The film, based on a short story of the same name by Anton Chekov, opens with a fairly unusual request - a man asking a woman to take off her shirt and come to him. Though at first glance the dialog and action might seem of a sexual nature, the idea is fully subverted as we are introduced to clinical movements of eyes and fingers that are more interested in the anatomical aspects of the female body. The same action becomes an accurate introduction to Abhay and Anyuta’s little world of this one-room house, as well as their relationship.
An intrinsic quietness defines the film, and the spatial realities it conjures. The namesake character remains a mute observer, at best only accepting the instructions handed out to her by the indifferent Abhay. There is also something to be said about the damaging patterns that we are doomed to repeat no matter how harmful they may be. As the two characters live out their relationship, the narrative endeavors an atmospheric, immersive space for the viewer in its world, portraying all of this with thoughtfulness.
Read LessAn intrinsic quietness defines the film, and the spatial realities it conjures. The namesake character remains a mute observer, at best only accepting the instructions handed out to her by the indifferent Abhay. There is also something to be said about the damaging patterns that we are doomed to repeat no matter how harmful they may be. As the two characters live out their relationship, the narrative endeavors an atmospheric, immersive space for the viewer in its world, portraying all of this with thoughtfulness.
