A Short Break

We have always been a little wary of short films and documentaries.

We have always been a little wary of short films and documentaries. Because we invariably stumble upon the worst of their kind. From amateurish direction to preachy subjects,there is only a finite number of bad films one can watch. We have always wished for some kind of a filter that would separate the talented from the pretentious,the fresh from the amateur. So when we heard that noted filmmaker-duo Umesh Kulkarni and Girish Kulkarni are starting a short film club in Pune,we were obviously excited to see the kind of films they will showcase.

The Arbhaat club,which is set to meet on the first Thursday of every month,held its maiden screenings and a small inauguration function this week. We reached the usually sleepy National Film Archives of India (NFAI) campus two minutes before time,but were astonished by the bustle of a motley group comprising students,young film enthusiasts and senior citizens. Making our way into the auditorium,we were told that all the seats were taken. Surprised by Punes enthusiasm for short films,we made ourselves comfortable on the well-carpeted stairs that secured us a good enough view of the screen.

After a brief introductory speech by Umesh,the screening started with legendary filmmaker Mani Kauls 30-minute short film,Before My Eyes. Originally made to promote tourism in Jammu & Kashmir,the 1989 film is recognised as on of the greatest landscape films that gives a private peek into the now conflict-ridden paradise of India.

Story continues below this ad

The second film screened was Umeshs National Award-winning film,Three of Us. It tells the story of an unusual family in which the 40-year-old son is disabled and completely dependent on his parents for survival. Even though a lot has been written about this film,we were left with a lump in our throats by the end. The third screening was Kaatal,another National Award-winning film. Directed by Vikrant Pawar,it is about a couple that spends its last moments together in the knowledge that they must soon part.

After the screenings,the team of Kaatal hosted an interactive session with the audience. Many enthusiasts asked questions about the characters,locations and the underlying themes of the film. Pawar,along with his cast,answered in great detail and good humour,while Umesh played moderator.

The meet also featured a special ceremony that felicitated members of the film fraternity such as director Shivaji Lotan Patil and actor Usha Jadhav for Dhag,director Vikrant Pawar for Kaatal and cinematographer Abhimanyu Dange. Dilip Prabhawalkar and Jyoti Subhash were some of the noted names who attended the event.

As the audience shuffled quietly to catch a glimpse of the stars and congratulate the dignitaries,we came out feeling that such an endeavor is surely going to benefit the citys intelligentsia.

Click here to join Express Pune WhatsApp channel and get a curated list of our stories

Loading Taboola...

Among dead in Vijay rally stampede, young mother, couple set to marry

Cities2 hr ago

A rally by actor-politician Vijay in Velusamypuram ended tragically with 40 deaths in a stampede. Non-political workers gathered to see the superstar, but exhaustion, heat, and poor planning caused chaos. People collapsed, ambulances couldn't reach, and police presence was inadequate. Vijay's team ignored instructions, and the narrow roads and insufficient crowd control added to the tragedy.

View all shorts

Live Blog