Our obsession as a nation with civil services and bureaucracy often leads young people to invest long, toilsome years of their life into preparing for the UPSC exam. Though the aspirants might start on a wave of hope, focus and discipline, they are given little preparation or warning for what is to truly come. For instance, what happens just in case all their hard work is still not enough? Or what more is needed of them beyond simply long hours of study? These are some of the many questions that the latest offering by TVF, Aspirants, raises, while also attempting an answer.

TVF's Aspirants | The Viral Fever | UPSC | Web Series

TVF's Aspirants

In its short length of under two minutes, the film has an important message to convey and draw the viewer's attention to a relevant aspect of familial dynamics. The story is of a proud mother, introducing an unnamed and unknown visitor to the many achievements of her talented daughter. However, is the reality truly as inspiring as she portrays it to be?

Showcase | Lockdown Film Challenge

The story the film tells is a familiar one, and yet, the manner in which the eventual resolution of the narrative is handled makes it stand apart. A boy has just seen his examination result and is unhappy with the grades. However, more than concern for his career, he is worried due to the response he anticipates from his father. After shooting desperate emails and trying to calm himself down by unsuccessfully trying to muster some courage, he chooses to call upon an old friend, one who resides deep within his own consciousness. The conversation that ensues introduces the viewer to all core concerns of the plot, and providing a conclusion that allows it all to come together as an organic whole.

Daud | Short Film Nominee

The film opens on a note of chaos and activity. It is located in a house where a wedding is about to take place, and thus the festivities are in order. A man is at the center of it all, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. However, on entering the bride’s room, a disorienting realization hits him. 

The message that the narrative wants to convey is a crucial one, and it is in this communication that the final revelation of the plot lies. Though a little obscure at first glance, it soon becomes clear when the social context is presented to the viewer in a direct, unambiguous manner.

Vidya | Short Film Nominee

The narrative efficiently employs the same physical space to bring to life all its intentions which are then portrayed by way of light and shadows, symbolic images, and an exchange of faceless voices. While we never see a character on screen, each of them is allowed a fixed, significant space in the protagonist's life. The protagonist himself is located within a realm of the burden of his responsibilities as a son, and a fiance and partner, a professional struggling at his job, and above all, someone who is grappling with the warring thoughts within his own mind. The film endeavors a sleek edit, coupled with a matching background score to present all of these concerns to the viewer.

"It's All in the Mind" | Short Film Nominee

The plot of Calling divides itself into three parts, each corresponding to a part of the brain - brain stem, cortex and cerebellum. Each section introduces the viewer to a different struggle of the protagonist - from the pressure of familial responsibilities to problems in his relationship to obstacles pertaining to his professional life. As he struggles to confront his issues head-on, there are further doubts and concerns about finding a way to pursue his true passion and desires. By portraying all of this, the narrative communicates an important message about peace and happiness that is often found most easily in the great outdoors, in the lap of nature, and the trails that lead to them, or at least in the thought and images of the same which might not always exist beyond our mind. Additionally, the idea of nature being a source of solace is simply a suggestion of what a person's calling can be. The film's intention is to only use it as a metaphor to urge the viewer to find their own place of comfort and ease.

Calling | Short Film Nominee

The film opens in a room where a boy busies himself before a canvas. However, a sudden noise makes him drop everything and flip open his laptop. The urgency of his manner as well as the writing behind him which suggests a '95%' as his goal, makes it clear to the viewer that the narrative will be about the struggle between an academic score and the protagonist's passion for painting. The film is marked by its pretty visuals, smooth camerawork and a positive message about hope and perspectives that can help one overcome the peer, familial and societal pressure of securing a sky-high percentage in their examination. Result Agaya Kya? is well-intentioned and a sincere endeavour that exhibits the deep potential of its young team, presenting its message to the viewer in a lucid way.

Result Agaya Kya? | Short Film Nominee

The narrative of I Allot Your Room is marked by a conversation between two people - a man and a woman. As the two discuss a few details, the viewer is first led to believe that this is perhaps a chat about a hotel booking he has made, and has now arrived to claim his room. However, the story soon develops to reveal a far more disturbing reality. An engagement is thus invoked with the ideas of death, afterlife, work and financial pressure and how it can sometimes lead one to make irrevocable decisions. Though the form of the story seems to subscribe more to that of a podcast than a film, the final product remains marked by storytelling and performances that exhibit competence and potential.

I Allot Your Room | Lockdown Film Challenge

The visual narrative wants to employ an experimental approach to portray a reality we are all too familiar with by now. Attempting to discuss the experience of working from home during the pandemic, the story wants to give a glimpse of the many obstacles that rest within this way of life. Charlie Chaplin forms an important source of inspiration for its core thought. Additionally, marked by a complete absence of dialogue, it aims to use metaphors and symbolic images to convey it all.

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