder of truth, encouraging her to stick to her innocence and dignity. • Cobra “The boat can’t take you home.” “You can’t go home.” • “If you tell the truth, he won’t bite you.”

19. Chand “Can our desires be so powerful... that they take on human form...and walk right into our lives? Can this be possible?” • Cobra “If you want it to be.” • “I’ll come with you, Chand.” • Chand’s determination sprouts to take her illusion (ideology) and even try to make it practical in reality.

20. Hope – Confession of Truth • Kabir’s first attempt to protest against Rocky – and his willingness to confess his guilt after his sister’s crying. → A new challenge against the traditional authority • Chand‘s struggle to confess the truth → have the courage to claim herself innocent→ decides to leave the house • Though awaring the difference between illusion and reality, she doesn’t deny her illusion(ideology) and fights against the reality.

21. Question • 1. What would be the main cause of this family’s potential pressure? • 2. What does the dancing scene at the beginning imply? • 3. Why Deepa Mehta apply the Monochrome-style to several scenes and what do they suggest? • 4. Is there any evidence showing why and how does Kabir confess his fault? • 5. What would the Cobra suggest in Chand’s aspect?

22. Reference • Naga – Wikipedia. Wikipedia. May 12, 2010. • <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_(mythology)>