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First, the Recap:
How does one react when others choose to assign a quality or qualities to you, especially if it leans towards disparaging rather than affirming? Does it throw you into a state of legitimately questioning your worth, your value, not only to yourself, but IN the eyes of others? What occurs within when that particular battle is already being waged in one’s mind? Rani (Meghana Murthy) is a non-binary teenager struggling to truly discover and embrace their identity while seeking solace in the Bharatanatyam dance form. But, when those whom they work with mildly but still pointedly poke fun at them and the person they are and/or desire to become, it unlocks something potentially destructive–or possibly empowering–within them that is wanting to burst out.
Next, my Mind:
It’s a creatively straightforward yet very uniquely intriguing journey of self-identity, fierce personal empowerment and belief, unlocking one’s actual potential, overcoming fear, and standing proud upon the final revelation one arrives at that is given just due over the course of this 9-minute short film that screened as part of the inaugural 2022 Long Island South Asian Film Festival on Saturday November 19th hosted by Jingo Media’s Jitin Hingorani, actor Harbinder Singh, and festival artistic director Ambica Dev. In this current day that is seeing an unprecedented and ever-expanding community of alternative lifestyle and gender identification instances within the populace of this world, there comes with it at least two definitive sides and the associated opinions that manifest–understanding and acceptance or judgement and prejudice. The evidence of this grander fight doesn’t take long to notice when social media and other avenues of making ourselves known are out there in the degree they are, and it is what makes a story like this film portrays even more awareness-raising, evocative, and potent in its deeply individualized approach to the primary theme depicted.
Once again showcasing what can be accomplished in short order, the narrative breezes along with quietly intense intentionality in telling the tale of a young non-binary teenager looking for themselves, who they are, and how they will choose to remain as such in a manner that not only gives them strength but shows the world they aren’t afraid anymore. One specific element that aids the film so consummately is what this critic would refer to as the “dual image” of the lead character we witness throughout the film as their circumstances and anxieties begin to mount, methodically building up a rage, a defiance inside their being wanting to escape and conquer the detractors they’re experiencing yet also represents that burning fire that flares up when we’re faced with a challenge we can’t back down from and wish to prove to others we ARE someone, we ARE worthy, we ARE strong–even though we might initially choose to try and hold it back or push it down instead of releasing it. Visually expanded on through the utilization of a primary Hindu deity’s likeness, it’s undeniably formidable in its connotations for the character and equally engaging for the viewer as you can hardly help but “feel” that same inner force rumbling and waiting to explode.
The culmination of this is expressed in the film’s beautifully, but oh so sadly short (meaning wish it could have continued longer!), choreographed finale that puts an emphatic and lasting impression into your mind as the foundational premise and objective of the film’s base theme is reached, leaving us with a sense of both our own release and that of the lead character’s. As alluded to above, the visual presentation here is actually quite ordinary until it comes to those aforementioned sequences involving Rani’s “visions” where it is a lightly “jarring” set of moments that bring a splash of imagery to us that amplifies the setting and imagery around it along with the employment of a recurring growl that adds a stirring air of underlying menace so apropos to the events at hand. It’s basic on many levels, but this is not remotely a bad thing to me, rather clever and effective filmmaking which gets its points across in an abbreviated timeframe and leaves an indelible mark on you as well. It proves narratives and characters CAN be fleshed out in this brief format, and short film STILL remains one of the most underrated genres in the industry, again, in this critic’s opinion.
Murthy is so unequivocally endearing and yet also an unexpectedly fervent force to be dealt with through her role here as Rani, a teenager and soul simply wishing to no longer be at odds with who they are and have the fortitude to step out through their favorite medium, Bharatanatyam dance, to recognize, uncover, and totally immerse themselves in the identity they covet and yearn to know fully. As they navigate the world around them, Rani must face the chiding and supposedly “harmless” remarks of their coworkers in the midst of the emerging vigor and divine impetus it fills them with to let go and allow that veiled might to ascend and bring them happiness, conviction, and their own distinction. Yes, I will state it yet again because I JUST cannot help it when it comes to character-driven cinema and the method of delivery in acting that is represented SO well in indie film–Murthy deftly embodies the understated control and then fiery passion that allows us to tangibly experience the emotional journey her character. A solid job without doubt.
Primary supporting turns are made by Qurrat Ann Kadwani, Uma Paranjpe, and Indika Senanayake as Rani’s co-workers at the salon they all find employment at, Gita Rash as an apparent long-standing customer who is one of the voices trying to “encourage” Rani to change themselves, and Aparna Shankar as the key facet of the narrative that brings to life Rani’s inward turmoil that’s trying to come out and make itself known. So, in total, “Beast” is a wonderfully written, finely crafted indie short film effort that projects its designs and aspirations onto the screen with both narrative and visual depth, ideally inspiring us to know ourselves, the realities around us, and to stand our ground when it comes to what we want to pursue, see it through, and BE that influential entity that causes others to do the same. Because if we DON’T take action to BE who we are, hence never even acknowledging our importance as a human being and what we can bring to the table, then THAT would be a beast of a totally different and more detrimental color and nature.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
