‘Tholumadan’ are monsters that take human form and kill anyone who recognises their true identity. The film, set in the early 1960s, introduces the viewer to this truth of its realm right at the start, immediately establishing the tone of what is to come. We explore this world through the eyes of Appu, a little boy who impatiently awaits the return of his father from the Indo-China War. 

In the face of news of all kinds of tragedies, and against all hope, Appu’s father returns, but the war has left him completely changed. Through engagement with the trauma that he still carries in his heart, taking the form of all kinds of inexplainable situations for the little boy in Appu, we are presented a world of horrifying realizations - a different kind of horror for adults, one of wars and PTSD, and of completely different kinds for a child, of monsters that only masquerade as humans, but perform strange acts in the darkness of the night. The film explores all of this with skill and very controlled dialogue, the gaps filled with a thoughtful and expert background score. The action unfolding on screen also keeps the viewer engaged, finally presenting a story that employs trauma as horror.

Tholumadan | Short Film of the Month

'Ooru' is a story of one’s roots that are deeply entrenched within the land they belong to, whether or not they realize it. A man returns to his village from the city to visit his father, only to find a terrible development awaiting him - his unexpected demise. 

Though the music video may have opened with the protagonist's affinity for the city life, things take a sudden turn now that he finds his father’s land under threat. Through the song and music that is invoked, the film presents an impactful narrative of one’s legacy and deep ties with their origins. Equally strong visuals of the outdoors support the endeavor further, leaving no stone unturned in communicating the thematic concerns of the end result.

Ooru | Short Film Nominee

In its short duration, the film packs several complex emotions, as well as a whole rollercoaster of events. What begins as a quest of finding a lost pet, takes the viewer down, and the protagonist, several unexpected, unknown paths. The journey finally concludes with a shattering realisation of our own failings as a society. Within the folds of the plot also rest important questions about intimacy, affection for our loved ones, the role pets play in familial spaces and finally, animals often leading humans, in all their innocence, to a place where a mirror is held to their negligence and betrayal. Hachiko is replete with all of these aspects of a notable story, and brings in fitting visuals (which could have perhaps benefited from a little stability despite the intended, deliberate candour of hand-held shots) to complete the narrative in an effective manner.

Richy Ks

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