DREAMS & CHAOS (SEASON 1 &2): AN HONEST REVIEW

As most of the viewers might know, Dreams & Chaos web series is adapted from Sentilong Ozukum’s two novels, Campus Blues (2010) and Dreams & Chaos (2020), the latter title was used as the series’ name. Readers might find the screenplay a bit different from the narration of the novels, like I did. But it is a common method which is implied by the Screenwriter and the Director when a movie or series is made from a novel, the best example being, The Game of Thorns. It is all about requirements and limitations. Anyway, in this review, I will list out some of the strong points, as well as the not so strong points. Hope I won’t be butchered for my opinions and observations.  

Strong Points 

• The ensemble of talented cast: Super talented Kilangtemsu Imsong has essayed the role of Moluti with utmost dedication. He was flawless with his dialogues and the body gestures. He carried both the two seasons on his shoulders. Being the main protagonist of the two novels, he did complete justice to the character of Moluti in the web series. In the Season 1, Senti was the breakout character and in the Season 2, Ali was the breakout character. As for the others, some of whom we have already seen in Dreamz Unlimited videos are powerhouse of talent. Hence, it goes without saying, they all gave a stellar performance.  
• The Direction: Often, a good screenplay is gone wasted if it is directed poorly. Hence, direction is the key for a good movie. One can easily say, the direction of this web series was praised worthy from excellent cinematography to editing to good choice of locations to selection of characters.  
• The Sound Track: Songs and Music play an important role in movies and web series in creating the right mood, unless it is a silent show. The background music and the songs of Dreams & Chaos were able to convey the emotions which enhanced the performance of the actors. 
• The Right Issue: ‘Unemployment’ should be a matter of concern not only for policymakers and unemployed individuals but also for every household. After all, Nagaland is the state with the highest rate of unemployment in India. Church being the second highest employment generator in Nagaland has as enormous role to play when it comes to eradicating the menace of unemployment. The second Season of Dreams & Chaos has highlighted it well. Why depend on the state alone for employment opportunities when non-state players are making a humble attempt to solve the issue of unemployment. On a philosophical note, the Biblical verses about hope in God, hard work and prosperity can be executed by the Church through employment generation and it doesn’t have to be clergical job always. 

Not So Strong 

• Lack of Chemistry between the leads: I don’t know whether it is only me or the other viewers too to observe the lack chemistry between the two main leads, Ali and Moluti played by Limasenla and Kilang. In Season 1, they are the long-lost friends, awkwardness and reviving those old feelings but there too, the fire was missing, and the ice did the talking. Chemistry between the leads for those scenes should be like Kajol and SRK in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, meeting up after a long gap in junior Anjali’s summer camp. In Season 2 too, even as best friends the chemistry was missing, I don’t want to cite Anjali and Rahul from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai again, hope you got the point. Ali’s feeling was not reciprocated but I didn’t even feel sorry for her as, ‘you belong to/with him’ placard was best kept under my pillow. On the other hand, the chemistry between Moluti’s sister and his soon to be brother-in-law is worth mentioning. Indeed, the senior couple, rocks! But individually, Kilang and Limasenla have impressed us with their screen presence, no doubt.
• Moluti in Campus Blues vs. Moluti in Season 2: For me, Season 1 of The Promised Neverland was better than Season 2 and I say the same about Dreams & Chaos. In Season 1, Moluti had a baggage to carry; the baggage of unemployment, for this, Kilang’s eyes did the talking. Depressed, lost, defeated and giving up on life, the whole panorama of emotions in Moluti’s life was well portrayed by Kilang. On the other hand, if we refer to the novel, Campus Blues for Season 2, Moluti was more of a happy go lucky, carefree, learning the process of living, having doubts as well as hope for his future, it was more of a coming-of-age novel. But, in Season 2, Kilang seemed to carry the baggage of Season1; there was this tension he carried which was made apparent by his eyes. It was like; Kilang could not get out from the role he played in Season 1. Nonetheless, it did not in any way shadow his performance and it goes without saying, he is a good actor. 

That is all for now. You can write in the comment section about your thoughts. Thank you!

Don't Be a Freeloader

Freeloader: A person who takes advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return.

It is a shame to be a parasite. To depend on someone for our wants or needs without showing gratitude by returning the favour to the one who offers it. A term for such people, often used in a derogatory way is, Freeloader. Someone who hogs on something or everything that too for freeee! No price paid. Opportunist pales away in front of the freeloader. After some experiences, people tend to avoid such people.

It's true, not everyone is blessed financially to pay back the favour or to execute it materially. However, if someone shares a ride home from the office, every day of the week, and we don't have enough cash to fill the gas for her then washing the car for her during the weekends, would be a good way of showing gratitude. If a person paid our medicine bills, but over the months, God forbid, he gets sick too, and we can't return his help through financial means. What we can do is, volunteer to run hospital errands for him or take care of his home or garden when he is on his sick bed at home. The point here is, there are many ways through which we can return someone's help, we just ought to have a grateful heart. 

Lastly, it is not always give and take. Sometimes, some favours cannot be returned. True friendship is not built on keeping an account of those favours. However, making a habit of accepting favours but no offering anything in return is plain cheap. It's like taking advantage of someone's kindness. Indeed, there is a saying, Takers don't have a limit, the Giver should mark a boundary. 

Peace and Prosperity to all. Bye for now.