Set in the near future, a dystopia where complete totalitarianism and misogyny rule over the state, the short film revolves around the courage and strength of one woman. The protagonist is an acclaimed Bharatnatyam dancer who is forcibly removed from her family. Her memories are erased and she is thrown in a hellish jail, the Cell. For her, like many other inhabitants of the Cell, the crime was being more independent and successful than her male counterpart. 
Soon, the protagonist starts to remember glimpses of her past - a disapproving husband, arguments with her daughter, but more importantly her art, her dance. The narrative does a notable job of communicating all of these emotions, and tying them with the most effortless and skilled dance sequence. The intense performance, with graceful yet hard-hitting movements, thus becomes an expression of revolt against oppression and patriarchy. As the protagonist conjures a fluidity and litheness of the body on screen, the message is allowed a fitting portrayal for the viewer to engage with.

Colors: Saffron | Short Film of the Day

The film is complete with music, dance, action, a sprinkle of fantasy, and philosophical rumination that arises from the presence of divinity among humans. Needless to say, Savitha Sashtri brings to life powerful performances in this dance film. The story is about rebirth or a second life which has led a being to step away from the nirvana she had already attained, and help a cursed village. The plot maps her eventual downfall at the hands of distrusting villagers. Though the film stands to gain from a tighter narrative, it remains a labor of love and passion, along with dedication. There is also something to be said about the thought it explores and discusses, lucidly presenting its ideas to the viewer in the process.

Dvija | Short Film Nominee

The story is of a dancer whose fame and glory is now a matter of yesteryears. As she attempts to come to terms with the success of her successor, she struggles to reconcile her present with her past. The protagonist uses Bharatnatyam to convey her angst, anger, sadness and pain to the viewer and provides a moving performance in the wilderness of a forest. The visuals are marked by aerial shots and smooth transitions in tune with the tune of the performance. The film also attempts a comment on the state of mental health in India.

The Descent | Short Film Nominee

Sravaka is an extremely successful dancer who is in want of nothing. Fame, success, and recognition lie at her feet, and yet, something disturbs her deeply. 

Unable to sleep or eat, she finds herself taking refuge in pills and constantly rushing back to her past. Her frequent visits to her guru ji, one whose existence is marked by poverty and isolation, push forth the narrative as it engages with philosophical questions regarding an artist’s relationship with their art, the fear of anonymity, the eternal quest for immortality, and what it means to achieve worldly success, even if at the cost of being dishonest as an artist. These ideas are portrayed with a close-knit union with dance sequences, crafted, choreographed, and performed most seamlessly and gracefully. 

There is further an earnest desire to explore the darker realm of success, especially for a dancer who is not only of a different nationality than her art form but has also seen turbulence in her former life. While a few raw edges appear in terms of the screenplay and the visual representation of some of the exchanges between the characters, the film’s core remains devoted throughout in its effort to seek meaning in existence and success vis-a-vis art.

Slow Rivers | Short Film Nominee

First part of a trilogy, each representing a colour of the Indian flag, Green takes us into the life of a middle-aged housewife. As she fills her days, years and her entire life all along with duties and tasks that are expected of her, time passes by in a blur, leaving her with a sense of deep unhappiness. The only escape possible is in her dreams where she carries out the most remarkable and breathtaking dance performances in the wilderness, far from the several societal constructs that keep her away from her creative side during her waking hours. While the film is marked by notable visuals, the strongest aspect that undoubtedly takes away the cake is the performance by Savitha Sastry who is fluid in her movements, elegant in their execution and divine in the manner in which she ties it all together. Along with this, the film also invokes a relevant comment about the location of women in society, the familial space, as well as the manner in which it comes to affect their mental health.

Colors: Green | Short Film Nominee

'Beyond the Rains' is a film with dance at its heart, and unrequited love as the thread that weaves its several components together. A young journalist arrives at the doorstep of a former Bharatnatyam dancer for an interview. 

Confined to a wheelchair now, Nitya has a distant look in her eyes, coupled with a laconic demeanour. As the conversation develops, we find ourselves making our way into a story of romance, love, loss and heartbreak. In the process, the narrative also attempts to converse with the many complications of love and what it means to wait or suffer when the love is left unfulfilled. 

The dance sequences remain the most notable aspect of the film. Despite a few rough edges in the handling of its sound, the film exists as a sincere and passionate endeavor in sharing its story.

Beyond the Rains | Short Film Nominee

The film is the story of a woman who has deprioritized her dreams for a life of duties and responsibilities. It is interesting to see a narrative talk of a character’s passions and hopes that are not simply confined to her family, despite the love and affection she has for them. The protagonist, Kavitha, is portrayed as a person of her own even in the face of all her responsibilities. 

As all Savitha Sastry films, the highlight of this one too remains the dance sequences which truly ensure you are unable to take your eyes off the screen. However, it does take flight from the films so far in the manner in which it touches upon a Western dance form, even if briefly. The story also endeavors to conjure lighthearted humor, along with drama and a sweet portrayal of the support of a loving family. While the writing and the narratorial progression could have been smoother, the film remains sincere and honest in everything that it offers.

AK Srikanth

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