Was watching this other movie, "The Man from Earth" (2007) - a simple story line of a circle of friends who arrange an impromptu goodbye party for one of their colleagues who was moving on after spending around 10 years in their community. One might say..what's so great about it ?
Well, John Oldman (the One who is moving on) while discussing (over a glass of green whiskey) the fact that he did not seem to have aged at all (in the last 10 years) and the possibility of existence of a stone-age man into modern times, triggers the thought process...with an innocent remark.
He recalls that he was lucky to have got a change to sail with Columbus, to discover new worlds (and almost assumed that the world was flat and they may fall off the edge any time). John goes to claim that he is an immortal who has walked the earth for 14,000 years !! What a chance to learn. His colleagues (all acclaimed Prof. and Dr.) would not take it for granted and assume it is a scam that John was trying to pull on them. The human mind immediately take it as it's face value and doubts arise.
As the story evolves, John describes how as a stone age man, he had travelled, hunted and seen the world as it was in those days. He details about the places he had stayed, how his nomadic life became difficult as villages, cities and countries evolved. How centralization of authority caused him to keep changing his identity - as new faces were always looked upon with suspicion.
His colleagues move on from doubt to frustration. They bombard him with question's and John provides controlled answer's that reveals a little more about himself. This provokes more queries and continued interest.
John proceeds to tell how had he had traveled East (towards the rising sun, to get warmer and followed the trades routes), he arrived at India and met Dalai Lama. More queries arise, and he answers every single question immediately without any hesitation (no signs of a con artist). John’s friends swing between semi-belief and doubt. They probe for more answers seeking confirmation. John's presence has everyone hypnotized eager to get a glimpse of the complete truth.
John's touches on the subject of knowledgeable recall, goes on to say how he had traveled back to Rome - with a plan to spread Dalai Lama's preaching.
The plot unfolds into the brutalities of Roman empire and how his simple preachings are picked up and passed on as that of (greek) Yesus, now known as as Jesus Christ. He proceeds to narrate how he could block the pain (crucification) and revive himself (a skill he had learnt during his studies with Dalai Lama) and had tried to escape unnoticed. Unfortunately some his followers were praying at his grave - and thus Jesus was resurrected.
One has to keep wondering if John is an exceptional story teller with a gift of the art of persuasion. One has to watch the movie till the very end to conclude on the final call.
Equivalently, on our own home ground, watching the new NDTV Imagine reality-show "Raaj - Pichle Janam Ka" -- one can only tinker our thoughts and wonder ..."To believe or Not to believe".
PS: If you are looking for action - then "The Man from Earth" - is NOT the movie for you. The entire film is set in a living room and the plot revolves around only conversation and nothing else. No special efforts, no action stunts, no singing or dancing. Just talk.
Do not confuse this movie with an equivalent movie set, in which the complete movie is shot in one room. Guess which one ? It is "12 Angry Men" (the hindi equivalent been "Ek Ruka Hua Faisla").
