This short film, starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and directed by Nandita Das, works as the perfect prelude to the full-length feature film Manto soon to make an appearance on the silver screen. Nawazuddin is as convincing as Manto in the film as he has been in all of his prior roles. The film is a deep and insightful commentary on society which attempts to hide its vulgarities and inherent contradictions by attacking the artist who simply holds a mirror to it. It's not the art which is ugly, but the reflection of the critic who attacks the former with misguided rage. If nothing at all, In Defence of Freedom, handled extremely elegantly by Das, simply succeeds in compelling the viewer to start a conversation with the self and its location in society.

In Defence Of Freedom | Short Film of the Day

The film presents a story of harassment and stalking, but does so with uniqueness in storytelling. The freshness in its approach ensures that the viewer is glued to the narrative right till the very end, as the protagonist, Megh, takes them deeper and deeper into his world. 

Megh is a writer who, one night, stumbles upon a strange man with a strange query. The film moves back and forth in time as Megh recounts his ordeal to three other characters, each with their own approach to the encounters he describes. 

The film’s biggest strength is what it achieves at the level of thought. It presents a fluidity of roles, and that they can be quite different for the same person depending on the context they are placed in. The story further presents the internal journey that the protagonist goes on as a result of this harrowing experience, and what all of it entails for his identity as a writer. 

The title is explored and engaged with, alongside the life of a city which can sometimes be as forgiving as Mumbai. There is an interaction with the ideas of justice as well. Though there is a slight lack of seamlessness when it comes to the film’s sound department, it is easy to overlook it in the face of the performances, writing, and narratorial progression that the film offers. The ideas thus presented are seeds of thoughts that should definitely be allowed to grow in more projects.

Out of Context | Short Film of the Month

‘Shrey’ takes the viewer into a tense moment right after the story opens. Even before any action unfolds, the background score ensures that the viewer is never at ease, making it one of the most notable aspects of the film. 

The film progresses to introduce us to Tamas and Prabhas. While both consider themselves aspiring authors, there is a clear power dynamic that exists between the two, irrespective of the many shared cups of tea and cigarettes. The younger Tamas presents a protege/assistant relationship with the older, more experienced Prabhas, a relationship that has been in existence for the last two years. Surrounding this are a myriad more elements all fraught with different kinds of anxieties - a failed marriage, a father’s passing, familial conflict, a mountain of lies, and most importantly, the desperation and unwavering dream to become a published writer. 

The narrative does a skilled job of exploring all of this, and some more. The performances and the shared chemistry between the two actors ensure that the numerous complexities are allowed a fitting portrayal. Though a few limitations of resources appear in terms of the visuals, the storytelling triumphs over them.

Shrey | Spotlight

Ashish Manohar Nagrik is a harried citizen who has arrived at the police station to file a complaint against his foster mother. He is a struggling writer who lives in an overcrowded, cramped corner of Mumbai. As he shares his long list of complaints with a police cop who is both in a hurry to clock out of his shift and intrigued by Ashish’s case in equal measure, a lighthearted, engaging story comes into existence. 

The screenplay and performances are constructed in a manner that ensures that at every point, the viewer is more informed than the confused police officer himself. The narratorial progression also conveys all the film’s intentions with impact, leaving you entertained as well as amused at this seemingly strange conversation, which is taken home with ease.

Maya Nagri | Spotlight

The movie, marked by its single member cast and crew, is a dedicated and sincere attempt to tell its story. A man wakes up from a disturbing nightmare which he chooses to turn around into a writing project. While engaging with his endeavours, there is indeed a darker, more unexpected reality to be discovered by him. Would he be prepared when it finally arrives?

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