‘Reduva’ or radio is a story marked by immense visual drama that very adroitly portrays all the thematic preoccupations of the film. Ramphal cherishes a gift from long ago, presented to him on the night of his marriage - a radio. His constant companion now in old age, the gadget remains deeply embedded in his life. 

Alongside this endearing equation, however, is the alcoholism of his unemployed son who only brings trouble home in the form of domestic abuse, drunken brawls, and injuries that become a financial strain on the already struggling family. 

The film ropes it all in with seamless visuals that are sustained with control, ensuring that every emotion is presented to the viewer lucidly. While there may be a sense of hope in the manner Ramphal’s grandson comes to his aid and reveals an unexpected, precocious moment of tenderness, the circumstance with his son continues to deteriorate. The story that is thus presented to the viewer is meaningful and involving, allowing the film to share all its intentions with ease.

Reduva | Short Film of the Month

When a skilled voiceover is coupled with sophisticated, seamless visuals, there is little that can go wrong. The short film is a paradigmatic example of the balance that such a combination brings to the table. Essentially, the story of the film is no more than a romance with a season, but one which is not simply constituted by weather. It is made up of nostalgia, memory, a fondness for the past, and the experience all of it eventually leads to. The narrative is smart with its length, keeping it just right to convey the message in a heartwarming, endearing manner, without either communicating or holding back too much. The plot is a weaving together of lovely metaphors and imagery that further serve the purpose of enhancing its easy, but powerful narration, to allow the viewer a glimpse into perhaps their own childhood memories of a summer spent chasing all sorts of reveries and dreams.

Mere Sheher Ki Garmiyan | Short Film of the Day

Two men, employees of the local hospital, have arrived in a new town for work with their respective day and night shifts. Their living quarters have already been allotted, and they have little say in the matter, even when the strangest occurrences begin. 

The house is dusty with bad wiring and flickering lights. For one of them, who is more inclined towards astrology and a belief in the supernatural, the house seems like the perfect setting for a haunting. Additionally, the quarter has a dark history and a brutal past that includes a woman and her baby. It is in this manner that the decrepit house with its old, forgotten objects, attains a life of its own when nights become plagued with singing in a woman’s voice. 

The background score, screenplay and visual grammar construct an eerie world with seamlessness and skill. At the same time, the writing explores the many forms fear can take, and what it eventually comes to mean for both of our characters. All of these components ensure that the story is realized with impact, and that the end result conveys the film’s core message expertly, and with clarity.

Pallavi Ammal  | Short Film of the Month

The film opens on a seemingly mundane note, suggesting that it’s going to take us into a day in the life of the protagonist. However, as the story progresses, we realize this is anything but an ordinary day. It is the only day of its kind in decades, the plot underlines, while also conjuring a sense of the past alongside an emotional goodbye. All of this comes to pivot on a simple act of a character - the fifty-year-old protagonist making a cup of tea. 

While he may have owned a tea factory for decades, this is the first time he is making himself a cup. The act further marks an important evening. The screenplay is constructed with care, and the poignancy it evokes offers a single heartfelt moment. The film weaves all of it together, alongside a notable performance by its sole performer, to present a creative endeavor that not only exhibits potential and vision in terms of storytelling but also leaves one with the prospect of more such endeavors with a similar approach.

The Tea Factory | Spotlight

Along the banks of the holy Ganga, the historical city of Varanasi acts as the backdrop for the film, Taam. Life of three characters belonging to separate generations, during a trying time of deconstruction of the authentic, cultural city is depicted through the short narrative. 

The oldest in the family, a Brahmin pujari who spent a lifetime practising his religion on the ghats of the river, is now being forced to leave the very alleyways he was born into, the ancestral, mystical walls which hold fond memories of his deceased wife. Amidst the constant movement of the several forces tugging at each other, his son tries to straddle the political and the social aspects of the ensuing developments. 

The protagonist is pained at the loss of the city, but is accepting of the resulting compensation- one which is deemed necessary for the survival of their family. Lastly, the innocent boy, still learning the trade, ends up meeting the cruel realities of the world he exhibits. Allowing all of these elements to play themselves out against the several warring factions of society, the film provides insight into life in Varanasi. The many undercurrents of totalitarianism, caste, religion and abuse are further allowed portrayal within the narrative, enabling it to finally tie them together as a cohesive whole.

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