# Ghost World (and the Bollywood dance & Terry Zwigoff) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 10, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258 "2011-08-10T21:55:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/1 "2011-08-10T21:55:59Z")
I like Terry Zwigoff’s movie [Ghost World](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162346/) and it was recently the 10th anniversary of its release. Starring Thora Birch & Steve Buscemi as Enid and Seymour, plus Scarlett Johansson (how many people remember that she was Enid’s friend?), Illeana Douglas & Bob Balaban. I’m sure I’d get a lot more out of it if I were a comic book person, because there are so many [insider references](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162346/trivia), but I still think it’s interesting, fun but also sad. Of course I want to slap Enid silly through much of the movie. The girls are both alien to me. I empathize with Seymour, not completely, but more. He certainly had his faults but he was a real person, not a phony, snarky hipster wanna-be. I know a lot of people don’t like this movie because the characters are often irritating, mean and clueless. That’s kinda the point there, but if you’re going to bitch, please don’t get too nasty. It’s still funny and surprising to me that it was nominated for an Adapted Screenplay Oscar. It’s hard to believe that this little quirky movie was pitted against the mighty **The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring**. They both lost to **A Beautiful Mind** , which shows you how brain-damaged a lot of folks in AMPAS are. Even though I like it, Ghost World isn’t my favorite movie by [Terry Zwigoff](http://www.avclub.com/articles/terry-zwigoff,43976/) (that link is to an interesting article/interview in AV Club). In fact it’s next to last. The first 3 keep changing places, but my ranking right now would be: **Crumb** (1994) **Bad Santa** (2003) **Louie Bluie** (1985) **Ghost World** (2001) **Art School Confidential** (2006) We saw **[Louie Bluie](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089507/)**, a delightful documentary about the musician Howard Armstrong, in the theater when it was released thanks to a Siskel & Ebert review. We loved it and saw Armstrong a few times in concert. We had to wait 9 years until Zwigoff’s next film, the stunning documentary **[Crumb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109508/)**. And what can I say about **[Bad Santa](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307987/)**? It’s a perfect film. I never got into \*\*[Art School Confidentia](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0364955/)\*\*l. I thought maybe I’d have to see it again, but I never have. IMDB lists his next movie as something called Happy Days, but that [article/interview](http://www.avclub.com/articles/terry-zwigoff,43976/) (from last year) says it fell through. He says he’s working on a couple of projects but he doesn’t want to talk about them. This thread is a good excuse to post this fun thing: [“Jaan Pehechaan Ho”](http://bit.ly/l9aV0f) (the crazy Bollywood movie scene Enid dances to at the beginning of Ghost World) To change the subject a bit toward Gumnaam, that Bollywood movie, here’s an interesting thing someone said about it on IMDB: > [@](#): > > Its funny how almost every Indian movie has to include musical numbers in it no matter what the genre. This movie ‘Gumnaam’ is a take on Agatha Christie’s famous thriller novel ‘Ten Little Indians’(also known as ‘And Then There Were None’) about a group of strangers getting stranded on a deserted island with a spooky mansion and then being brutally murdered one by one. The movie is from the 70s’ and is pretty entertaining and eerie adding a ‘ghost woman’ to the mix. Its Bollywood meets Scooby-Doo meets Agatha Christie at her finest. Lol. The songs are pretty melodious and the characters are very memorable. You guys should check it out. Try to get your hands on a sub-titled copy. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/2 "2011-08-10T22:05:54Z")
Love _Ghost World_; one of the first I ever bought on DVD. I totally identify with Seymour–especially the record collecting scene (though he would be appalled by my own collection), his agony at sitting through the bogus blues band, and “Have a few more kids, why doncha?” 😃 Since of course I have no idea what the real words to “Jaan Pehechaan Ho” are, and couldn’t pronounce them if I did, I have my own lyrics: _Kam Fong as Chin Ho! Zulu as Kono! Book 'em, book 'em, Danno! On Hawaii Five-0!_ ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/3 "2011-08-10T22:36:28Z")
**Ghost World** I like the little in joke where Enid holds up _The Cheap Suits Serenaders_ second album, asks Seymour if it’s good, and he’s says “No.” Funny because a) The CSS records are in fact terrific but kind of a cult thing, and b) Besides R. Crumb, the incredible Bob Brozman, and others, the cellist for the CSS is non other than Terry Zwigoff. **Louie Bluie** A wonderful little movie. DVD with extras strongly recommended. A couple of LB’s albums can be found online, and are worth the searching. **Jaan Pehechaan Ho** I LOVE this music and video! As silly and bizarre as it is, I dance like Enid whenever I hear it. You have to love a band with greasy pompadours and teensy black masks. Ever notice how the predominant riff is played on electric guitar, but NO ONE in the onscreen band is playing one? And without any further ado, **the lyrics** , with rough translations in italics. Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, _Let’s get to know each other It will make life easier_ Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churavo, Naam Tho Batavo… _Oh you heart-stealer Don’t shy away Tell me your name_ Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churavo, Naam Tho Batavo… Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Aaj Ki Yeh Shaam Javan, Yun Na Chali Jaaye, Aaj Ki Yeh Shaam Javan, Yun Na Chali Jaaye, _The evening is young Don’t let it go to waste_ Phir Se Na Aayegi Yeh Kisi Ke Bulaaye Phir Se Na Aayegi Yeh Kisi Ke Bulaaye Phir Se Na Aayegi Yeh Kisi Ke Bulaaye \*We can’t bring it back again \* Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churavo, Naam Tho Batavo… Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Bolo Yeh Na Bolo Tum, Hogaye Ishaare, Bolo Yeh Na Bolo Tum, Hogaye Ishaare, _Whether or not you admit it Hints have been dropped_ Sidi Sidi Chot Huve Dil Pe Hamaare Sidi Sidi Chot Huve Dil Pe Hamaare Sidi Sidi Chot Huve Dil Pe Hamaare \*Pain went straight to my heart \* Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churavo, Naam Tho Batavo… Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Chup Chup Dekha Dekhi, Nazaren Diwani, Chup Chup Dekha Dekhi, Nazaren Diwani, _Silent, seeing, and seen Eyes are merry_ Zara Si Yeh Baat Ban Jaaye Na Kahani Zara Si Yeh Baat Ban Jaaye Na Kahani Zara Si Yeh Baat Ban Jaaye Na Kahani _Hope this issue doesn’t become a story_ Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho, Dil Ko Churane Walon, Aankh Na Churavo, Naam Tho Batavo… Jaan Pehechan Ho, Jeena Aasaan Ho . ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/4 "2011-08-10T22:45:01Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > b) Besides R. Crumb, the incredible Bob Brozman, and others, the cellist for the CSS is non other than Terry Zwigoff. Me talk pretty one day. The quoted text is _supposed_ to convey that Terry Zwigoff (on cello) was/is one of the Cheap Suits along with Crumb, Brozman, and others. . ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/5 "2011-08-10T23:26:30Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > **Jaan Pehechaan Ho** > > I LOVE this music and video! By the talented [Muhammed Rafi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Rafi) ( who as you can see looks nothing like the actor “singing” in that scene 😃 ). Also famously name-checked in the radio hit by [Cornershop](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brimful_of_Asha), which is where I first encountered him ( I was curious and looked up the various name-checked figures ). ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/6 "2011-08-10T23:51:31Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > By the talented [Muhammed Rafi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohammed_Rafi) ( who as you can see looks nothing like the actor “singing” in that scene 😃 ). Wow! Thank you for that link. I had no idea. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/7 "2011-08-10T23:59:25Z")
Missed the edit window. Your link also led me to another one about Jaan Pehechaan Ho, with better English translations than I had. I thinks I gots to go put on my little black mask, turn up the volume, and shake my booty. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/8 "2011-08-11T19:59:40Z")
I thought of this movie just this past weekend, It took me three tries to convince the girl working the concession stand at the movie theater that i only wanted a small popcorn, despite the incredible value of the larger popcorn… ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ghost-world-and-the-bollywood-dance-terry-zwigoff/592258/9 "2011-08-16T19:03:49Z")
I’m not a big Bollywood fan, but I was sufficiently impressed to download “Jaan Pehechan Ho” after watching the movie. It was really fun and lively.