Fallen Art

Tomek Baginski takes weird to another level. Fallen Art is a short sequence from what looks like a tale that can have and intriguing background and a stupendous conclusion. There's out of box music. And the bla-bla narrative. Fits in with the weird base.

Lallan Miya says, "nayaab....bhai chakkar kha gaye hum toh"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46QaOikFYhM

EL'ayichi

Devashish's hilarious haunting tale leaves you wanting more. Brilliant performance by Nimrat. Dead husband haunts her and they still fight like a regular couple. Simply funny. Watch it for the dialogues.

Lallan Miya says, "Ek bhoot hamaare sar pe sawaar tha...filmoen mein hero banne ka..lekin yeh waala toh comedian nikla"

Idhar Zaroor Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=269&v=A6LdrZLgBd8

Black Mirror

Adi Burman attempts to awaken the Mumbaikar. A montage of Mumbai Darshan images backed by a VO and the famous "yeh hai mumbai meri jaan" track. This short fails to move me. The VO is rather hollow and has a very heard before feel. We have seen this before. It does not entertain, nor does it make us think about the street children in Mumbai or anywhere else.


Lallan Miya says, "Bhai jazbaati jhoota bhigoke maarna hai toh pehle jazbaat samjho".


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=16&v=KAJPgwfGv60

Mamta Tonic

Shrinivas Sunderrajan gives you a shot of his terrifying tonic. A warm and friendly and motherly harmless woman knocks on your door trying to sell you a simple tonic. One she claims is keeping her alive. And soon it turns into the last drink you had. Thriller in 6 mins. Watch it for the performance. Lallan Miya says, "aisa darr toh tumhaari bhabhijaan ne bhi kabhi nahi paida kiya"

Idhar Dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=359&v=6RC_mao3bs4

The Escort

The director of this short film has a seriously funny script and a bad cast on hand. I can feel for the chair. Based on a book 'the Wedding Saree', this short has an unexpected twist in the end. Rest of the film is predictable...or is it? You decide. Lallan Miya says, "khuda bachaye auraton se"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8BLIJi2DSY

The Expert

Lauris Beinerts makes you re-live every illogical discussion you have had with your client. Especially if you are an engineer, adman, architect or some such. Even if you're not, I say watch this and you'll know what I mean.

Lallan Miya says, "ek raphada maru jo mujhe chai banaane ki nasihat dee toh"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

Kamera

Nijo Jonson bakes up this warm fruit cake and serves it with a cup of hot coffee. Kamera is a sweet little boy's wish to make the world smile by becoming a joker, until he finds a camera and realizes people always smile for the camera. So he decides to become a photographer. The setting of a slum adds to his innocence and ignorance about real world. Lallan Miya says, "aesthetically kadak...kya kissa hai"

Idhar dekho- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0nPCc1ZpIY

Jai Hind

Vinay Jaiswal visualizes for us how it would be if India was still ruled by the British in 2015. I have several issues with this loud jingoistic story. Firstly, enough and many films have shown us what it was to be like under the British Raaj. Whether they were more or less accurate in their visualization is a separate debate. But this has been done..."bloody Indians...Khaaneko roti nahi hoga...dogs and Indians not allowed...I can go on with the list of such scenes from B&W days to digital. Secondly, if we were(let's assume) still under British Raaj, then too 2015 is a different age. So this just does not do it for me. Lallan Miya says, "bhai angrez chale gaye...ab azaadi ke maine bhi angrezon se chutkaara paane se kai zyaada ho gaye hai....jago"

Idhar dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhUApcBAbZA

Alma

Rodrigo Blaas tells us a terrifying story in disguise of a sweet animation short. It starts off as a film that you would want to add to your- 'i'll show this to my 5 year old' collection. But soon enough you realize, it is a horror that will send the chills for a while. I was in love with Ahalya- Sujoy Ghosh, until I saw this one. The resemblance is uncanny. Lallan Miya says, "bhai videsi videsi hota hai..."

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tECaYQ1AzkM

Positive

Farhan Akhtar tells us a very emotional story about Aids. Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani and the intense scenes are the three highlights of this short. Watch it for the performances. Lallan Miya says, "aisi khaaniya aur phailaao"

Idhar Dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evsjTDgPeAU

Arre Baba

Surya Balakrishnan captures a very sweet and heart touching moment between a single father and his daughter. Lovely writing. This one is really short and sweet. Must watch. Lallan Miya says, "bhai baap ho to aisa"

Idhar Dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-mmIgSao40

Bypass

Amit Kumar shows us the mirror. The dark and ugly side of our being. Much before Ugly (by Anurag Kashyap), Girl with Yellow Boots or even Gulaal; features that dug deep into darkness, this short does it with no inhibitions. And to add, there's brilliant performances by Nawaazuddin and Irfan. Lallan Miya says, "bhai daraa diya khudaa ki kasam...warna mard hone ka gumaan toh ham bhi rakhte the".

Idhar Dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCRBY9ss-58

Moi Marjaani

Anubhuti Kashyap tells us a story of a Punjaaban who is a single mother, rides a bike and has a beard. Do I need to say more...this should have been a feature film. The character itself has enough gravitas to pull off a 150 minuter. And underlying the plot is the simple message of widow-re-marriages. Lallan Miya says, "Oye Balle!"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3X5RPfW_r4

Error

Rohit Pandey shows us how to use a small apartment and place cameras in weirdest of places to make the most of it. Simple narrative. Actors hold their own throughout. Overall engaging. Lallan Miya says, " itne paise mein itna kuch!..Waah!"

Idhar Dekho:  https://vimeo.com/77402092

Kirchiyaan

Sudhir Mishra creates a fast moving thriller. Powerful cast and the zippy narrative make it worthwhile. And yes it does have the Sudhir Mishra touch. The only disappointment is that the short does not live up to the build up. Perhaps i was expecting many twists and surprises. Lallan Miya says, "bhai acha hai..."

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVkP3eRy4aA

Chai

Geetanjali Rao brews up a fresh cup with four stories running in parallel. She chooses to not show their faces but their tales paint quite a picture. A good mix of illustration and reality embellished with real voices. It's a nice watch. Lallan Miya says, "ek cup aur ho jaye!".

Idhar Dekho:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPfrBRm_3Kg

Geek Out

Vasan Bala must have been a geek. Or has studies them well for sure. This funny funny journey in to the head of a geek boy who is in love with a colleague leaves me wanting for more. But then, this is a short and less is more. Lallan Miya says, "dekho...magar pyar se".


Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGvT-SOSYc0

Ahalya

Sujoy Ghosh takes you on a wild ride. A mystery wrapped with good performances and the perfect setting. Well written, well executed. Now this proves, if you have a good script, you have a great film. This is easily one of the best shorts i have seen in a while. Lallan Miya says, "yeh baat toh saare muhalle ko bataani padegi".

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff82XtV78xo

2B or not 2B

Samvida Nanda got this one shortlisted at Cannes. If you sit through the slow start and what appears to be an eccentric experimental film, you will be rewarded with intelligent writing twists as the story unfolds and unfolds again. 14 mins well spent. Lallan Miya says, "Aate rehna guru, agli baar elaichi waali chai peelaunga"

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3tjBGD26TY

Vaapsi

Srinivas Sunderrajan attempts to hold your attention with simple visuals and what could have been great writing. Sadly, it makes no impact. Actor D. Santosh has given some performances that stuck with you in the past. This one, we can choose to ignore. The problem is with the narration, it has nothing going for it. Hollow. Lallan Miya says, "aise kissey sunaoge toh udhaar band".

Idhar Dekho: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzVXxjZDn5Q