Culture contributes to man’s definition within society and man’s relationship to nature. In Mississippi Masala, cultures clash when Mina, a Ugandan-born Indian woman, falls for African-American Demetrius Williams. Demetrius is well on his way to financial success with his own carpet cleaning business. Financial success is vital to a man’s definition with self. Demetrius works tirelessly to build his clientele while keeping an eye on his errant brothers. Having grown up in a predominantly black-African culture, Mina is open to the possibility of an inter-racial relationship.
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MAN’S RELATIONSHIP TO NATURE AND THEMES IN MISSISSIPPI MASALA
The movie shows man’s definition with self, as seen with Demetrius’ performance. Mississippi Masala’s most significant element is its human presence as liberated by director Nair. But Nair doesn’t back away from intimacy as seen in various scenes in the movie. Cinematographer Ed Lachman finds a beautiful range of hues in everything tones to demonstrate man’s relationship to nature. There’s a scene of realistic, utter longing, in which Washington calls Choudhury to confess his desire. Lachman gives distinctness and fusion, a romantic blending at this end of the racial spectrum never looked richer. The movie highlights man’s definition within society and relationship to nature as well as challenges when cultures clash.
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MAN’S DEFINITION WITHIN SOCIETY AND CULTURAL INTERRELATIONSHIPS IMPLICATIONS
The “Masala” of the title refers to a hot and colorful mixture of spices. Man’s definition within society stands out in the cultural interrelationships that play out. On one level, Mississippi Masala is a love story, but it’s effective when considered as a sociological study. The movie shows man’s relationship to nature, especially when people find out Demetrius’ relations with an Indian. An Indian businessman shows a sudden change of heart, demonstrating man’s relationship to nature. He finds out that the black man is involved with an Indian woman and changes his stand. Man’s definition within society and man’s relationship to nature are as a result of this with self.
