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First, the Recap:
The origination of purpose. As people, we all seek to ascertain what it is we can engage our skills in that will bring ultimate fulfillment. Wishing to experience that sense of direction that is as steady as a compass, in this case one that ideally points a clear way forward, undeviating, steadfast, guiding us truthfully to the places we most need to be. Yet, in a world so filled with distraction and “surface” fascinations, how much more challenging is it to find that path? In the shadow of the big city, a reporter named Shumona (Sneha Paul) searches, it feels, in vain for that which makes not only other individuals happy, but herself as well. Coming to a breaking point, it is a timely, though fully unexpected moment that changes her entire perspective.
Next, my Mind:
Straight to the point without sacrificing the full potential and validity of its grander underlying and primary thematic explorations encompassing who we are, who we should be, and the actions that can lead us down a far more accomplished and rewarding roads to sincere happiness of mind, heart, and soul, this 12-minute short from director Partha Sarathi Manna, writer Ravi Bhushan Kumar, producer Anupam Kher, and executive producer Herman Dsouza hits home with a poignant relevancy that more than deserves to be seen, learned from, and its lessons applied by every human being across the world.
Screened as part of the 2020 ECSA: Escapist Cinema of South Asia online film festival presented by Jingo Media and sister festivals DFW SAFF and NYC SAFF, it is not exaggerating to say such a statement, as all of us traveling this mystery called life can relate to the search for true happiness and understand just how elusive it can be when we are constantly buffeted by the mundane and the shallow, more focused on elements we encounter that, while possibly meaningful, are still fleeting and filled with only a temporary satisfaction that, once faded, leaves us feeling that void within us again.
It is beautifully but also compellingly illustrated in this film’s narrative of one young reporter’s own journey to find the actual joy in life she craves while in the midst of trying to find out what others think is their sources of contentment. Yet in it all, not only is so much of it uninspired, but there’s also the dangers of allowing the disappointments found in momentary “fixes” to then take us to places of heartbreak and loneliness, where then the “answers” we try to adopt in order to cope with it can become even more destructive to everything we are than we might realize until it can be too late.
Again, how the film chooses to portray this inner conflict and volatility within us is superbly executed to have maximum impact, not to cause us intentional despair, but to spur us as the viewer to take stock of our own state of being and let it provide us a glimpse into where our attitudes and actions reside so that if change is needed and a new way is forged, it will be nothing short of illuminating, enriching, and beneficial not only to our own well-being, but also to others’ lives who we may be given the chance to influence and improve, in whatever form that may take on. It is necessary, it is needed, now more than ever.
Paul is so affectingly perfect in delivering this desperately essential message through her role as Shumona, an aspiring big city reporter who’s suddenly coming to realize that not only is the happiness of those she speaks with somehow tainted, uneventful, and unremarkable, but the revealing light it shines on her own missing joy has been made evident, a potent wake-up call. Having to first come to that point of utter brokenness that she might see things more clearly, Shumona’s revelatory instance is once of pure magic, and how it awakens, even rouses, her to transform is touching and wholly believable, thanks again to Paul’s wonderfully emotive yet totally relatable performance.
Supporting turns are made here from Ankit Khera as Shumona’s cameraman Rahul, who we can plainly see has a huge heart for Shumona even as his own directions and demeanor in life are about to be heavily impacted by a single choice he makes, which in turn will have larger ramifications for her, and Ashish Shukla as Shumona’s former flame Ashish, whose run-in with her again is less than ideal for either of them. It also needs to be said that the absolutely enchanting, calmly mesmerizing vocal accompiament found in the film, courtesy of singer/composer Rupsha Mukherjee, greatly adds to the greater whole of this story, it’s emotional depth, with atmospheric and stirring elegance.
We all strive to be happy, or this critic would certainly like to believe this, and there’s never anything wrong with finding joy even in the smallest of things. The notion above about so many of the sources of happiness being shared in the story are mundane isn’t in itself to belittle anything we find brings us ease. It’s more a challenge to simply take a harder look at what we put our value and energy into, often centered on only ourselves, instead of seeing a bigger portrait of a world in need of genuine love, attention, and selfless compassion. Therefore, in total, “The City And A Girl” is a catalyst for this way of thinking that I truly pray catches on and spreads like wildfire, an enlightening, life-giving, REAL happiness-growing story that will prompt kindness and service to one another.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
