PURZA (2021) | MANAWZ ASHODIA

Manawz Ashodia's latest short Purza which basically translates to pane reinforces the idea that we humans are basically a part of a machinery, a pane - if you will. But what's fascinating is the way Manawz makes this point. 

Mumblecore is a genre which has basically become a stepping stone for filmmakers in the west but its fairly unexplored in Indian cinema. Manawz does it and does it with conviction. He also mixes a tinge of horror into that and what you get is a film full of engaging conversations if not totally emerging ones. 

For a mumblecore to work it is extremely important to have compelling characters and clever casting and the director gets it almost right. The character of a struggling actor having existential dilemmas is immediately intriguing and Vishal Garg plays it to the gallery with certain chutzpah and freakish. Sadly I can't say the same about Anu Dixit's character who is not bad by any means but her character didn't have that much flesh to chew on. But the scene stellar is third character about whom the less said the better.

What makes this film utterly intresting is the unpredictability of it. The elements of horror has been used quite smartly to keep the audience glued till the end and it even scares you at certain points. The cinematography by Dron Behl is another strength who has given the film the right mood it needed to invite the audience right into it. The corridor sequences are extremely well done and will stay with you even after you're done with it. 

Purza, according to the personal experience is one of those films that works better when watched at night. I mean what's a better time to have existential dread and a fear of unknown. Also a notable thing is that it's a cinephile's film. It wears it's inspirations on its sleeves and will be fun for cinephiles to pick up on them. On the risk of sounding cliche like most Indian critics, I have to admit that I thought this film to be something of a hybrid of Linklater and Lynch, and if you love them and their works you'll love this short as well.

Overall 'Purza' is an interesting short film which marries two genres that can't be any more different with conviction.

Watch the short film here