On the face of it, 'Rat Tail' is an intimate, brave, beautiful account of a person’s relationship with his hair. And yet, as the film evolves and progresses, and before the viewer can realize it, it takes us into a far darker world, eventually tying it all together with an uplifting, heartwarming message. If you have begun to wonder how could all of it be considered an organic, comprehensive or even an entertaining creative endeavor, read on. 

Filmmaker Chad Sogas employs an efficient, sophisticated edit, tied with seamless overlaps of voices from his own life, to present to you a personal account of his battles with mental illness. However, without making it didactic, overbearing or mawkish, all traps a pursuit of this kind can very easily fall into, he offers an uplifting story of hope, recovery and healing. Especially relevant in a world where the pandemic has left us with ravages of a time and existence we all struggled to cope with, the film comes at a very opportune time. 

One of many strengths of the film also becomes its ability to utilize a highly personal narrative in a manner that makes it extremely relatable and inclusive for the audience. Whether your struggles are of a similar nature or not as the protagonist, its enduring and indomitable sense of hope and acceptance will ensure that 'Rat Tail' works wonderfully on multiple levels. From storytelling to approach to narratorial progression, the film offers sophistication and smoothness in all departments, along with having its heart in the right place. After all, what is good art and storytelling, if not simply a reminder, fleeting as it might be, that perhaps we are all in this together?

Rat Tail | Short Film of the Month

The short film is undeniably beautiful in its eccentric and refreshing treatment of a topic that has been attempted an engagement with countless times, making the possibility of banal or lacklustre content around the same extremely likely. Dumps, on the other end, steers clears of this effortlessly and in a manner worthy of all your appreciation. The film opens with a black and white palette, instinctively placing things in neat categories for the viewer - of sadness and gloom, and other emotions that remain beyond the protagonist's reach. A note is left for 'dad' on the table as he progresses to the bathroom for the next step - his suicide. However, the most unexpected development ensures that things are completely thrown off-course, the neatness of the plan evaporating, as emotional complexities and nuances come to dominate the messy, wet scene of a toilet marked by a toaster, an overflowing bathtub, and well, the protagonist stuck to his toilet seat. While encouraging a conversation on mental health and suicide, the film also addresses patterns of self-sabotage that an individual might be subjecting themselves to, consciously or not. Tight close-ups, sophisticated comedic moments entwined with the darkness of the theme and a unique interaction and interpretation of mental health issues ensure that the narrative is tight, engrossing and impactful in the message it wants to communicate, along with allowing an enriching viewing experience to its audience.

Dumps | Short Film of the Day

Mental health, especially in 2020, has become a topic demanding urgent attention. The short film is an endeavour to further the same conversation. By portraying the emotional isolation and the consequent mental strain it puts the protagonist under, the narrative asserts its point. Along with presenting the problem, there is also the attempt to offer a solution. Solicitude reminds the viewer to check in on their friends and loved ones from time to time, to ensure loneliness or any other emotion of the kind does not acquire overwhelming proportions for them. The film is concise and endeavours to employ brevity to set the premise, establish the crisis of the protagonist and finally conclude with a solution to avoid or fix the situation at hand, all of this being realised simply under two minutes.

Solicitude | Short Film Nominee

Trigger warning: Suicide 

The endeavor of the narrative is to engage with a very pertinent social cause, but also the role of the individual when it comes to shaping their life. The same is attempted by giving us a glimpse into the life of Raymond. 

Alone at home, he receives a phone call from his doctor which turns his world upside down. Thus begins a series of overwhelming emotions, coupled with some very destructive actions that take Raymond down a dark path of irrevocable choices. 

The narrative is well-intentioned and ensures that these intentions are made clear for the viewer. There is further the attempt to experiment with technique and visual treatment to bring all of this to life.

Your Call | Short Film Nominee

Simply put, narrative is an attempt to further the conversation around mental health. It further talks of the significance of support, love and attention of family and friends in identifying the first signs of someone being in need of help. Emphasising the absolute importance of noticing them early on, in getting them the adequate aid they need, the film puts across the story of a teenaged girl. As she goes about her daily routine, the film wants to communicate to the viewer that someone with a seemingly ordinary and chirpy life might actually be grappling with far darker emotions. With every passing day, they seem to become more and more overwhelming for the protagonist, until one day, when they lead her to a place of no return. The film would have benefited from a closer attention to visual detail and more time on the edit table. However, overall, it is an honest attempt to talk about an issue becoming more and more relevant in the contemporary world with every passing day.

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