Baaz (1953) - Guru Dutt

​I personally love how Geeta Bali weaponizes the male gaze to awaken the Crown Prince of Malabar from his privileged life of ignorance and negligence to see the subjugation inflicted on his people by the Portuguese occupation. She of course then catches feelings and a sweeping romance ultimately rests at the fulcrum of this story but it's quite a strong portrayal of feminity associated with strength and an unwavering spirit regardless. I mean, "The Falcon" is a pretty badass nickname after all. A swashbuckling romance and story of rebellion against Portuguese colonialism that features some wonderfully constructed imagery, exquisite use of lighting, and clinical use of camera movement - all of which seem to very much be staples of Dutt and cinematographer V.K. Murthy accomplished visual language - At least of the 3 films of theirs I've seen lol. There is just an astute understanding of when to move the camera to pronounce the underlying emotions when to invoke expressionist lighting, and the mise-en-scene is impressively realized even in the small spaces of a sea vessel. Out of the gate, this film is abrupt in its characterization of the Portuguese as vile, mean-spirited conquistadors who view the Indian people as nothing but lesser objects to be extorted and exploited for their own gain. This of course just makes it so much more enjoyable when "The Falcon" rallies her people and the prince through their shared love to revolt and agitate the Portuguese by hitting them at the apex of their power - the high seas.