Society forces individuals, especially women, into fixed moulds of what it considers to be the normative. The consequent pressure often leads many to a constant, internal struggle of who they want to be and who they are expected to be. This chaos adversely affects every aspect of their personality - from their dreams and hopes to day-to-day life. The short film endeavours an engagement with all of these issues by employing the story of its protagonist - a woman who finds herself completely isolated from everything she truly desires or cares for. It is further an attempt to bring to life an instance of psychological fracture when one's lived reality becomes unbearable to the point of being extremely oppressive. This is conveyed on screen by means of narration, put together with the woman's life as she moves from one task to another, smoking cigarette after cigarette. However, amidst the struggle and the constant battle with herself as well as those around her, will she ever be allowed a space to be who she truly is?

Umika | Short Film Nominee

The film opens with an accident, a hospital scene and the deep sorrow of a man as he awaits the final word on a beloved's fate. The story then moves back and forth in time to tie visuals of the distressed man with happier days of a romance. It takes us into a relationship marked by playfulness, affection and the desire to be with each other. Soon the courtship takes the form of marriage, and this is when things begin to go downhill for the couple. If earlier they did not have money to spend on one another, they had time and love to share instead. However now the equations have reversed. The film wants to draw the same comparison to drive home the message about valuing and paying attention to your partner, and to never neglect them or their needs.

Lobongo Latika | Short Film Nominee

One day a woman receives a call from a stranger who badgers her for friendship between them. This instance continues and results in a string of calls in the same unexpected manner for her. Annoyed and put off by them at first, she eventually succumbs to the stranger's attempts. Soon an equation of intimacy develops between them, even though they have never met. Simultaneously, there is another parallel narrative which involves a suspicious looking man on the neighbouring roof that keeps staring at the protagonist, making her feel uncomfortable. With an educational message at its core, the film explores both of these stories, eventually finding a way to connect them.

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