Esthappan

esthappan, but they never really saw the real him, they only saw his mystic, legendary form, a modern allegorical figure of christ or prophet. This movie strongly depends on the visual storytelling than any other means of communication, the dreamy, illusive shots, the various setting of coastal, village, poverty, and struggling society helps to establish an surreal character like esthappan, who was fisherman himself but left it to do paint all around the walls of villages. All his drawings reference Jesus. Like in a way he was trying to tell people who have forgotten jesus's ways in their life, to move away from all immoral and illegal things in the life and walk on the lessons of christ. He even himself attempts to abolish their problems by giving away money, healing diseases, giving out food and more, hoping it will reinstate their belief in god. But these acts were often spread across the villages through the gossips and others perception, making them think esthappan is some kind of fraud ,charlatan or magician. Because people will believe and worship a stone, but wont believe in a living man who is trying to do good deeds. Cinematography is a big element in this film which helps set the mood and narrative, the long shots are extensively used for portraying the vastness of the sea and the sky, which in turn portrays the vastness of Esthappan’s intellect. The illusive night shots give a mystic feeling to the movie. All these shots along with the sound design provide a feel that Esthappan is not just a human being, but an omnipresent entity that knows everything and can live in different directions and places at the same time. Its an absolute artistic and philosophical masterpiece.