The film exhibits efficient use of the same, limited space to convey emotions defined by thrill, horror and violence. The scene presented to us is of an interrogation. A senior forest official investigates a case where the main culprit, Raja, a bandit leader, was apprehended three months ago. Soon after the arrest and taking Raja and his men into custody, however, some terrible developments came to be. It is simply by way of the conversation that follows between the two men that a sense of deep unease is created within the viewer, suggesting that a force more sinister than what you may have realized at first glance, plagues the world of the film. The interrogation moves forth, as shadows continue to darken, threatening to overwhelm the characters before us. When the final revelation arrives, they have reached a point from where there is no turning back. It would be interesting to see subsequent parts of the story, or a longer project based on the same premise that would allow it to develop to its full potential.

Ondhu Kaadina Madhyadholage | Short Film of the Day

Solitude adopts an experimental approach to delve deep into the concept of isolation and emptiness. The film uses overbearing visuals and sounds to represent the state of mind of its protagonist. Amongst the vast and overpowering nature, he appears minuscule, trivial even, allowing the scene to resonate with the solitude he experiences. 
Far in the barren lands where silence prevails and heavy winds blow, the protagonist sits and contemplates on his newly painted, steel chair. Metaphors are employed within this plane of abstraction to present forth an engagement with the ideas of loneliness. Additionally, due to the title of the film, the premise is taken a step further and is tied with the romanticizing of loneliness as solitude. However, where does one end and the other begin? Is one desirable while the other meant only for rejection? The narrative invokes all of these questions for the viewer to ponder upon.

Solitude | Short Film Nominee

The entire film comes to revolve around the idea of a single, important moment. At the starting of the film, the viewer is given the impression that the moment would perhaps be one of romance, of a birthday gift that a lover gives his beloved. However, as everything changes amidst the coronavirus lockdown, the viewer is in for an unexpected twist about the reality of this particular moment.

Oru Kanam | Lockdown Film Challenge

Right from its opening, the narrative wants to weave an atmosphere of distress. We are first introduced to only a voice that is asking someone to somehow behave themselves for an hour. What exactly is the meaning of this order? We are not told right away. The rest of the plot thus becomes an attempt to decode this clandestine message. A boy is alone at home when a girl arrives. This guest is unsuspecting of whatever lies in store for her in the house. Will the protagonist then be able to follow the instructions of the person who had told him to keep himself far from anything untoward until the former's arrival?

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