When Tim Burton was asked in 2012 why he was remaking his live-action film from 30 years ago, Frankenweenie, about a boy who resurrects his pet dog, into stop motion animation, the director said, “Because I want a better performance from the dog!”
Stop motion or animation is one of the best tools any filmmaker can make use of to covey a particular story using inanimate objects or animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhRM23EizwM
Written and conceptualized by Vinnie Ann Bose as her thesis film, from her time at The National Institute of Design, ‘What Is Your Brown Number’ is a result of the incubation initiative hosted by Indian animation mainstay Studio Eeksaurus. It points to the absurdity and the invalidity of a notion that exists in our society and some of the beliefs that exist in our society. Is fairness always a better thing and how we are conditioned to believe that a lighter complexion is a better fad?
‘What is Your Brown Number’ is such a relevant short film that can highlight how fairness and the colour of skin tones dictate a large part of not only the Indian society but many other societies as well. The story begins with how a large family is waiting outside a hospital delivery room and awaiting the arrival of a newborn baby. News of a baby boy soon arrives but to everyone’s astonishment, this very same joy turns into horror when they find out the skin tone of the baby- Brown Number 80 on the fairness scale.
The film, which was conceived in 2015 as part of Vinnie’s graduation project while she was studying in NID, Ahmedabad contains a montage of disquieting encounters that we have all come across in daily life. An unemployed man prays to God in hope of becoming fairer which in turn will lead to success (in his eyes). A mother has a mental breakdown of the slim prospects of marriage her dusky-brown daughter has.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qKYrajRNwo
Taking eight years to complete, Tokri the one-stop motion short by Suresh Eriyat and his production company Studio Eeksaurus examines the close relationship between a father and his daughter and the wrenching story of a family, mistakes and forgiveness.
Revolving around how a young daughter attempts to remedy breaking a precious heirloom by weaving and selling baskets on the busy streets of Mumbai. This Claymation is not only entertaining to watch but portrays the satire of everyday life. Tokri has been inspired by Eriyat’s personal experience after he dismissed a young child who had approached him at a traffic signal. As he drove off, he was hit with guilt, wondering what circumstance made the little girl sell baskets, and what if his brashness had done little but drag her situation for longer,” a statement from the studio says.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k66RMXPodzE
“For the details of the ambience, we photographed various little shops on the streets for references, as well as interiors of slum houses,” the studio said. “We tried to get every detail right, from the props inside the house to the model and make of the automobiles on the road.”
The Studio Eeksaurus is headed by both Suresh and Nilima Eriyat, the company’s executive producer. The short film, Tokri has a wonderfully intricate landscape of the colourful and bustling city. Every minute detail has been paid attention to, right from the folded fabrics on the shelf, the pots and pans, characters' costumes and individual hairs.
Behind The Scenes of Tokri: Faces of Tokri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IaT9tTBofI
It is the nuances of the movement and facial expressions of the characters which add a sense of realism and make the characters feel human. You will automatically feel a sense of empathy as you will be able to instantly relate to the film’s story.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugjlQJDNfNQ
Pravasi - The migrant (Punjabi)
It is hard to capture strong emotions in films, but this is exactly what Director Vevek Upadyayhas managed to do in his short film, Pravasi: A Migrant’s Tale. After the lockdown in India, there were thousands of migrant workers who were forced to walk to their homes in remote areas from different parts of the country, when the lockdown is announced by the government to curb the growing cases of the coronavirus.
Many migrant workers were under the heavy burden of earning money and the pressure to feed their children.
Talking to india.com in an interview recently, Vivek mentioned that his film resonates with the pain and challenges that a regular migrant worker faced during the entire phase. “It wasn’t easy for anyone. Those who survived that time are either fortunate or privileged. India is such a diverse country that any change affects every section of people.
Migrant workers were the worst affected by the lockdown. Every time we think about that time, those helpless faces walking miles with their families start flashing in front of our eyes. I took up the issue because it touched my heart and also I thought that people will take the time to make a full-fledged film on it. Making a short film and releasing it on OTT was the best option. I am glad I could contribute to a purpose.” It is one of the first films to comment on the plea of migrant labours. It’s currently streaming on Disney + Hotstar.
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