Engaging, unpredictable and potentially disconcerting - that’s perhaps the most apt way of describing the short film. Bloody Moustache is well-written, expertly visualised and coupled with strong performances. It opens with a man shaving off his moustache one morning. However, this sudden change in his appearance elicits no response in his family, his wife and a younger brother. When explicitly drawn attention to, the two look visibly perturbed for the character has never had a moustache in his whole life. As the narratives mingle, the viewer is made to question, who is telling the truth? And if either of them is lying, what could be the motivations behind it?

Bloody Moustache | Short Film of the Day

The short film has done the unthinkable - it has attributed sexuality to Indian mothers. This Mother's Day, it provides us with a much needed conversation on the intimate desires of a woman, irrespective of her age. As is true of many Blush videos, this one too intuitively raises questions on behalf of the audience - how can a middle aged mother have these desires? Is this even expected from her? How can she procure a sex toy? - and answers them all. It is wonderful in the manner it shows a confident woman, embracing her sexuality with no guilt or shame, and reminds the viewer that a woman's sexuality is no one's business except hers.

Risky Business | Short Film of the Day

Right from the start till the very end, the short film keeps the viewer guessing. The unpredictability becomes one of its most prominent strength in the process. This is coupled with endearing performances and convincing writing that is associated with much of Culture Machine's content. The film attempts to explore the dynamics of a modern day workplace and how it ties up with the personal life of a young girl. However, no matter how topsy-turvy things may go, as long as there's a non-judgmental friend who enables you by being a sounding board and a voice of reason, there is little that can't be fixed, won't you agree?

About Last Night | Short Film of the Day

Without saying much, and equipped with a narrative that is marked by no complex or detailed dialogues, the film invokes a notable message about the unspoken intimacy and emotional bonding that can exist between two people. It only engages with the mundane, day-to-day lived reality, marked by mishaps and unforeseen circumstances that can put anyone in an untoward situation. However, it is in these situations that our past actions of kindness and generosity come into motion. As the title suggests, the film comes to pivot itself on a small act of a little tip that a watchman gives to a waiter at a local restaurant every day. One day, the watchman finds himself at the centre of a potentially unpleasant event, one he is not even entirely aware of. And yet, when it develops, how will his unspoken equation with the waiter come to affect it?

Tip | Short Film Nominee

'Marriage Fever' is a sweet story of Parth and Disha’s friendship. Despite the seeming Platonic nature of their equation, sexual tension remains all pervasive throughout their interactions with each other. As the two guzzle down buttermilk shots and overhype their culinary skills, a conversation about marriage remains their constant companion. The performances remain endearing and cheery all along to support the many exchanges, and the narrative's forward movement. Through their banter and lightheartedness, the friendship is portrayed in a simple manner for the audience. It would be interesting to see more, longer glimpses into the life of our two characters, and their many antics together.

Marriage Fever | Short Film Nominee

Forever is a story of love, loss and the inexorable passage of life which continues to move forward irrespective of any and all factors. The film opens with a close shot of a book and a note in it - a book about rules of love. The narrative progresses to reveal that this is more than just a usual romance. Instead, it has a darker reality waiting for the viewer right under the surface. The story moves back and forth and adopts a non-linear manner to unfold. Despite the sense of loss that accompanies it, there is also an invocation of hope that always finds a way to triumph all darkness and defeat. Though the story-telling shows potential, the film would have benefited from a closer attention to camerawork and the general flow of events.

Forever | Short Film Nominee

Abhi Na Jao is an ambitious attempt to engage with a relationship that an artist develops with an artificial intelligent assistant. As the affection and warmth takes the form of an obsession, the film gets darker. It opens with a dimly lit shot of a painter standing before a blank canvas, unable to achieve what he wants. The product of art remains incomplete as he struggles to find someone to talk him out of ending his own life, to give meaning to his life. The narrative then goes back in time to delineate events that led to the present moment. The film tries to be an exploration of an intense topic, however, is unable to offer an entirely unique voice to engage with it.

Abhi Na Jaao | Short Film Nominee

The short film adopts an experimental approach to put forth its message. The frame is a neat, minimalist one with a single pair of a woman's feet. As she walks across to the centre in her pumps, she soon finds herself joined by another pair. Sleek and suave looking black-coloured shoes make their way towards the pumps, followed by a pair of white sneakers immediately after. As both try to win her favour, she is impressed by neither and chooses a corner for herself, away from them. The narrative attempts to be a comment on how empty, shallow and superficial some relationships can be. On the other hand, not much is needed for genuine companionship to thrive, it suggests further.

Footwork | Short Film Nominee

The film is a portrayal of a complex situation a couple has found itself in. It tries to discuss fidelity and the ideas of love and trust. However, the exploration remains wanting for more. When a boy finds out that his live-in partner is cheating on him, he confronts her, but instead of rejecting her or walking out of the relationship, he adopts a different approach. The film might be well-intentioned, but the characters remain superficial and their motivation comes across as unconvincing. The story has the potential to be unique and perhaps can be explored expertly in similar projects by the team.

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