Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films released its latest short
film titled ‘Somoyer Smritimala’ (Memories of Time) today. Directed by Goutam
Ghose, the 35-minute film captures the sense of uncertainty and discomfort
brought on by the lockdown, through the perspective of a couple living in the
heart of Kolkata – Kabir Basu (played by Suman Mukhopadhyay), a writer in his
late 40s, and his wife Sumita (played by Gargee Roy Chowdhury), a teacher.
‘Somoyer Smritimala’ is a poignant film set during the initial phase of
the pandemic’; ‘25th March 2020 – Nationwide Lockdown’, says a frame early in
the film. The film begins with Kabir and Sumita’s quest for fresh air and
sanity as they set out on a road trip to the countryside. Through the course of
their journey, the film travels back and forth in time, capturing the
challenges brought on by the pandemic. From virtual classrooms and eerie
hospitals to mental health concerns and the woes of migrant workers, the short
film throws light on the unprecedented consequences of the Covid-19 outbreak in
a nuanced manner.
Speaking about the short film, filmmaker Goutam Ghose said, “It is
virtually impossible to capture the emotions experienced during the pandemic in
35 minutes. Somoyer Smritimala is an attempt to portray, through the lens of a
couple living in Kolkata, how the world around us changed during the pandemic.
It explores how the pandemic impacted relationships and the human psyche in
mysterious ways. I think the film will strongly resonate with the audience of
Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films.”
Actor Suman Mukhopadhyay shared, “The Royal Stag Barrel Select Large
Short Films platform is popular for the intriguing stories it brings to the
viewers. Somoyer Smritimala is unique in how it unveils the adversities brought
on by the pandemic and consequent lockdowns. My character, Kabir Basu, likes to
read and write about socio-political matters. It’s his creative pursuits and
the everyday moments with his wife that he finds peace in while navigating the
challenges through the lockdowns. It’s been a privilege to work with Goutam
Ghose and be a part of this film.”
Actor Gargee Roy Chowdhury added, “My character, Sumita, who is a
teacher, struggles to cope with the isolation brought on by the pandemic. I
think a lot of viewers will relate to that. But in the end, she finds comfort
in nature. It was surreal revisiting the memories of the pandemic and
portraying the hard times that we have all been through. The short film is led
by two of the most iconic names in filmmaking – Goutam Ghose and Royal Stag
Barrel Select Large Short Films. The experience has been nothing short of
memorable.”
Somoyer Smritimala will premier exclusively on Royal Stag Barrel
Select’s Large Short Films YouTube Channel, a platform to watch the most
original and inspiring short films featuring some of the finest actors and
directors in India.
Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has become ‘the’ destination
for Indian short films where viewers can experience the taste of great films.
The platform has collaborated with successful storytellers from Bollywood who
truly stand for originality and creativity. Large Short Films has evolved to
create an ecosystem for aspiring and established directors alike to bring world
class storytelling to curious and deciphering audiences.
Royal Stag Barrel Select Large Short Films has released some of the
most prodigious and award-winning short films with renowned artists and
directors from the industry which truly reflects originality, imagination and
perfection. Ahalya, Chutney, Devi and Anukul are just some of the phenomenal
films that have been released on this platform. Royal Stag Barrel Select Large
Short Films as a platform for original short films has been the pioneer in
popularizing this genre of filmmaking.
You can watch ‘Somoyer Smritimala’ here:
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