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Short Film Review: Bod Jaat (The Out Cast) (2020) by Saurav Bhadra

“A man who belongs to the minority section of a village is utterly disturbed, petrified, and depressed by the situation of terror that prevails around him and his family due to the violence between the majority and the minority section of the society. His fear makes him question his own identity and prognosticate the future that throws him and his family into a disturbing profusion of unanswered questions about their own existence. The story is about how he is drawn at the edge of his patience and angst where he faces his fate and how he poetically reciprocates.”

“Bod Jat” offers a horrifying look at the disparity created within the caste system which sees many living in dangerous roles dictated to them by the system. In approaching the subject, director is able to create a film full of unease and dread in looking at a familiy's struggle. Consequently, the short gives a rather perturbing vision of what suffering under the social construct looks like.

This is likely to leave a strong impact on viewers, even those unfamiliar with the system, as the theme of a generalized oppression is well explored in the narrative. Additionally, it can be said that the feeling of living in an oppressed society has come to the forefront of the collective conscience in 2020, making it a film that also feels apt for the times and current global sentiments. Ultimately, the narrative offers a fair amount of intrigue in both the caste system while still able to maintain a global appeal through focusing on the emotional impact of the situation.

The performances are somewhat marred by their boisterous delivery, which feels more reminiscent of a theatrical play. As a result, the lines seem over delivered in both the characters' words and mannerisms as if projecting to a large audience. Unfortunately, this aspect can become distracting in scenes which ask the audience for a sympathetic/empathetic response.

The cinematography is mostly serviceable to the production, with a lot of scenes framed to also reflect a more theatrical approach. However, there are a few notable sequences that leave a strong visual impression and really define the potential of Saurav Bhadra as a visual story teller. To be vague and avoid spoilers, the first uses an encroaching darkness to frame fear and impending dread from an external source. The second sequence, pulled off with a drone, transitions from pulling out to show a chaotic landscape to a descending pan from the sky to reveal a woman giving birth. This closing sequence offers a strong allegory for the sentiments reflected in the production and acts as a prefect visual presentation.

The audio score sees a bit more consistency in quality, complimenting the score through atmospheric noise and light music. As a result, the score often sinks into the background only to crescendo at key moments to elevate the emotional response from performers or a particular sequence. Ultimately, this helps tone down the overly projected dialogue of its subjects and creates an engaging audio experience.

“Bod Jaat” is a film that can be rough around the edges, tripping up in a few places that keeps it from excelling. However, there are truly great moments within the production that turn it into an enjoyable experience, and good reason to keep an eye on Saurav Bhadra.

About the author

Adam Symchuk

Adam Symchuk is a Canadian born freelance writer and editor who has been writing for Asian Movie Pulse since 2018. He is currently focused on covering manga, manhwa and light novels having reviewed hundreds of titles in the past two years.

His love of film came from horror and exploitation films from Japan that he devoured in his teens. His love of comics came from falling in love with the works of Shuzo Oshimi, Junji Ito, Hideshi Hino, and Inio Asano but has expanded to a general love of the medium and all its genres.

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