WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The art of human interaction and the determination of one’s worth. The contemporary age we reside within speaks solely to us through the medium of technology–computers and cell phones, data and texts–rather than via the connectedness once discovered and enjoyed when engaging in face to face conversation. Likewise, our entire experience of how we see “classes” of people is reduced to Wikipedia and Twitter, instead of weighing the measure of someone in person. Therefore, what does it mean to truly be among the ocean of humanity again? To reason with, to speak to and realize that “class” and intelligence, a worthiness to befriend, and the need to recognize the spirit and heart of someone are easier gaps to bridge than we recall–or even consider pursuing.
The sounds of an Indian Railways train echo with the relentless consistency of wheels against rails, the always familiar “click clack” of seams being struck and passed over accompanying the blare of its signal horn and the rushing wind as the engine and attached cars hurtle forward. Inside, there is a section known as being for The Unreserved, those too poor to travel in “higher classes” or afford more expensive fares. It’s the “cheap seats”, packed to virtually overflowing, every inch of space occupied with those seeking the least costly way across India to their destinations. Yet, found here are the most heartfelt, genuine, real dreams, stories, struggles, laughs, opinions, and pictures of life that make up what it is to simply be–man, woman, & child–a human being.
Next, my Mind:
It’s a relentless exposure speaking to a need for radical change in thinking combined with absolute, endearing, and beautifully grounded tales immersed within an unfolding, often enigmatic, thing we call life and the sea of humanity which makes it up that thematically dominates this highly impactful 60-minute documentary short film from director Samarth Mahajan. Taking us on an expansive, heartfelt, and revealing journey spanning seventeen straight days and what amounts to over forty-one thousand miles of “track time” on the country-encompassing Indian Railway, we are treated to what it means to be a passenger in the hugely crowded “unreserved” cars, where those who don’t have the luxury of more expensive accommodations reside, willing to be amidst one of the most diverse cross-sections of India’s people for hours, even days perhaps, just to gain access to a myriad of destinations the rails offer, all the while giving people a chance to do something that has become an almost societally and culturally endangered means of communication between us–casual, spoken, meaningful, and **gasp!!** enjoyable conversation. Face to face, sometimes blunt, other times restrained, but always filled with the reality of what this existence entails, far transcending notions of “class” or “rich and poor” in leaps and bounds, the dynamically changing landscapes of India rush by as narratives involving young lovers, politics, film, culture conflicts, music, careers, cricket, stresses, joys, and, most importantly, aspirations all flow out with fluid and unceasing ease.
It’s both a cacophony and a symphony, a verbal war yet a peaceful engagement, plus a willing divulgence of actuality that is so deftly and stirringly put together via the varied interviews the filmmakers seek out and create with a just as varied group of random travelers encountered who share their lives with conviction and matter-of-fact truths that cause us as the viewer to laugh, cry, and simply relate so deeply to each and every one of them. Visually, the film is shot in very cramped, close-quarter proximity to those whom the filmmakers choose to interact with, yet this becomes so overtly effective in not just giving us the perspective of what it means to be consigned to the “cheap seats” on the Indian Railway system, but it provides a vivid picture of being that close to other people that we seem to so desperately shy away from in today’s world. That inclination of staying to ourselves, not wanting to get involved with other individual’s misperceived “issues”, is totally, forcibly, and intentionally done away with in this scenario, and it becomes the most amazing vantage point for us to be taken to when listening to these perfectly normal people orate about friendship vs. brotherhood, a 14-year old daughter’s battle with a brain tumor, a choice about family while fighting the strains of diabetes, debates about dowries, or heartrending admissions about domestic abuse. It doesn’t remotely stop there, but it delivers a brief snapshot of the day to day life we as people strive to endure and persevere in that we may find the seemingly elusive goal of true happiness and solace with ourselves and our fellow inhabitants of the world we’ve been provided to call home.
To hear and witness this exploration of the human condition through the medium of not just film, but of uncomplicated, welcome interaction, it paints a moving portrait of how, in so many ways, it should be in this society worldwide when it comes to how we see and treat one another. Does it mean we will all be best friends? Of course not. Does it mean we would all agree on everything? Not at all. But it does illustrate that no matter what walk of life we might find ourselves a part of, it should never be so exclusive so as not to acknowledge another person when opportunity presents itself, take interest in even the most brief of dialogues or the most in-depth of discussion, and realize that money shouldn’t dictate worth or cause a separation that gives us a false illusion of superiority over anyone else. Perhaps one day, the Indian Railway will no longer have an “unreserved” section, as people will travel together no matter what their “status”, and maybe we’ll see a resurgence of basic appreciation for other human beings to the extent where even just smiling and saying “Hi!” to a total stranger on a crowded train, or sidewalk, or business, or store, et al. will no longer be such a faux pas. In total, “The Unreserved” is a necessary film that so rawly but with affecting precision showcases not just the demand and necessity of societal refashioning, reconstructing, and viable transformation, but also opens our eyes to comprehend and be reminded that when we view a sea of humanity out there, we’re seeing the heart and soul of our nations, of our world.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
