The narrative of the film is short, concise, and above all, unforgettably powerful. It starts off at a harmless note of a young woman making a recipe video for perhaps a video blog. However, the actual concern she is trying to draw her viewers' attention to immediately shocks you. It further serves as a jarring reminder of how the most atrocious, cruel acts hide in plane sight, maybe in the house of a seemingly average couple. The film also highlights the disturbing reality of the increase in cases of domestic violence and abuse that several women are being subjected to as a result of the coronavirus lockdown. All in all, the film puts forth its message in a simple, yet intelligent manner which is precisely what makes it deeply impactful.

Smoked Chicken Gravy | Short Film of the Day

Trigger warning: graphic, animal carcasses, sexual violence 
The violence and brutality of human appetite can truly be a destructive force. The many forms that it can take, in action and thought, can lead to even more devastating consequences, underlines the film. It presents its ideas by way of a dysfunctional family, a space marked by abuse of all kinds. 

The appetite of the patriarch of the house for mutton becomes an important preoccupation of the film, while also presenting its most pivotal metaphor. The subsequent narratorial developments are portrayed most convincingly by the performances and the screenplay. 

The narrative remains more action-centric than using verbal exchanges and, in the process, presents a powerful story you cannot look away from, no matter the extent of harsh ferocity unfolding on screen. The plot succeeds in communicating all its intentions, even if at the cost of churning the viewer’s stomach, and remains loud and clear in the message it leaves you with.

Mutton | Short Film of the Day

The short film follows the life of Shikhar who has a history of intense domestic abuse meted out to him by an alcoholic parent. The father, Mahesh, would abuse both Shikhar and his mother in the harshest, cruelest of ways, leaving the protagonist not only with visible scars, but also an immense emotional burden to carry forth in his life. 
Memories of decades long abuse and trauma still ensure that Shikhar's present is not devoid of distress. Details and objects like an ink blot, tea spills, a pocket watch, all come to play crucial roles in this aspect. At the same time, he has also developed an eye for identifying signs of struggle, and responding to the unheard call for help. The aforementioned elements are eventually tied together with a supernatural ability of the protagonist that the viewer is gradually introduced to. 
Amidst it, however, darker and unsettling revelations simmer under the surface, waiting to be unearthed at the right moment. All of this allows the narrative to reach a truly disconcerting conclusion for the audience to then interact with.

Imprints | Short Film Nominee

There are many stories which often get pushed away into the darkness of secrecy, guilt and shame. It’s better to brush them away than to bring them under the glaring scrutiny of a patriarchal society. The short film tells one such story of a woman who has always attempted to hide her scars away. However when the attack is on someone she loves, will she break the silence? The film raises the same question and asserts that sometimes the simple realisation of an ugly reality is the first step towards changing it. It does however fail at providing a neater resolution and might leave the viewer feeling deprived of closure.

Meeraas | Short Film Nominee

It is a quiet winter morning filled only with a boy reciting the Indian pledge. Soon he is joined by other children’s voices, all of varying ages and from different households. These voices of innocence then become a significant perspective into the cruelties and darkness of the adult world. 

The film preoccupies itself with domestic violence within marriage where both men and women are at the receiving end. The decision to explore the issue through the simple and straightforward point of view of children remains the most notable aspect of the film.

I Pledge | Short Film Nominee

While the Covid-19 national lockdown brought with it all kinds of adverse consequences, one of the most alarming ones was the rise in domestic abuse across the nation. The forced confinement in close quarters, along with the many stressors of a pandemic, ensured that women often dealt with the worst brunt of it all. ‘The Fridge’ engages with the same reality, applying an experimental approach to its visuals. 

The frame remains fixed, observed from the point of view of a mute presence, that of a refrigerator. The many sounds and visuals of hands and the choices they make, ensure that the meaning is made clear to the viewer. No room is left for ambiguity in this storytelling endeavor which succeeds in communicating all its ideas in an emphatic, lucid manner.

The Fridge | Short Film Nominee

The sheer shock that hits you when the short film reveals its true intentions is the most noteworthy aspect of the story. It starts off on a harmless note marked by humour and lightheartedness. However the tone soon transforms from one of comedy to another about a tragic reality of our lives in general, and during the pandemic lockdown, in particular. A boy is making a short film with his parents for his YouTube channel. Consequently, the viewer is taken into their lives and household. This development soon comes to be marked by a sense of unease. The viewer begins to wonder if this cheery filmmaker has already revealed too much about his parents during the light project he is working on. Of course they are all actors and none of the characters are real, but the journey that is completed by the viewer while getting to this unease and moving forward from there, is an interesting one, earning the film all the points for its writing.

How to Make a Zero Budget Short Film During Quarantine | Lockdown Film Challenge

Domestic violence, a malady intrinsic to Indian society, saw a staggering rise during the year 2020. This, in turn, makes the need to discuss this ailment more urgent than ever. As the pandemic ensured that we got confined indoors with little to no participation or distraction from the outside world, violence and abuse in the familial space reached shocking levels. The film is an endeavor to draw your attention to the same. It portrays the story of a young girl who finds it difficult to adjust in her environment or even reach out to anyone for help as a result of the abuse she is subjected to at home. By introducing you to her life, the film wants to do its bit in raising awareness and starting a dialogue in the hope of some kind of reform and change in society.

Chuppi Tod | Short Film Nominee

The coronavirus lockdown brought with it another disturbing reality - one of the horrifying rise in cases of domestic abuse and violence in households. Humsuffer is an attempt to engage with the same, while also educating the viewer to raise their voice against it. The film is a glimpse into the life of a couple where the woman has been physically assaulted by her husband. The opening shot establishes this for the audience, while also portraying how she has chosen to suffer in silence. However, help does arrive for her, and in the most unexpected fashion. By using the reality of this particular couple, a significant comment is offered to not let these acts pass by, along with suggesting ways in which viewers can seek help if they find themselves or someone they love in this unfortunate situation.

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