Employing poetry as an indispensable pillar of its narrative, the film engages with the disturbing issue of abusive relationships. As a poet performs her lines, the words are interweaved with the account of a real life emotional and domestic abuse survivor - a woman who had followed a man into a love marriage only to realise the folly of it all. Speak Up uses poetry and the story of its other protagonist that is developing efficiently to raise important questions about women's location in society, in particular, and the struggles of anyone who might find themselves trapped in a toxic, dysfunctional relationship, in general. However, despite the powerful stories it brings to the fore, along with notable visual skill, the conclusion of the film deprives the viewer of a gradual and organic closure.

Speak Up | Short Film Nominee

The film endeavours to be a relevant comment on systemic misogyny, internalised patriarchy and the consequent, deep infestation of rape culture in the country. It would be erroneous to expect a nuanced, subtle commentary here, instead the narrative is meant as a simple, direct conversation with the viewer. Sincere and honest in its attempt to talk of a cruel, barbaric reality where the most heinous sexual assaults have become commonplace, Express Yourself does its bit to add to the conversation on gender. The idea and its execution is further supplemented by Sonu Nigam's powerful voice, along with interviews with two activists on the front lines of the battle against patriarchy and sexism, allowing the documentary to put forth its views in a notable manner.

Express Yourself | Sonu Nigam | Short Film Nominee

“Creating a culture of fear around freedom of expression creates a culture of intolerance. Creating a
culture of intolerance grows violence,” says singer, model Monica Dogra as she opens the video. Her
comment is clearly a scathing critique of our cultural climate that has witnessed increasing polarisation in the
last few years. Through the cases of
censorship and assaults on artists in the past, the film tries to elucidate this point. However, the narrative would have benefited from a little more nuance and focus on its subject matter, allowing it to be a deeper, more incisive and inclusive commentary on the same.

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