Movie Review: Heaven on Earth
I thought I would write a review for DesiGupShup on a very disturbing, yet reflective movie that was released a few months back. Heaven on Earth is a film by Deepa Mehta and it deals with arranged marriages and the experience of desi immigrants in Canada. Issues of control, gender roles, and violence are also highlighted in this amazing movie that uses the Sikh community in Brampton as a microcosm to illustrate what is happening to many desi immigrant families in the GTA.
The story is about Chand, played by Preity Zinta, who immigrates to Canada to marry Rocky in an arranged marriage. Although Rocky’s parents are the ones who selected Chand, Rocky’s mother is worried that she is losing control over her son, and uses guilt and provocation to retain perceived control over her son.
Chand is thrust into a world of violence and hardship. She escapes into her own imagination to deal with the suffering and pain. She is surrounded by people, including her own family, that only care about their own benefit. At her inlaws home, everyone is part of the cycle of violence, control, and guilt which makes everyone think that this is just a normal part of life.
Heaven on Earth is a beautiful, yet painful story that is a reflection of what is happening in the immigrant desi community in the GTA. It is definitely worth watching, but be prepared to be disturbed by what you see. Deepa Mehta hits the nail on the head and paints a very accurate and true picture with Heaven on Earth. It is truly a magnificent film, and is a real eye opener for every one of us.
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This movie is amazing! It touches upon so many issues in our community. Good acting by Preity Zinta as well. A must watch!
Heaven on earth did show a bit of reality of what happens to women who immigrate to Canada and the obstacles they face, however I thought the movie focused more on the internal struggle these women face. The violence, the beatings were not very emphasized, just shown casually as it’s normal and it happens on a daily basis. The message I got from the movie was how these women who are victims of domestic abuse create an escapse from reality for themselves, for their peace of mind. Either through imagination, or when inner desires take their toll, imagination seems to become reality. This movie showed the very thin line between sanity and insanity and left you thinking as to what really happened. I have watched this movie three times already, and each time I think of something different. THat’s the beauty of this movie, the endless hidden messages behind the screen
Watch it again- you’ll know what I mean.
@ Areej: Thanks for your comment.
I do no disagree with you, the movie showed the internal struggle of ‘Chand’. I mention that in the post how she escapes into her own imagination to escape the pain and suffering. Her dream world does indeed become her reality. But what it important is how this is tied into culture and the fact that violence is normalized. Chand is the ultimate victim, but her husband is also a victim of that same cycle – the abuse he suffers is mental at the hands of his mother. He in turns continues that cycle of violence by beating his wife. I think the director was trying to make a very bold statement by showing what she did and how the cycle of violence is ingrained in culture. We cannot lose sight of that point.
I guess I am a bit hardcore when it comes to that argument- someone caught in the middle of the cycle of violence. According to some, he may be a victim, but he is also a grown man. He knows the difference between right and wrong, and he purposely chooses to be in the wrong. There is no excuse, no justification out there because he could have chosen NOT to beat his wife. He was a weak man, not really a victim ( atleast in my eyes). That’s the problem in the society. The weakness of our men, the incabality to stand up against injustice and to break out of this cycle once and for all. It’s unfortunate.
@Areej: Agreed. There is no excuse for violence – there never should be. The character of Chand’s husband is not just a portrayal of a violent man…that is the point I am trying to make. He is a representation of what a lot of young men are going through/doing because of these issues of control. The main point here is that his parents (mainly mother) provoked/instigated/allowed him to engage in this sort of behaviour. There is not excuse for it, but there is most definitely a pattern. If you notice, control via guilt is a very strong weapon of manipulation.
Now aside from this, Chand’s ability to leave her violent husband is a excellent message that illustrates that it is possible to break out of the cycle of violence.