Based on a short story by Ruskin Bond, The Black Cat by Bhargav Saikia portrays an interesting turn of events starting from a day in Bond's life. Played by Tom Alter, Bond comes in possession of a broomstick which is soon accompanied by a black cat turning up at his doorstep. His misadventures with the kitty keep the audience involved, while also invoking a sense of sympathy for the harried writer. Soon after a Ms. Bellows follows, claiming the cat to be hers, and our protagonist is more than grateful to hand over the kitty to his unusual guest. The narrative offers interesting characters in the form of both Alter as Bond and Shernaz Patel as Ms. Bellows. The beautiful camera angles lend an otherworldly quality to the film, equally supported by an eerie soundtrack. Along with Anglican influences in the form of costumes, language and the general lifestyle, The Black Cat also possesses an element of the supernatural, characteristic of much of Bond's writing. This is achieved by elegant special effects which, when coupled with a seamless edit and sophisticated visuals, make the film a thrilling watch.

The Black Cat | Tom Alter | Short Film of the Day

The story is of an Arjun and an Indra, of magical stones and a disappeared boy. Add to it Radhika Apte in one of her most alluring avatars as a convincing coquette, and the short film is bound to catch your attention. The setting is the house of an artist somewhere in West Bengal. One afternoon a police officer visits him regarding the disappearance of a boy called Arjun who was last known to have met him. The mystery of the missing boy which is introduced to the viewer is taut with the sexual tension between the police officer and the young wife of his ageing host. The plot is the overarching force that drives this film, a modern day take on the myth of Ahalya in which the power structures have been reversed. Further, the narrative is weaved most seamlessly by skilled performances of its three actors.

Ahalya | Short Film of the Day

The realm of the film is defined entirely by symbolism and metaphors to present the internal struggles of the protagonist. As he sits by himself fixing a clock, perhaps he is attempting to fix, understand, and even dispel the many mysteries of time itself. His tinkering with the object, and all that it can potentially stand for soon takes us into a world of vast expanses of nature, abound by mystical and magical creatures and occurrences. Three characters in hooded capes, the myriad elements of nature, all thrive here. As the protagonist traverses a journey from darkness to light, can these elements lead him to wings, wisdom, and a soaring flight? A strong voiceover and performances, written and executed with care, and interwoven with competent visuals, share the film's world with the viewer. The obscure explorations constitute the young man’s journey, eventually presenting the answer to this question.

Exodus | Short Film of the Day

The film constructs itself like a parable, eventually presenting the viewer with an important message that the protagonist is quick to miss. Keeping itself free of any verbal exchanges, the narrative relies entirely on visual drama and action to paint this reality for the viewer. 
The visual landscape is utilized judiciously to present the protagonist’s tryst with a magical flute. When played, it showers him with money. However, the moment he is too consumed by the greed of grasping the notes, he also loses the gift he had been presented with, forgetting what truly mattered in his lust for money. The end result remains defined by brevity, clarity of its screenplay, and visual progression.

The Taste of Destiny | Short Film Nominee

One night, a visibly distraught boy stumbles into a strange cafe where he is the only customer. He is met by a jovial man who offers him a menu that has no prices. The dishes are to be paid by his karma. What does the boy deserve, will he get what he desires or what the cosmos decides for him? The short film is his journey that involves moving from one kind of soup to another and how it ties up with his deepest secrets. The script, language, performances and the manner in which the two actors interact with each other is thespian in nature. Because it's reminiscent of a theatre performance, the short film sets high expectations for the viewer, higher than what it lives up to. While the idea of good karma is conveyed to be a cathartic exercise, instead of getting the message across to the viewer, it ends up feeling like a therapy session for the protagonist.

Karma Cafe | Short Film of the Day

An astronaut has found herself stranded in a remote part of the universe, far away from home. The year is 2160, and she is all by herself except for a strange presence - a solitary red rose. The image of a lone figure with only a rose as its companion immediately draws to mind the image of an iconic little boy who too had found companionship in a flower on an empty planet. The image in the viewer’s mind is further strengthened the moment we hear the astronaut’s title, the Little Prince. 
The film that subsequently comes into existence is quiet, mellow, and characterized by an intensity of emotion that is both sincere and honest. The result exhibits potential and perhaps could also be developed into a longer project exploring the many (mis?)adventures of this particular Little Prince.

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