Three men escape a scene of theft, with the cops hot on their trail. However, they soon overcome the circumstance and move forth to the next stage of their job. A world of crime and action is conjured for the viewer, as we get introduced to Akhand, Billi and Charlie. Along with the grunginess that the narrative endeavors to invoke, we are also presented with a story of betrayal, doublecrossing and violence. 
Loyalties are tested in this universe as greed and survival become intertwined. Though the film could gain from a tighter control on its visuals, and therefore, the overall production value, it leaves the viewer with storytelling and narrative building that exhibit deep potential.

Chir | Short Film Nominee

Right at the opening of the film, Hanif, a contract killer, betrays his partner Tyagi, and pays a hefty price for it. His brutal murder at the hands of the protagonist also establishes betrayal as an important thematic concern of the plot. The rest of the narrative develops to include violence, a horrifying twist of events, and the suggestion of more than one life being lost in the tumult of it all. The protagonist is a police officer who is late for his anniversary celebration. However, calls from his wife only enrage him, revealing the anger simmering within the character. The portrayal of the police officer is achieved with skill which, in turn, strengthens the film. The screenplay is structured to invoke horror, thrill, and a sense of suspense within the viewer as it develops. Exhibiting a want of tighter control on its edit and sound mixing, the end result still presents an earnest effort to conjure a narrative marked by the darkest secrets, and a grotesque subversion of a celebratory occasion like an anniversary.

Happy Anniversary | Short Film Nominee

The title of the film establishes a sense of cyclicality and the inability to break out of it as its primary theme. The preoccupation is then explored by the actions of the characters, each in a fix of their own. It begins with a man stranded in the middle of a desolate highway which is infamous for robberies. He soon manages to hitch a ride, but is his helper truly a good Samaritan? The film offers all its intentions in the revelations pertaining to the true identity of its many characters. The twists stand to gain a little from nuance, but on the other hand, offer lucidity in terms of the message the film has set out to share.

180: The Loop | Short Film Nominee

The film presents to us a single conversation within which several crucial elements are invoked. A friendship that has lasted twenty-four years, international security matters and secrets, and the confession about a person’s identity to his friend, all of them are brought to life within it. As matters come to a head, there is the endeavor to finally offer a moment of high tension as the film's climax. The final result exhibits potential in weaving a story and plot, one that should definitely be explored further. ‘The Last Conversation’, thus becomes a seminal and important first step in that direction.

The Last Conversation | Short Film Nominee

Betrayal can often lead one to take very extreme measures as this film goes ahead to portray. Almost the entirety of the body of Take is constituted by a monologue in which the protagonist shares her experiences, primarily her relationship with a childhood best friend and a lover. The location of her monologue changes with the mood of the story that she narrates for the viewer until she has reached a point of no return. As the plot achieves its climax, what will be the fate of the woman who has taken the audience along in this narrative of friendship, love, loyalty but also of deception and unfaithfulness?

Take | Short Film Nominee

Our first interaction with the film is marked by a sense of grief, bleakness and a woman sitting by herself in a shadowy room. The rest of the story then becomes a movement to this point by portraying all the events that preceded it. It introduces us to the said woman and her husband. They discuss the financial trouble their son is in due to the pandemic, and decide to help him out. 

After selling their house and whatever little jewellery they had collected throughout their lives, they head out to be with him. It is at this point that we are taken into Shrawan's life which is far from what his parents or the viewer has believed so far. Through high intensity drama and sentimentalism, the narrative shares its intentions with the audience.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links