April 30, 2016
3:30 p.m.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
May 1, 2016
3:15 p.m.
Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley
May 4, 2016
9:00 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse, San Francisco
Country(ies): India/USA
Language(s) Kannada
Year: 2016
Running time: 123
Director(s): Raam Reddy
In a small South Indian village in Karnataka, a cantankerous centenarian known as Century Gowda suddenly keels over and dies—setting the stage for a capricious comedy of errors among three generations of dissimilar sons. Century’s middle-aged grandson Thamanna, driven by money and status, is determined to acquire property that Century owned, but which now belongs to Century’s eldest son and Thamanna’s father, Gadappa. But Gadappa has little interest in the material world; with his long white beard and shoeless feet, he is an aimless roamer seeking freedom, simplicity and some cheap alcohol. For Thamanna’s cocky teenage son Abhi (who proves as inept as his father at good decision-making), lust and desire are primary motivations as he attempts to woo a female member of a tribe of nomadic sheepherders. Conflict, confusion, corruption and a series of ill-conceived actions all come to a head at the final ritual celebration for Century (the titular thithi), a grand (and expensive) affair attended by the entire village. With its charming cast of non-professional actors—both human and ovine—director Raam Reddy’s feature film offers a playful portrait of intergenerational conflicts and differences. —Joanne Parsont
