Dealing with a topic as sensitive as child sexual abuse runs the danger of easily falling into a space of sensationalism, voyeurism or simple unpalatability. It requires a meticulous and delicate treatment in order to drive its point home, to introduce a possibly unsuspecting or unwilling audience to it, to hone their sensibilities and awareness in the most constructive way possible. If a film makes you sit up and pay attention to your actions and of those around you, to perhaps strive for reform, then a product of art can be considered successful in a significant way. That is exactly what Maunn manages to achieve. 

The film opens with a shot in the dimming light of twilight on a terrace, clearly suggesting the passage of imminent darkness. The plot unfolds to reveal that the couple is quarrelling about sexual abuse of their ten-year-old daughter, Shreya at the hands of their neighbour's son, Dev. We make our way into the house, currently under a power-cut, while the couple continues to argue about their course of action regarding Dev. The muted colour palette and the dimly lit frames remain until the absolute moment of clarity is achieved by the viewer as well as Shreya's father when he finds Dev uncomfortably close to his daughter. The moment is further foregrounded by the end of the power-cut. Light floods back into the room, along with the father's undeniable realisation of his daughter's abuse. 

The crux is reached in the narrative in a forceful manner leaving the viewer unsure of what truly hit them. As they reel with the aftermath, the film succeeds in reiterating the message it had set out to convey at the start. However, how will it influence Shreya's parents?

Maunn (Silence) | Eros Now | Anurag Arora

As the title suggests, mirrors and all that they stand for become a crucial metaphor that drives the film forward. It is Roopal’s birthday and she sits before her reflection in a lovely red dress and lipstick before she steps out with her friend for a celebration. However, she is on edge throughout. 

The slightest change in Roopal’s environment makes her deeply uneasy, introducing the viewer to her anxiety and stress simmering right under the surface. For us to truly understand what plagues her, the writing, screenplay, and story notably rope in ideas of the past and how it can continue to haunt and traumatize someone. The protagonist is brought to life by a powerful performance that invokes an unmissable union of vulnerability and strength. 

While Roopal will continue to battle a broken relationship with her mother, as well as the memories of the most horrifying assault that occurred on one of her birthdays when she was a child, albeit not without the support of well-meaning, but sometimes ill-equipped friends, would she find it in her to finally overcome the tumultuous past that she carries within?

Aaine Mein | Short Film Nominee

The film starts at a melancholic note that makes you wonder if this particular narrative will truly stand out, and then, before you realise it, it becomes much darker and deeper than you would have expected at first glance. It should be noted that the performance by young Ruchika Goel is notable in this aspect, as is the visualisation and execution of the plot by Arnav Sharma. The poetic, but disconcerting story comes across as a sincere and dedicated endeavour to talk about a concern gaining more and more relevance in contemporary times - one of child sexual abuse. Through the tragic tale of its protagonist, the film puts forth its engagement with the topic, while also drawing the viewer's attention to this very real issue that leaves countless children extremely vulnerable and exposed to abuse and assault.

The Pain of Freedom | Short Film of the Day

The narrative does a notable job of invoking several elements and thematic concerns - childhood trauma, mental illness, battles with medication, sexual exploitation - and engages with each of them adequately. The story is of Titir, Mithi and Tirtha, childhood friends who were separated from each other by a terribly tragic event. Even though their paths may have crossed again in adulthood, their equation is far from what it used to be. 

Plagued by the many travails of time, both Mithi and Tirtha battle their own personal demons as well. The portrayal of this friendship becomes the preoccupation of the film. The film further utilizes poetry and symbolism to enhance itself, eventually leaving the viewer with a meaningful story of malice, loss, but also friendship, and loyalty.

Sleeping Pills | Short Film Nominee

Employing only a voiceover and two pairs of hands, the short film puts forth its message and all that it intends to convey. It invokes the disturbing, but relevant reality of child sexual abuse, one that mars the very innocence that childhood embodies. All of this is achieved by means of symbols and metaphors. As a little girl, fragile as a butterfly (suggested by the title of the film which translates to butterfly) plays with her crayons, drawing colourful pictures from memory, her hand is forced in a direction that is against her desire. Violence, force and sexual oppression are thus portrayed visually, using the same frames of hands, and the voiceover, reminding the viewer of the ugliness of the world they inhabit.

Poombatta | Short Film of the Day

Noor succeeds in creating an eerie atmosphere right from the very beginning, making the viewer suspect every shadow and sound. The story unfolds to reveal a far darker reality than the surroundings about the life of the young protagonist. While initially the argument may appear threadbare to a trained viewer, the manner in which the drama unfolds would leave even the most prepared of them at the edge of their seats. The performances are strong and convincing which further make the message of the film more emphatic. The narrative is sure to stay with you long after you're done watching the film. Despite all its strengths, the film would have benefitted from a better control on the lighting of its visuals.

Noor | Jaya Bhattacharya | Pick of the Festival Circuit

When the film opens, we see a group of children playing with each other. The endearing image is soon overshadowed by a sense of unease that is introduced into the narrative. The viewer perceives it first before they identify the source of it. A man watches the children from afar, looking a little too intent for the audience's comfort. Unaware of a vile aspect of the adult world unfolding parallel to their carefree game, the children continue to run and scamper around. The film soon offers a jarring image, one that suddenly transforms an innocent childhood activity into one of violence and cruelty, making it amply clear for the viewer about the rest of the narrative's course. Hide and Seek is shot wonderfully with smooth camerawork and editing. It presents forth a premise, but not a conclusion, and leaves you with and at a moment of high tension.

Hide and Seek | Short Film Nominee

The film attempts a sincere engagement with child sexual abuse and skilfully engages with its subject matter to put forth the story of a little girl. Without explicitly showing abuse, something that could potentially be triggering, and perhaps even voyeuristic, the film still manages to communicate its message impactfully. The child, unaware of the ugliness that this world is capable of harbouring within, craves the time and attention of her parents. However, unable to partake in that, she instead finds herself going down a far darker road that is shaped and moulded by adult depravity. The plot is an attempt to draw the viewer's attention to the breakdown of the familial structure which further exposes children to abuse, assault and molestation. It does its bit to add to the conversation, and leaves the audience with images that will stay with them long after they are done watching the film.

Dirt  | Short Film Nominee

Child sexual abuse is a more common reality in India than we choose to acknowledge. The short film is an attempt to remind the viewer of this disturbing aspect of our day-to-day lives. The narrative communicates its message using suggestions and hiding more than it reveals. It is in the gaps that the viewer finds the story. Further, it is an exploration of the human mind and the manner in which childhood trauma can potentially affect an individual in their adult life. Amidst all of this, it also draws attention to the large number of kids who are extremely vulnerable to abuse of all kinds at the hands of seemingly harmless adults, but with far sinister motives and intentions.

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