The film’s story is a heartfelt engagement with dreams, and what they mean for its different characters. Located amidst the very real struggles of survival and somehow making ends meet is our little protagonist. Pintu dreams of a world where he does not have to go to school to an indifferent, lazy, and cruel teacher. He also dreams of fancy sneakers and a future away from the brick kiln where his father works. His aspirations are not simply confined to that but further include the desire for a life like Muniya’s, a peer who does not go to school and instead helps her mother with domestic chores. Muniya, on the other hand, covets a world where children like her go to school. 
Pintu’s parents try to hold on to their jobs or seek out new ones, in the hope of securing some kind of stability in their lives. The film further interweaves frustration and hope, two sides of the same coin, with all of it, alongside the constant effort that is required to keep life afloat. It presents a glimpse into a harsh, exploitative unfair world where a little boy still dreams of seemingly petty things like branded shoes, and a space away from his callous school. 
There is a slight loosening of control when it comes to visual consistency as the film reaches its conclusion, but one which is easy to overlook in the face of all the other strengths it presents. From a screenplay marked by long, fixed frames, to performances, notable and endearing in equal measure, to its world-building, authentic and meticulous throughout, 'Pintu' incorporates them all, and remains steadfast in the exploration of its thematic concerns explored from the eyes of children and adults alike.

Pintu  | Short Film of the Month

The narrative is a straight mapping of the several stages of existence - right from childhood into old age. In the process, the film wants to deal with all that each stage entails - from the naughtiness of one, to the responsibilities of another, to the eventual slowing down of life. The storytelling strives to be sincere to share its intentions with the audience. In the process, it further reminds them of the inexorable passage of time as well as the cyclicality of life. We may move from one aspect to another, but the universality of life remains the same for every one of us, further asserts the film.

The Journey of Life | Short Film Nominee

The short film is about three family members interacting with each other during quarantine. The fourth character comes in the form of a television news anchor who ties the film with our contemporary reality of the Covid-19 pandemic. Aiming to be a comedic portrayal of the same, the film shows significant want of more time on the edit table.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links