The film weaves technology and sexuality together to create the most skilled and arresting narrative about the journey with regards to his gender identity and the manner in which it comes to be located in his marriage. As Emelia and Jeff celebrate their twentieth marriage anniversary, they decide to experiment with virtual reality glasses that echo their deepest subconscious perceptions of the self. A hesitant and sceptical Jeff is encouraged by his wife to let go of his apprehensions and try them on. What follows next is perhaps something neither the viewer nor the couple could have expected. Instead of potentially a night of "kinky sex", as later on one of the characters goes ahead to call it, it becomes one of revelations and self-discovery. The film employs light and sound to conjure an atmosphere of unease, which is an echo of the uncertainty, nervousness and confusion of the characters themselves. The performances blend in most seamlessly with the camerawork which only enhances the mood and sentiment that have been invoked so far. Consequently, the story of the film is a beautiful one, striking the right chords and exploring the most worthy nuances. Indeed its biggest strength lies in the manner of using something as clinical and potentially cold as science, to engage with human emotion, identity and the idea of the self in the most delicate manner.

Vert | Short Film of the Day

Nano puts together a narrative that oozes with swanky graphics, technical prowess and a storytelling befitting a top-drawer sci-fi flick to the extent of leaving you surprised when it ends at a mere sixteen minutes. Now this isn't a shortcoming, but a strength suggesting how the film has a premise and subject worthy of a longer project. The story is set in a futuristic society where nanotechnology has advanced far enough to be able to control a being's, humans or their pets, genetic makeup. While it may be all fun and games to alter your hair or eye colour at will, there indeed lies a much darker reality underneath it all. Though the government may be set to roll out an update that can potentially render all free will useless (surprise, surprise), there is a group of ethical hackers trying to fight against it, to ensure that human agency and individuality does not come under attack from technological developments. The film's attention to detail to the technology it discusses is worthy of mention, especially if you enjoy science fiction for its spectacular visuals, finesse of all the gadgets it brings to life and the manner in which the characters interact with it all. The film packs a complete punch of thrill, suspense, action, stolen identities and valiant sacrifices. It is involving, engaging and invokes the age-old idea of technological advancement posing a huge threat to mankind. The question the film would leave you with is that amidst the differing views strewn across the spectrum of the debate, where would you find yourself located?

Nano | Short Film of the Day

Nihilists believe that there is no meaning in existence, hence what is the point of anything? Existentialists differ a little from this to claim that indeed there is no meaning in existence, but while we are here, let's make the most of it. Of course this is an over-simplification, but it adequately provides the overlap on which the primary thought of Untitled Earth Sim 64 rests. 

 One day, Marie, the protagonist of the film, begins to notice something very unusual about her reality which begins to take the form of visual glitches around her. Before she can puzzle herself more over the strange developments, a 'researcher''s voice addresses her to reveal that the earth, as we know it, is merely a simulation which is now facing some technical difficulties. The knowledge is sufficient for Marie, as it would be for anyone, to end up spiralling in existential despair once she concludes that her life is no more than a cluster of code.

 It should be noted that the manner in which all of this is delineated is hilarious, and the pacing is right on point with all the punches landing neatly on target. There is further much to be said about the finesse with which the final product is achieved with a lean cast and crew, and a limited budget. The film packs a full blow within its brief narrative with every special effect succeeding at catching the viewer's eye, while maintaining the tautness of the plot throughout. 


In terms of thought, the film does a spectacular job of taking its story forth from the hackneyed philosophical and existential proposition that our entire existence might simply be a simulation, created by an indifferent creator who really has little to no interest in our individual being. Soon, the overarching question that propels the narrative forward, and eventually allows for an uplifting conclusion, becomes - is life truly abominable, even if it's only a simulation? 

If a simulation has begun to exist and expand on its own, creating timeless art, on the one hand, followed by the little joys of a perfect meal, on the other, can things actually be considered too bad? It is precisely in this manner that the film also proves to be strangely uplifting and unexpectedly hopeful. Unless, much like Marie, this is how we choose to give ourself hope in a meaningless existence, but that is indeed up to the viewer to decide - if this sense of hope is bona fide or simply a defence mechanism, or if there is a difference at all between the two to begin with?

Untitled Earth Sim 64 | Short Film of the Month

‘The Circle’ is a beautifully imagined film about the journey of an artist from repetition and mundaneness to something truly pathbreaking. It introduces the viewer to tattoo artist Herman Devyashin who takes us deeper into his struggle of what was once meaningful, inspiring, and almost spiritual in the experience of all these emotions. However, now it is only defined by futility and the emptiness of the whole process. 

Mapping his journey as an artist, Devyashin talks of the pitfalls of pursuing your art, something you deeply love and are entirely devoted to, up to a point where it stops giving the same emotional returns. The metaphor that the film presents by way of the protagonist is that of an unbreakable circle, a train track that haunts Devyashin’s dreams. To break out of this monotony, he now endeavors to employ augmented reality for his next project. This endeavor presents not only an interesting nexus of art and technology but also the promise of an unprecedented feat. 

The film embarks upon an ambitious journey of presenting all of these ideas with authenticity, finally reaching completion with fervor and passion. After opening with the memory of a dream, the narrative goes ahead to create a dreamscape of its own with the most wonderful employment of screenplay, editing, and background score. Alongside a meaningful glimpse into Devyashin’s art, the film's storytelling and artistic prowess are also pronounced in an understated, yet unmissable manner.

The Circle | Short Film of the Day

Nicholas is a man who spends most of his time with his many gadgets. From VR games to smartphones to recording videos for the internet - his days are completely consumed by the many contraptions of technology, and related activities. However, he does indeed seek a connection with another person. Loneliness and the desire for love quietly nestle themselves within the plot. 

Once again, Nicholas turns to technology to solve this problem, signing up for a dating app that will set him up with a potential partner based on a questionnaire he is soon presented with. Humor is woven into the narrative with the absolute contrast between the life Nicholas leads and the one he pretends to lead when faced with these questions. 

In the process, a lighthearted story comes into being, sometimes a little endearing, sometimes heartwarming as Nicholas heads out to meet his date. A crucial message of the film, one about the absolute significance of connections in our lives, is thus presented through what unfolds next. The resultant screenplay, performances, and plot development keep the viewer engaged all along. It would be interesting to develop the film as a longer project in the future, allowing its ideas and intentions better elucidation.

Mimesis | Short Film of the Day

‘Message’ is an entertaining, insightful look in the world of modern love, relationships, and how technology dictates them. Despite the themes and subjects it has set out to deal with, the film’s tone remains effervescent and fun, defined most adroitly by humor. Much of this entertainment and laughs are derived at the cost of the protagonist, and eventually a woman, with whom his path crosses under the most unlikely circumstances. 

Are we too busy swiping left and right on dating apps to truly notice the presence of love when it arrives knocking at our doorstep? The question becomes the starting point of the narrative where the agents of love are tired of the deep infestation of smartphones in our lives, and thus, have decided to take matters into their hands a little too…forcefully, to say the least. 

The protagonist is too preoccupied capturing and documenting life on his phone to actually notice and live it. One day when he loses his phone following a mugging and is forced to look up after frantically chasing his assailants in vain, has he possibly run into the promise of something romantic? The film conjures the idea, and some more, while keeping itself completely devoid of dialogue, and marked by visual development only. Eventually, it indeed presents an answer about the fate of this potential love story, and an inadvertent comment about the most consuming relationship of our lives, those with our phones.

Message | Short Film of the Day

David Crawford is a man on a mission - he is out to comprehend the dynamics of online dating in his investigative documentary. The small (and mostly indifferent) crew consists of a duo of two others - a cameraperson, and a pregnant woman who's simply glad to have received a professional gig despite the pandemic-stricken bleak reality of contemporary times. Now, Crawford a fan of the show Succession, has a vision marked by poetic grandeur, and lofty ambition to achieve it all - but on a budget. As the film progresses, the viewer finds their protagonist to be strange, but entertaining, along with being a combination of endearing and obnoxious at the same time. While he moves from one attempt to shoot his documentary to another, the dissonance between the images in his head and the truth of his lived reality offer the perfect contrast to amuse the viewer. All the punches land efficiently, generating laughter in the most unexpected ways at the expense of our fumbling protagonist. Soon enough the film becomes a conversation with his own aspirations and uncertainties, and less about the subject of online dating as a broader category, and deliberately so, further drawing the viewer's attention to how his idea of the self overwhelms any other understanding that he may have had of the world around him. Additionally, this world around him is also brought to life with ease and conviction, allowing the film to effortlessly achieve all that it has set out to.

Now Time With David Crawford | Short Film of the Day

Jack and Vince have the most unexpected encounter, and the film presents a colorfully entertaining portrayal of the same. Jack’s life revolves around cryptocurrency. He has a loyal following online which hangs on to his every word. He reciprocates their sincerity, but only at first glance until the virtual interaction ends. The reality that thus follows is far from that, though never without humor, a characteristic absurdity, and eccentric details that define the circumstance. The film presents a moment, a brief window into Jack’s life, keeping itself taut and entertaining in its brevity. The visual progression and construction fully support the endeavor, as well as the screenplay. The actors are sharply synchronized and bolster the result. It is definitely a welcome prospect to engage with a longer project or subsequent parts that take us deeper into the world of the characters thus presented.

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