“Nirbaak' is an experimental short film based on a child who bound himself in a sphere of solitude for some of his congenital inability. Whatever he perceives in front of his eyes he tries to express with gestures. Often he lays his heart bare to the creation and among the critters want ants to be his mates as he is in bosom touch with 'em. Do they accept him as friend? Does the lad came out of solitude amidst this milieu of turmoil?”
“Smile of the Mask” review is part of the Submit Your Film Initiative
Attempting to tell the story of someone with a disability can be a difficult task, particularly when the subject of the film itself is presented as a mute that lives within their own head. However, directors Sneha Karar & Souranil Singha manage to explore the world of another through looking at the obsession with the sounds and the environment, playing the two against each other to give a convincing portrait of a troubled youth. As a concept, the short excels in using an experimental approach in bringing humanity to its subject, yet, beyond this accomplishment the film falters entirely.
Presentation wise, the production is a bit of a mess with a varied visual approach and garbled audio design. Credited with three cinematographers for an 11 minute short, possibly, explains the lack of cohesiveness. The flow and framing are awkward, with scenes feeling disjointed and shot at unflattering angles. Further mudding the creative pool, the inclusion of two directors and a child actor make for a tumultuous dynamic and is not a situation for a crew to try to ‘cut their teeth' by. The production, which is simple in premise, would have benefited from a minimal crew that could capture the intimacy required for a project of this ilk. As it stands, “Nirbaak” is a shining example how too many people involved to create can muddle the creative vision.
Despite its amateur and cluttered delivery, “Nirbaak” manages to propose an interesting premise for exploring the world through the experiences of someone living with a disability. It is a touching story expressed with minimal dialogue, as an experimental narrative, the work does succeed in occupying a unique space that some may appreciate – with some visual flair it could be a powerful short film. Sadly, in its current form it is not the powerful statement that the creative team tries to project.
It is difficult to point to where the film falters with a multitude of names attached to such a small project. On the other hand, there is no way to determine where any potential lies or get excited by the prospect of future projects. Overall, the title's lack of identity combined with the poor production values makes this a frustrating experience – refinement of the artistic vision is desperately lacking.
