Short films are not a very popular category of films in India. They have a selected niche of cinema lovers as an audience and hardly any say amongst feature films. Even Filmfare Awards has a category for short films but they are not even acknowledged by the public.
Thanks to the OTT platforms particularly YouTube that it is giving a new life to short films. From a cinema perspective, short films have to carry a relevant story in a few minutes in a way that impacts the audience. It is anything but an easy thing so it’s high time we give bestow our attention there.
Below is our recommendation of 5 short films from 2021 that you should watch.
5. Un.Suitables
This is the story of two boys from different religious backgrounds. They are lovers but their sexual orientation makes them unsuitable for the so-called idealistic society. A big myth about homosexuality originates from its very name. People think that it is just about sex and our cinema has more or less carried forward that propaganda. But things are changing and thankfully this film focuses on other aspects of a homosexual couple’s life.
If someone is struggling from homophobia then it is a must-watch film.
4. Zombie
This highly acclaimed film won multiple awards in different film festivals. Including ones for the best original story and direction. It is true that Zombie attacks are highly cliched subjects in horror film genres but they are still largely untouched in India. This film talks about that and in a highly innovative manner.
3. Friction
This film starring Sanjay Kapoor is about friction between two people that didn’t exist earlier. Just like every relation, that between a couple is no exception. Often people confuse difference of opinion as defiance. It can lead to serious issues between people and also to individuals. Sumit Suresh Kumar has beautifully directed this film and he successfully shows the blurred line of morality.
2. Batti
This award-winning film includes the best child actor award for its protagonist Batti. It is so easy to judge children who are easily found around railway stations and temples. We often judge them as thieves, vagrants and on other highly immoral bases. But this film is a way forward to that. It ends with a highly relevant and touching poem by Gulzaar that supports the narrative.
1.Chi Chi
It becomes easier to judge when we are privileged. Maids may work hard for us but they are common victims of stereotyped criminalisation. This film talks about Chi Chi or Dirty stereotypes that privileged people use against the people whom they think do menial jobs. It is a highly thought-provoking film that all of us should watch to distance ourselves from such evils.
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