FIlms in this curation
Laila Aur Satt Geet (2020) by Pushpendra Singh
The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs / Gojri and Hindi with English Subs / 96 mins
Based on a folktale by Rajasthani writer Vidaydan Detha and poems by the 14th-century Kashmiri mystic Lalleshwari, The Shepherdess and the Seven Songs follows Laila, a young woman who reluctantly enters a marriage with a nomadic shepherd and finds herself courted by a relentless and lustful cop. The witty heroine deploys subtly comical trickery with deadpan precision to evade advances and maintain her own independence.
Curators Note:
Laila Aur Satt Geet is a visually stunning journey through the life of Laila, a young girl from Kashmir's nomadic Gujjar Bakarwal community. Against the backdrop of Kashmir's turbulent landscape, Pushpendra Singh weaves a poignant tale of freedom and belonging.
Amar Colony (2022) by Siddharth Chauhan
Hindi with English subs / 75 mins
A crippled widow demands respect for her beloved pigeon. Caught in a maze of loneliness, a pregnant woman finds escape in a tomato. When paranoia strikes, a religious devotee of Lord Hanuman battles it with a mace.
Curators Note:
Amar Colony invites us into the lives of a housing complex's residents, revealing the intricate web of human experiences and desires. Siddharth Chauhan illuminates generational divides, tensions between tradition and modernity, and the fragile dance between personal freedom and societal expectations.
Siddharth Chauhan and Don Palathara will join us virtually for a conversation after the film.
Abharkha (2022) by Himadri Mahesh
Desire / Gujarati with Eng subs / 91 mins
Abharkha meaning desire, is the journey of 2 characters. Milan, a quiet and aloof child who shares a unique bond with his blind teacher Girish Sir at school and Mira, a teacher who holds on stoically in an isolated marriage.
Curators Note:
Abharkha delicately explores the lives of a young boy and his teachers in rural Gujarat. Himadri Mahesh's masterful debut film captures the quiet beauty of everyday moments, rendering this humble story an unforgettable experience.
Koozhangal (2021) by P. S. Vinothraj
Pebbles / Tamil with Eng subs / 74 mins
An abusive, alcoholic father drags his naive son out of school and embarks on a journey to bring back his wife who left him. However, the commotion in his wife’s village pushes the duo to walk back home where the unforgiving barren land and the punishing sun force them to confront their emotions.
Curator's Note:
Koozhangal (Pebbles) is a gripping portrait of rural Tamil life, following a father-son duo's perilous journey. P.S. Vinothraj's camera captures the harsh realities of existence, revealing tender moments amidst desolation and exploring the beauty of the natural world.
Kayo Kayo Colour? (2023) by Shahrukhkhan Chavada
Which Colour? / Hindi with Eng subs / 96 mins
Razzak, an unemployed father of two, endeavours to own an auto-rickshaw for business while his daughter, Ruba, is introduced to an interesting drink worth 100 rupees that she can't afford. Through a series of everyday events, the film uncovers the family’s struggles, interpersonal conflicts, joys, and ways of life as they navigate through the intertwined yet unassuming layers of social and political influence.
Curator's Note:
Kayo Kayo Colour is a heartfelt film exploring the daily life and affects of a lower middle-class family in Ahmedabad. Shot in black and white, it offers a genuine and moving portrayal of ordinary moments and relationships.
A Night of Knowing Nothing (2021) By Payal Kapadia
Hindi with Eng subs / 97 mins
A university student in India writes letters to her estranged lover while he is away. Through these letters, we get a glimpse into the drastic changes taking place around her. Merging reality with fiction, dreams, memories, fantasies and anxieties, an amorphous narrative unfolds.
Curator's Note:
In Night of Knowing Nothing, Payal Kapadia masterfully blends reality and fiction to paint a powerful portrait of India today. This lyrical documentary explores student protests, personal reflections, and cinematic musings, revealing the complexities of youth and resistance.
