‘Spin’ is remarkable in the absurdity it brings to life. Three men, one night and their own sense of emptiness and unhappiness reflected in their faces constitute this world. A man returns from work, exhausted and spent, and sits down with his two flatmates for a strange game they seem to have developed themselves. Is it coping? Is it something to kill time or forget about the futility of existence? Who even knows or cares, suggests the narrative as the characters before us start slapping each other, all along sticking to the rules of the game. 

The film makes efficient use of its resources, be it of space or other tools often required to tell an engaging story. Despite the humor inherent to a situation as ridiculous as the one developing before us, a sense of darkness follows too, ensuring you remain involved in the fates of the three men right till the very end.

Spin | Short Film of the Day

‘Nutmeg’ is a riot of colors, and a deliberate and entertaining disarray. A group of boys move about the limited physical space of this bottle episode-esque set-up. A boy is very disappointed at not making it to the football team. The spectators to his sorrow include lackeys, stoners, uninterested lurkers, and of course, the viewer. The narrative does a commendable job of maintaining consistency of approach, and roping in a sense of absurdism, while exhibiting deep potential in storytelling. It further evidences innovative use of surroundings and aesthetics to share its intentions with you, leaving one with the promise of more storytelling on similar lines.

Nutmeg | Short Film Nominee

At the heart of ‘Machraja’ lies a constant battle that is being waged between the carnal, worldly desires, and the spiritual realm of discipline and control. The protagonist, stuck in the center of this, is being aggressively pulled in opposite directions that is leading to a dangerously high level of cosmic radiation over Mumbai. It is the link that connects these two seemingly unconnected occurrences upon which the narrative pivots. 

The writing is marked by a sense of the absurd, along with an experimental approach, both of which make the film an entertaining watch. Because it does not take itself too seriously, the tonality remains unencumbered and instead, becomes light and humorous. The performances embellish the film further, ensuring that on the whole the final result achieves freshness in its storytelling and narratorial progression.

Machraja | Short Film Nominee

The film ties together several disparate elements, and does so in a smooth manner. The story is marked by violence, corrupt politicians, paid assassins, an upright journalist and his steadfast refusal to cow down before the forces of corruption, and lastly, a slice of a pizza that comes to lie at the heart of it all. 

After working for three years towards revealing the dubious activities of a powerful politician, a journalist has finally put his own life at stake in the pursuit of presenting the truth to the world. However, amidst this grand, selfless act, rests a sweetly petty desire, the desire to enjoy a slice of his favorite pizza before bidding goodbye to the world. 

As the partaking of the pizza overlaps with the arrival of the protagonist's killer, things spiral completely out of control. The ensuing chaos offers the film’s core motivations, as well as the climax that finally segues into a balanced conclusion.

For a Slice of Pizza | Short Film of the Day

A narrative minus much verbal exchange, offering an interesting approach to the visual progression, and lastly, the presence of humor in the most unexpected, unlikely manner - these three components constitute ‘Bhor’. It invites you into its world quietly, taking its time revealing a man who is setting up a tea-stall early in the morning. He is soon joined by another, perhaps a regular, who sits before him, enjoying his morning tea. 

Consequently, when the story suddenly alters course to present an event far from what you may have expected so far, it is safe to assume that the viewer is hooked. The unannounced entry of two more characters, completely in contrast with the world conjured so far, turns the narrative on its head, and deliberately so. Though a few errant shots remain scattered in the film, it remains entertaining, and refreshing in its tonality and the sense of the absurd it presents to you.

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