Berlin-Bound ‘Shadowbox’ Explores Mental Health and Family Bonds in Working-Class India, Clip Unveiled: ‘It’s a Journey of Love’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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The heart of the film “Shadowbox” (“Baksho Bondi”), which will have its first showing at the Berlin Film Festival’s Perspectives section, revolves around a former soldier’s struggle with crisis and how it impacts a working-class Bengali family deeply.

In a thrilling turn of events, I’m delighted to announce that I’m admiring the directorial debut of the accomplished cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi, who was an Oscar nominee for “All That Breathes.” Additionally, the talented editor Tanushree Das, known for her work on “Eeb Allay Ooo!”, is also part of this exciting project. The filmmakers have graciously shared a sneak peek of their creation, especially for the esteemed audience at EbMaster.

The movie features Tillotama Shome, a renowned actress known for “Sir” and “Death in the Gunj,” as Maya, a woman juggling various jobs such as house cleaning, chicken farming, and laundry pressing, all while taking care of her husband Sundar, who suffers from PTSD, and their adolescent son Debu, played by newcomer Sayan Karmakar. As Sundar gets entangled in a murder case, Maya finds herself grappling with societal biases and the repercussions of past choices she has made.

Sahi shared with EbMaster that the idea originated from two separate sources. Tanushree envisioned her mother gathering clothes before a storm, while I recalled a childhood friend whose father experienced intense delusions, believing he was divine. I was fascinated by the genuine affection and reverence my friend showed towards his father, and this sparked curiosity within me about the nature of their family dynamics, as I was aware that the external appearance of their relationship did not reflect its true essence.

The project came to fruition after more than ten years, and the filmmaking couple – who are married – discovered that they needed to experience parenthood themselves in order to fully appreciate the emotional nuances of the narrative. “Initially, we conceived the idea quite some time ago,” Das clarified, “but we came to realize there was an aspect of it that remained elusive to us. Upon becoming parents during our most challenging first year, we recognized the story’s profound impact. In essence, this project became our second child.

The movie boasts a powerful team of prominent Indian cinema figures as its producers, with musician-producer Naren Chandavarkar (from Moonweave Films) taking the lead. He’s joined by documentary filmmaker Shaunak Sen, known for “All That Breathes”, and Aman Mann from Kiterabbit Films. The list of executive producers includes actor Jim Sarbh, filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, and producer-director Nikkhil Advani, all representing the Sumitra Gupta Foundation for the Arts.

This film project boasts an impressive array of collaborators from the independent Indian film industry: Shome, Dheer Momaya (Jugaad Motion Pictures), Sidharth Meer (Bridge PostWorks), as well as international partners Dominique Welinski and Isabelle Glachant (Shasha & Co Production, France). Furthermore, Dominique Prashant Nair (Nomad Media & Entertainment, Spain), Anjali Patil (Anahat Films), Anu Rangachar (Gratitude Films, U.S.), Ishaan Chandhok (Criss Cross Content), and Shruti Ganguly (honto88, U.S.) are also involved as co-producers on the project.

Sahi pointed out that every member of this exceptional production team was already a friend before they took on their roles as producers. Each individual contributed far more than simply money; for instance, Shaunak would scrutinize the scripts and provide valuable input. The focus shifted towards fostering a sense of community.

The directors, who are both skilled in technology (Sahi as a cinematographer and Das as an editor), used their expertise to keep the pre-production phase brief. They decided to live at the filming location for a whole year prior to the 22-day shoot. This was because, being the technicians themselves, they had the freedom to invest time without worrying about budgets. As Sahi put it, “This allowed us to make significant decisions like living on site for a year of preparation – something that’s usually considered a luxury.

During filming, Bisht caught Sahi’s attention when he was working as a cinematographer on Nair’s Netflix series “Trial By Fire.” Sahi later mentioned, “His eyes had an enigmatic quality to them.” Karmakar, the actor who portrays their son, was found by casting director Suman Saha and also served as the film’s Bengali dialogue writer. “He is proficient in yoga, and there’s a serene tranquility in his gaze,” Das commented about Karmakar. “This gives the impression of great depth and sadness, which is uncommon among teenage boys,” he added, noting that Karmakar underwent six months of preparation for his first role on screen.

The movie creators aim for viewers to empathize with the film’s portrayal of enduring love in challenging situations. As for the film’s main message, Das expressed his wish that audiences would recall the unseen women who significantly contribute to our lives. “I truly hope they acknowledge these often overlooked individuals,” he said. “Many of us have encountered such women who nourish and care for us. I pray they remember, at least one of them.

Sahi commented, “Ultimately, what remains is a voyage of love – an experience that teetered on the brink of shattering, yet miraculously stayed intact. The optimism lies not in a perfect conclusion, but in these connections lasting.”

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Sahi stated, “In essence, it’s a travelogue of love – a tale where things seemed about to crumble, only to be mysteriously salvaged. The faith is more in the longevity of these relationships than in a contented conclusion.

The married team of directors is currently planning their upcoming project, taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach to its creation. As Das mentioned, they might not start this next film for five, six, or even seven years from now. They want to provide ample time for the project to fully develop. They’re contemplating delving into unexplored cultural and linguistic landscapes for their second feature, welcoming the extensive period of immersion that such a venture would entail.

Watch the clip here:

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2025-02-11 20:17