Year end lists are difficult, but they serve as a careful and necessary reminder of the films that surrounded us in the last few months. The feather-weight touch of Ashish Bende's Marathi language coming-of-age film Aatmapamphlet skillfully deals with the uncompromising subject matter- intercutting cultural history and personal history together unlike few Indian films in recent memory. Where to watch: …
The Darbhanga indie is now a flourishing mini-genre. The city in Bihar—known for its hospitals, heritage sites, musical traditions and mango orchards —has been the setting of two intimate, evocative films of recent years: Achal Mishra’s Dhuin and Gamak Ghar. Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar—’On Either Sides of the Pond’—emerged from Saurabh’s experiences and observations during those difficult, draining years. But …
The emergence of the heart of Mithilanchal as a cinematic setting has been talismanic for parallel filmmaking in India. Given the moniker Darbhanga New Wave, this quiet revolution has now birthed Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar, yet another unassuming blow to the consciousness. Set in the wake of the pandemic, Parth Saurabh’s film centres on Priyanka and Sumit, lovers in their …
