Elippathayam

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Elippathayam (The Rat Trap) (1981) is a feature film written and directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan. It is in Malayalam. It is critically considered by many to be one of the most outstanding pieces in Adoor Gopalakrishnan's oeuvre.

This film documents the feudal life in Kerala at its twilight. The protagonist is trapped within himself and is unable to comprehend the changes taking place around him. The film won the British Film Institute award for Most Original and Imaginative film shown at the National Film Theatre in 1982. The film was shown and very well received at a number of film festivals around the world.

[edit] Plot

The film revolves around a young man Unni and his two sisters, and their struggle to let go of Kerala's feudal system of life. His elder sister fights for her share of the spoils, whilst his obedient younger sister works for Unni like a slave. Eventually, succumbing to the adverse conditions surrounding him, he withdraws like a rat into a hole.

[edit] Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:

1982 British Film Institute (UK)

• Won - Most Original and Imaginative film shown at the National Film Theatre - Elippathayam - Adoor Gopalakrishnan

1982 London Film Festival (UK)

• Won - The Sutherland Trophy - Elippathayam - Adoor Gopalakrishnan

1982 National Film Awards (India)

• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography
• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Malayalam) - Elippathayam - Adoor Gopalakrishnan

[edit] External links

• Elippathayam at the Internet Movie Database