The pandemic has brought many artistic industries to a halt. However, in the face of immense calamity, newer, less traditional means of film-making have come to the surface. Adapting to the social distancing norms, put in place to safeguard human life, film-makers are exploring the notion of a pandemic through innovative story-telling. These films acknowledge the challenges of lockdown through visual narratives; such as the prevalence of domestic violence and voicing our opinions.
Here is a list of short films that attempt to discuss the realities of a pandemic:-
I. Listen to Her
‘Listen to Her’ is a short film produced and enacted by acclaimed actor Nandita Das. The film is an incredibly nuanced portrayal of the “irony of ‘STAY HOME, STAY SAFE’ for women”. Addressing the triple burden a working mother deals with–raising her children, taking care of the house and flourishing at her work–-can potentially become an exhausting environment to live in. The film crescendos when we hear the main protagonist call her servant through her cellphone and is bewildered when she hears shrieks of struggle and violence. Das is exceptional in her portrayal of what a ‘safe home’ can mean to many women around the world.
II. Surviving The Lockdown Short Film (Bangalore City)
This philosophical short film highlights the smaller details of life we have come to appreciate and notice in our time indoors. Warm sunsets, small plants sprouting life and a tender evening breeze – all otherwise forgotten in the hustle and bustle of our fast-paced pre-COVID-19 lives. This film is a contemplative nod to the fainter interior moods of our quarantine life.
III. Learning Never Stops
One of the most arduous aspects of our current pandemic experience has been shifting our mode of study. Students across the world are adapting to learning styles that include screens rather than blackboards or ‘real’ classrooms. What we need to keep in mind is that the safest option for students and teachers likewise, to hone in on their education and skills while continuing to enrich their lives, is online learning. ‘Learning Never Stops’ exemplifies this sentiment by showcasing an inspirational protagonist, Aastha, not giving up her teaching journey, even while we collectively process the effects of the pandemic.
IV. Aavaz - A lockdown short film
‘Aavaz’ is a film about the interior aspects of one’s family life. It’s about the different political, generational, and gendered gaps we inhabit vis-á-vis one another, but usually, sideline until we are forced to spend every hour of every day with each other. Confronting our ability to speak up about things we care about is what ‘Aavaz’ elucidates in this subtly powerful short film.
V. Home Stories
‘Home Stories’ is a collection of short films produced by Netflix, all assimilated in this almost one-hour-long video. The collection includes ‘Out With It,’ ‘Will You Be My Quarantine’ and ‘Delivering Smiles’. All three of these short films tackle the virtual and offline realities of the pandemic through distinct genres. From comedy to drama, these well-produced and brilliantly directed films are a must-watch.
VI. UNLOCKED: The Stranger
According to their description, “The Stranger is the first of a series of short films made during the lockdown of COVID 19. Actors and the crew didn’t meet during the making of this film. Some of them have never met each other. Actually the editor hasn’t met the director ever. The actor in LA has never met her co-actors. They are strangers. But not actually. That’s what UNLOCKED: The Stranger is about. That there are no strangers.” Another innovative short film that uses technology to channel their narrative and highlight important philosophical questions.
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