The Pagna Equinox Celebration is a traditional festival celebrated by the indigenous peoples of Pagna, a small village located in the mountains of a remote region. This festival is held annually during the equinox, a time when the day and night have equal lengths. The celebration begins with the entire village coming together to prepare for the festivities. The villagers clean and decorate their homes, streets, and gathering places with vibrant flowers, colourful banners, and traditional ornaments. The air is filled with excitement and a sense of unity as everyone works together to create a festive atmosphere. On the day of the equinox, the villagers dress in their traditional attire, which usually consists of brightly coloured clothing and elaborate headdresses adorned with feathers and beads.
So my Ryan Reynolds obsession has led me to the more obscure entries in his filmography. In Ordinary Magic, his first feature film (at age 16 - so this is decidedly *not* a film that pings my physical attraction, I’m not that peverted), he is genuinely superb as Jeffrey, a Canadian raised in India who comes to live with his Aunt in Ontario following the death of his father. The film explores, in quite restrained ways, the small town prejudices people foster when faced with Jeffrey’s “strangeness”, including his Aunt. Yet he quickly becomes a good friend to his Aunt and a couple of classmates at his school, and eventually an essential ally when his Aunts house is threatened with…
In Ordinary Magic, his first feature film at age 16 - so this is decidedly not a film that pings my physical attraction, I m not that peverted , he is genuinely superb as Jeffrey, a Canadian raised in India who comes to live with his Aunt in Ontario following the death of his father. Yet he quickly becomes a good friend to his Aunt and a couple of classmates at his school, and eventually an essential ally when his Aunts house is threatened with.
On the day of the equinox, the villagers dress in their traditional attire, which usually consists of brightly coloured clothing and elaborate headdresses adorned with feathers and beads. They gather at a central location, where a large bonfire is lit. The bonfire symbolizes the balance between light and darkness that is characteristic of the equinox.
Film Review: Ordinary Magic
Growing up in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I saw a lot of “family entertainment” movies, many of which I will be going back and doing reviews for on this site. The 90s saw a huge increase in these lower-budget family movies, one of which is Ordinary Magic. Ordinary Magic was released in 1993 and is the feature film debut of Ryan Reynolds. It is based on the novel Ganesh by Malcom Bosse and directed by Jefferson Lewis.
The film opens with a scene of a 15-year-old boy, Ganesh (Ryan Reynolds) digging up a small tin containing money and photos. We quickly learn our story takes place first, and through flashbacks, in India before Ganesh travels to a Canadian winter to stay with his aunt, Charlotte (Glenne Headly). After arriving in Canada and getting settled, Ganesh watches the fireplace and is reminded of his father’s cremation back in India.
Ganesh explores his aunt’s large home and finds pictures and artifacts of a family he never knew. After mistakenly putting an electric kettle on the stove, Charlotte takes him into to town to buy him some warm clothes. After finding some, but not the most stylish, Ganesh is enrolled in school where even the teacher makes fun of his accent and mannerisms.
During P.E., his class is timed to see how long they can hold their breath underwater. Here is when we find the scene from the poster and VHS cover with Ganesh (also called Jeffrey) holding his breath for over three minutes before the teacher dives in to “rescue” him. We learn that Ganesh has learned controlled breathing and Yoga while in India, and slows down his breathing by meditating.
Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, who happens to be a former best friend of Ganesh’s father, is involved in a project to create the Grand Valley Resort. Everything is set except one small piece of land – Parcel 225 – Charlotte’s land.
Time passes and Ganesh is still being picked on in school but is befriended by another boy Tom, whom Ganesh teaches some Yoga to. Charlotte goes away for a couple of days to find Ganesh has put up all the old photos he found in the attic. Charlotte is amazed at the family history before her, and tells Ganesh of the plans to sell the house, which she is suddenly very reluctant to do.
When mobster/developer Joey (Paul Anka) decides to take the house by force, Ganesh decides to follow his father’s example at peacefully protesting by meditating on the front porch. Charlotte joins him, as does a little neighbor girl. As time ticks down, bulldozers and backhoes arrive but are stopped by the growing gathering of children on the porch. Not wanting to give up, Joey jumps in the driver’s seat of a backhoe and starts towards the protestors with an outcome all too predictable.
Until Ordinary Magic, Reynolds’s only other credits were a Canadian teen sitcom called Fifteen. Headly had a few more roles under her belt in Fandango, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the TV Mini-Series Lonesome Dove. The duo of Reynolds and Headly carry the movie well as it goes along at a good pace. The introduction of stereotypical gangster Paul Anka (yes, he also sings in the movie) was an interesting casting choice and almost takes away from the otherwise true character portrayals in the film.
The cinematography and switching from India to Canada were believable and well done. The streets of India (according to IMDB several scenes were filmed in Sri Lanka) were convincing and even though we only saw him in flashbacks, Ganesh’s father (David Fox) gave a convincing performance as a loving dad caring for his son in a foreign country.
And Reynolds? Well, it was his first film role and he did a good job at carrying it, especially for a young performer. If the film were made today, he would probably be critiqued for his broken Indian accent, but in the context of this one film, it was believable. While it is a typical family film with a telegraphed ending, it should hold the attention of both kids and adults for a family night movie they can all watch together.
You can find Ordinary Magic streaming for free on Tubi.tv or for rental on Amazon Prime.
The film opens with a scene of a 15-year-old boy, Ganesh (Ryan Reynolds) digging up a small tin containing money and photos. We quickly learn our story takes place first, and through flashbacks, in India before Ganesh travels to a Canadian winter to stay with his aunt, Charlotte (Glenne Headly). After arriving in Canada and getting settled, Ganesh watches the fireplace and is reminded of his father’s cremation back in India.
The celebration features various cultural performances and activities. Traditional dances are performed by men, women, and children, accompanied by rhythmic drumming and melodious songs. These dances honor the natural elements and reflect the traditions and beliefs of the indigenous people. Food also plays a significant role in the Pagna Equinox Celebration. The villagers prepare a wide variety of traditional dishes using locally sourced ingredients. These include roasted meats, freshly harvested vegetables, and flavorful spices. Sharing meals with family and friends is an essential part of the festival, as it symbolizes unity and gratitude. During the Pagna Equinox Celebration, the villagers also take part in spiritual rituals and ceremonies. These rituals are performed to express gratitude to the natural elements, such as the sun, earth, and water, for their sustenance and blessings. The indigenous people believe that this gratitude strengthens their bond with nature and ensures a prosperous future. In addition to these traditional activities, the Pagna Equinox Celebration also includes games, competitions, and crafts. Villagers engage in friendly competitions, such as races, archery, and traditional board games. Craftsmen showcase their skills and sell their handmade crafts, which often depict scenes from nature and indigenous folklore. The Pagna Equinox Celebration is not only a time of joy and merriment but also a chance for the villagers to reconnect with their roots and culture. It is a symbol of their resilience, unity, and commitment to preserving their traditional way of life. This celebration serves as an important reminder of the significance of nature and the need to live in harmony with it..
Reviews for "Pagna Equinox: Embracing Change and Transformation"
1. Alice - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to the Pagna Equinox Celebration, but I left feeling disappointed. The event seemed disorganized and lacked the festive atmosphere I had expected. The activities were limited and poorly executed, and the food options were underwhelming. I expected a vibrant celebration, but it felt lackluster and not worth the high price of admission.
2. John - 1 star - The Pagna Equinox Celebration was a complete letdown for me. The event had been hyped up so much, but it did not live up to expectations. The entertainment provided was subpar, and the venue was overcrowded, making it difficult to enjoy any of the activities. Additionally, the event staff seemed overwhelmed and unprepared, resulting in long wait times for everything. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had heard so many good things about the Pagna Equinox Celebration, but it fell short of my expectations. The event lacked variety in terms of the activities and entertainment options. The live performances were mediocre at best and left me feeling unimpressed. The food and drink options were also limited, and I found them to be overpriced for what they offered. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had spent my money elsewhere.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I attended the Pagna Equinox Celebration with high hopes, but unfortunately, it did not live up to the hype. The event lacked organization, with long lines and confusion about which activities were included in the ticket price. The ambiance was also lacking, with a lack of decorations and overall festive atmosphere. The event seemed rushed and poorly planned, leaving much to be desired. I was expecting a memorable experience, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.