Personally speaking, I like the whole concept of a short film, as we humans have a short attention span. The USPs of a good short film are that it is concise, conveys a message, and keeps the audience engaged. If you enjoy discovering hidden cinematic gems, check out these Malayalam short films, which provide a noble message, an engaging storyline, and a fine work of art.
Regional content is on the rise on streaming platforms. I believe we have an excellent opportunity to do so. So here is a list of must-see Malayalam short films:
The plot revolves around the bond between a kid with Down Syndrome and his younger brother. The fact that the actor who played the character with Down Syndrome actually had it, is what piqued my interest.?Thirike is presumably the first Malayalam movie to involve a lead role played by an actor with Down syndrome.
Sam Xavier is the co-director as well as the main character. He plays Thoma, the younger brother who is separated from his older brother Sebu as a child. They both grew up in an orphanage, and Sebu, the older brother, is adopted. Thoma is abandoned at the orphanage. Every year on Sebu's birthday, Sebu's adoptive parents allow the brothers to meet. However, Sebu's parents decide to take him to Dubai for a better life. The anxiety of being separated from his older brother, Thoma kidnaps Sebu. In the hope that they won't be separated again.
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The story of this short film reflects the troubled times. The 13-minute short film is worth watching as it captures the essence of lockdown and how it turned the world upside down for many.
The plot of QuarantinE revolves around the story of an artist who is all alone with his colours due to lockdown. He believes that the colours have been removed from his life. Can you imagine a world devoid of colour? It would be a blank world for us but think about it from the perspective of an artist.
He misses the chaos of his art classes during the lockdown. He is grieving not only for his profession but also for the loss of close family members. He uses his colours to try to stay hopeful.
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?(Warning: This short film contains topics about suicide and mental illness which maybe triggering for some people)
This short film illustrates the effects of cyberbullying. Inspired by a real life story, the film is about the suicide of Dr Anoop Krishna in 2020, a Kollam-based surgeon who was a victim of cyberbullying.
The plot focuses on the two main characters in the story Prayaga Martin and Nithin Prasanna. What appears to be a random call from an incorrect number suddenly turns into a game, accompanied by one disturbing ending.
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The story of a housewife named Chandra is told in 29 minutes. She is a frustrated soul who exposes her father Das regarding her temptation for sexual freedom. She furthermore goes on to expose some scandalous ideas concerning sexual liberation.
Freedom at Midnight is a short film that depicts the harsh reality of emotions that a housewife may experience. The film addresses controversial topics to which women can relate. It was well-narrated, and has fabulous performances.
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The short film is a love story between two women, with the main objective of striking up a conversation and legitimising homosexuality. It has been a huge success since its release, with over one million views.
The story follows the journey of a relationship, such as falling in love for the first time, your first romance, your first argument, the possessiveness that comes with being in love, and the phase of falling out of love. The director believes that Malayalam mainstream cinema portrays the LGBTQIA+ community in a negative light, and she wishes to normalise the concept of love as love regardless of gender.
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The film was directed and scripted by Aaryan Krishna and produced by the trio Ramachandran Kiyyath, Bader and Chandra.
The Malayalam short film Burn My Body is about a man's irresistible urge for a woman. This short film shows that a woman is not truly safe in her community or at home, where she should be the most vigilant.
The story begins with the woman in her house being subjected to sexual harassment. The film is quite tense and serious. This film serves as a reminder to open our ears to hear the call of poor women who have been exploited or sexually assaulted around us.
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The story is about parenthood and how parents will go to any length to make their children happy. The plot revolves around the protagonist, Santosh, who comes from a low-income family and feels insecure due to his stammering. He wishes to provide a better life for his daughter, Aishwarya, and to enrol her in an English medium school. He is compelled to accept a job which he thinks would be demeaning to his family.
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The story revolves around a young girl, Panchami, who is highly self-conscious about her looks. The director intended to show the film from the perspective of the protagonist. That demonstrates how she feels about her dark skin and not being comfortable in her skin due to societal expectations of beauty.
He explained why he chose the name Kaakka, which means Crow. He stated that the crow is not a metaphor for people with dark skin. Instead, it's a metaphor for her personality in terms of how she perceives herself to be invisible to others, similar to how birds perceive themselves to be hidden from the world.
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It's a film about attempting to break patriarchal behaviour. Kochurani, the newlywed, is taken aback by her in-laws' patriarchal behaviour.?She is shocked to see her mother-in-law and sister-in-law accept the men's angry outbursts and irrational rage at even the most minor inconvenience. That's when she decides to take the initiative and imitate the men's angry behaviour.
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A heartfelt love story is the highlight of this short film, which sends a message to a society that is too preoccupied with caste, creed, or even good looks. Love is about triumphing in the face of adversity. This film conveys a beautiful message: love is more than just appearances. Sreerekha's lyrics, composed by Kailas Memon, add to the charm.
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Fun fact: the short film was also shortlisted for an Oscar nomination.?
This short film's plot is based on a fictional character, acclaimed painter Vincent Van Gogh. The theme of this film delves into the last five minutes of his life, during which he recalls himself as a failure throughout his life. Death, who has come to take his soul, tends to make him an offer, which the painter turns down and decides to accept Death's hand.
(To?read more such stories related to movies and shows released on OTTs, keep reading?Indiatimes BINGE)