The film, a non-fictional narrative that includes experiences of several characters, presents its audience with a significant insight into the different kinds of obstacles they have been facing in a coronavirus-ridden world. From police officers to doctors, from Muslims, to people from the North Eastern part of the country, from an old person, to singers and artists, students and daily wage workers, I Am We gives a glimpse into the tribulations, harassment and abuse they have faced during the lockdown. This is further coupled with an emphasis on the message of unity.

I Am We | Lockdown Film Challenge

The film has an urgent appeal as its core intention - one of understanding different perspectives, and the extent of harm their distortion can bring about. It begins with two friends sitting on a beach, watching dogs fight among themselves. However, the lighthearted, cheery atmosphere soon takes a dark turn as conflict wriggles its way between the friends as well. The film wants to exercise and stretch its limbs in the space of metaphors to talk about the rigidity of fixed perspectives that threaten the peace and harmony of the country in the name of religion. It demands of the viewer to not force everything within the monolithic identity of black and white, and allow the subtleties of greys a chance as well in a nation that has been ravaged by intense communal violence, especially in the recent past.

Grey | Short Film Nominee

While there may be a difference of religious and cultural identity between people, kindness truly is a universal language and sentiment. The short film explains the same premise to the viewer by taking them into the life of two flatmates of the Hindu and the Muslim faith. Irrespective of the disagreements that arise in their day-to-day lives, they have learnt to find a common space of love and peace, suggests the story. To assert the same point, there is a surprise waiting for one of them, as well as the audience, at the conclusion of the film. Lastly, the narrative also has a message about India's cultural harmony being part of its national fabric, one which also serves as a reminder that its inherent values should never be forgotten or overlooked.

Ramzan Mubaraq Mere Bhai | Short Film Nominee

The film explicitly or implicitly addresses two big issues of contemporary Indian debate at this point in
time: religious communalism and nationalism. But these are also two of the most perennial themes in
film, so it is hard to say if the film really strives to make an urgent political comment. 

It is a story of three children, who once planted a flag in the ground and stationed a make-shift post to
honour the martyrs who were killed in the war. After some years, an ‘Army Temple’ was established at
the same spot as a monument to forever remember the sacrifices of the brave soldiers. By creating protagonists belonging to different religions, namely Hinduism, Islam and Christianity, who
are all serving in the Indian army to safeguard the interests of the nation state, the film seeks to
promote the message of secularism.

Army Temple | Short Film Nominee

The short film wants to invoke a sense of community that many of us might have found within each other while being isolated and quarantined without our loved ones. It wants to drive home the idea of unity as India as a nation battles the novel coronavirus together.

Ek | Lockdown Film Challenge

Students in a classroom are making a ruckus. When the teacher walks in, he asks the class monitor to
give him names of the students who were causing the nuisance or else, he would be punished. The boy
doesn’t reveal any names, rather chooses to quietly accept the punishment. But then something truly
moving happens. The film promotes the message of unity, friendship and what it means to stand up for each other.

Shikvan | Short Film Nominee

The film is well-intentioned and wants to convey an important message about unity, togetherness and overcoming hardships with the support and help of each other, no matter how bleak things may seem. The story is of a couple during the coronavirus lockdown when the man is out of a job. Financial trouble forces his wife to sell her jewellery for money. It is the occasion of Diwali, and yet, their house is far from the happiness and cheer of this festival of lights. However, how will things change when a kindly neighbour, albeit by accident, finds out the truth of the matter?

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