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First, the Recap:
Supporting potential. Seeing what another is capable of, even if they themselves try to downplay the importance of skills possessed, is something to be explored, nurtured, made known, and reactively pursued to ensure they have the opportunities to showcase and excel their talents. This magnitude OF positive reinforcement, more so when said chances to gain an avenue to a better life are present, is also something that isn’t followed through on enough, as it requires a selflessness that the world, sadly, sees as a total mystery. But–THAT should NOT stop it from happening. In Delhi, 9-year old orphan Anuja (Sajda Pathan) has forsaken her schooling to do factory work with her older sister Palak (Ananya Shanbhag). But, when a visit from a local teacher Mr. Mishra (Gulshan Walia) offers a complete change of direction for her, can Palak convince and aid her gifted sibling to take a leap of faith that could alter all of their futures forever?
Next, my Mind:
“I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside. Give them a sense of pride to make it easier. Let the children’s laughter remind us of how we used to be.” One of the most classic and recognizable opening verses from an equally classic song, ‘The Greatest Love Of All”, made internationally famous by the late Whitney Houston, it alone speaks a truth we should strive to not only accept, but wholly acknowledge, cultivate, sustain, and see flourish–because it IS a fact stated within those lyrics that gets very sadly, tragically, lost to apathy and ignorance when the world seems too daunting to be concerned about the welfare of anyone outside of ourselves. Candidly poignant yet achingly revealing, beautifully charming yet firmly provocative, purposefully challenging yet ultimately inspiring, this 22-minute short film from writer/director/editor Adam J. Graves, producers Suchitra Mattai, Ksheetij Saini, Krushan Naik (who also aided in editing), Michael Graves (who also served as an EP), Aaron Kopp, and Devananda Graves, plus executive producers Alexandra Blaney, Albie Hecht, and Susan MacLaury intensively conveys this aforementioned notion above while illustrating the deeply relevant existence of those who WANT to HELP children ACHIEVE their aspirations.
With screenings to be showcased as an official selection of the 20th Anniversary HollyShorts Film Festival, which runs August 8th-18th at the renowned TCL Chinese Theater, Los Angeles, the narrative presented here follows a 9-year old orphan girl in Delhi, India who has sacrificed her current schooling for the sake of helping provide for herself and her older sister via working at a garment factory only to have it revealed she’s much more than she might appear and that opportunity for a better future is opening up for her. The film’s foundational thematic foray exploring CHOICE in the face of a life-altering decision is carried off adeptly, intelligently, engagingly, and with the emotional force of a tsunami, absconding with both our heads and hearts as it sweeps us away in the sheer momentum of its intent and a story which encompasses not just societal/cultural issues, but does so in order to elicit us as the viewer to consider the grander impact it implies for the youth of the world’s entirety, WHY they NEED the degrees of encouragement and freedom TO choose a more ambitious but fulfilling path, AND be aided by those closest to them as well.
Now, what I treasure as a critic about this story is how it doesn’t MAKE this decision an easy one to embark upon, as the situational elements involved allow it to take forays into additional themes of familial obligation, the bonds of sisterhood, our stubbornness to accept change in what we’re comfortable with, promises to be kept or broken, the lengths those we love will go to aid us towards our betterment, and the persistence of others who also wish to help all get screen time here. However, there are the specters of patriarchal mindsets and actions, child labor, and even possibly child abuse that are also ventured into as well, and the combination of these factors, whether soberingly weighty or fully magnificent, form a cornerstone message that then leads to the film’s finale that is nothing short of cleverly unexpected and unabashedly wondrous in its implications and, well, finality. Again, the sheer necessity to see children have the CHANCE to grow and thrive beyond their initial means through those wanting to see this occur is paramount to remember and contemplate, ideally perhaps to spur US to action as well should we find the way to do so.
I am currently running out of ways (or maybe actually HAVE at this point!) to word and/or express my adoration and total amazement at the talents displayed by child actors within the indie film ranks that I’ve witnessed. Now, I am in need to support this concept once again in lauding the performance given here by Pathan in her title role as Anuja, a strong-willed and highly intelligent young girl whose found her way as an orphan via now assisting her elder sister by working at the same garment factory to make ends meet. However, when it is made clear that Anuja’s skills far exceed the station she’s been raised in, those who wish to assist her in pursuing a valued opportunity, including her sister, begin to take steps to see Anuja make a hard choice to become the better for it. How this perceived and real pressure is confronted by her becomes the gist of her story, and watching Pathan guide the character through a storm of circumstances associated with the choice she must make on top of the elation and trepidation she feels being with her sister and the thought of their separation is just magical, energetic, affecting, and heartbreakingly genuine.
Primary supporting roles first arrive from Shanbhag as Anuja’s older sister Palak, a young woman herself who has aspirations yet also an acceptance of where she is and will be in society and therefore becomes a stalwart catalyst in making every effort she can to help her beloved sibling achieve something greater. The deep connection between the siblings is so wonderful to see, and that’s also a credit to how Palak deftly plays off of Pathan throughout their character’s interactions. Gulshan Walia plays Mr. Mishra, a teacher from a well-established boarding school who comes calling at the garment factory to offer Anuja the chance of her lifetime. Nagesh Bhonsle is Mr. Verma, the factory’s head boss who’s more than a self-serving and quite frankly despicable human being who tries his unscrupulous best to be an obstacle to Anuja’s leaving. Additional turns are present from Sushil Parwana, Sunita Bhadauria, Rudolfo Rajeev Hubert, Jugal Kishore, and Pankaj Gupta.
So, in total, “Anuja” stands as a fervently impassioned rallying cry to the world for us to stand up, take notice, and be of the most astute, intentional, and noteworthy assistance through being a part of seeing children EVERYWHERE realize their dreams, excel in their abilities, and to make their mark in a manner that SHOULD truly BE the reminder of what the song above stated in the last line of the verse–allowing their laughter, joy, and SUCCESS cause US to go back to the impeccability, determination, resilience, and eagerness of youth. Let’s get out there and help facilitate it to see humanity made the better for it.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
