How much must one be pained to decide to end his line with his death, leaving no one behind? How much burden must one bear to decide against creating progeny, because they might just suffer in the same way?
A lot indeed!
Chhotoder Chhobi (translated 'A Picture about the Little Ones' or aptly enough 'A Short Story') deals with the unconventional topic of dwarfism and its impact on the lives of people suffering from this genetic disorder. It shows how they are forced to live a secluded society, often treated with inequality, amusement and unsolicited sympathy by the bigger crowd. It shows how they are forced to live within the circles of 'traditional jobs', often having to struggle their way up even for the most usual things.
"Now it is illegal to show animals in the circus. So people come to see us. We are the animals.." says the protagonist Khoka who works as a clown ('joker' as is commonly called in India) in a circus. Like his fellow 'jokers' he also gets paid a pittance, and forced to run errands for the master besides regular work.
As events turn, Khoka meets Soma, also a dwarf, with whom he starts weaving dreams of a family, only to realize Soma has decided not to have family or children because she does not want her future generations to suffer the same ostracism and social hardship that she and her fellow dwarfs are forced to endure. The movie however ends in a happier note with both agreeing to live as friends, caring for each other.
The strength of the movie is its story and its portrayal of the lives of dwarfs in the Bengali society; with utter sincerity and realism. The production quality is excellent and acting by the lesser known actors (and I feel most of them are probably non professionals) is unexpectedly fluid and natural. Kaushik Ganguly is one of the few Bengali movie makers from whom I have developed great expectations and he has lived up to his mark once again.
A excellent movie and food for thought.
A lot indeed!
Chhotoder Chhobi (translated 'A Picture about the Little Ones' or aptly enough 'A Short Story') deals with the unconventional topic of dwarfism and its impact on the lives of people suffering from this genetic disorder. It shows how they are forced to live a secluded society, often treated with inequality, amusement and unsolicited sympathy by the bigger crowd. It shows how they are forced to live within the circles of 'traditional jobs', often having to struggle their way up even for the most usual things.
"Now it is illegal to show animals in the circus. So people come to see us. We are the animals.." says the protagonist Khoka who works as a clown ('joker' as is commonly called in India) in a circus. Like his fellow 'jokers' he also gets paid a pittance, and forced to run errands for the master besides regular work.
As events turn, Khoka meets Soma, also a dwarf, with whom he starts weaving dreams of a family, only to realize Soma has decided not to have family or children because she does not want her future generations to suffer the same ostracism and social hardship that she and her fellow dwarfs are forced to endure. The movie however ends in a happier note with both agreeing to live as friends, caring for each other.
The strength of the movie is its story and its portrayal of the lives of dwarfs in the Bengali society; with utter sincerity and realism. The production quality is excellent and acting by the lesser known actors (and I feel most of them are probably non professionals) is unexpectedly fluid and natural. Kaushik Ganguly is one of the few Bengali movie makers from whom I have developed great expectations and he has lived up to his mark once again.
A excellent movie and food for thought.
