“Dialog” explores the streets of Mumbai, from the people to the scenery and the art inspired by the region. The film is accompanied by an original track which uses samples that coincide with the busy streets. The concept was inspired by the quote from Plato “Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul”, offering a portrait of the people to a beat inspired by their lives.
“Dialog” is most notable in its visual presentation, bombarding the viewer with a mix of footage, animation and varied cinematography through the vibrant use of color and various camera techniques. In the hands of someone with a less defined creative vision, the production would have come across as a muddled mess. However, all the transitions are executed well, and none of the absurd imagery contradicts the goal of romanticizing the streets of Mumbai. Ultimately, the film's visuals are constructed in such a way that injects charm into every scene, and deserves multiple views.
The film's score, an original composition, does offer up a unique sound, in the form of using samples to create a soundscape, and although sample based music is not unique, the combination with accompanying imagery certainly is. However, the track does not stand on its own, and without visual aid it is rather repetitive and obnoxious. This creates a degree of conflict, as those who enjoy this kind of music will have an instant distaste for the song. Ultimately, paired with the visuals, the two meld together in a harmonious fashion that shows an attentiveness towards syncing audio and visual.
“Dialog” becomes difficult to critique as a short film, given the sporadic imagery and music takes precedent over narrative. The project would be better categorized as a music video, although it does also give an impression of a demo reel geared towards finding commercial work, as it showcases a wide range of techniques. Unfortunately, after watching “Dialog” I did come to the conclusion that it is not a good ‘film' in the traditional sense. However, when looking at the amount of visual flair, edited together in such a glorious and eccentric fashion, I can still offer high praise in saying that Souvik Chakaboty crafted a cool and unique 2 minute experience.
