Abhiroop Basu’s short film ‘Gudiya’ set for its German premiere

Kolkata boy Abhiroop Basu’s hard-hitting short film ‘Gudiya’ will have its German premiere at the prestigious Braun Schweig International Film Festival. The short will be screened in the ‘DIE HÄLFTE DES HIMMELS’ segment of the film fest, dedicated to women-centric films. The festival will run from November 7 to 13.
In the 9 minute-long film, on the eve of India’s 73rdRepublic Day, a working class woman’s daily routine goes for a toss when she is called to squeeze in an extra shift at work.
When asked why he chose to make this short film, Abhiroop explains, “The impetus for making a film like ‘Gudiya’ originated from a question I asked a middle-aged man in Kolkata's famous Red-Light District, Sonagachhi: "Why do you prefer girls under 14?" To which he replied, "Because they are easy to dominate. The day was 26th January, India's 73rd Republic Day, and a famous patriotic song was playing in the background, while this customer finished his cigarette and went inside. Though I didn't get a glimpse of who he was with, I noticed the big round ears of a tattered teddy bear peeking from the window, as it slammed shut on my face.”
He further adds, “Inspired by the Dogma 95 Movement, ‘Gudiya’ was shot entirely on a handheld iPhone, through which we intruded real spaces, recorded every ambient sound on location and captured raw, unadulterated moving images.”

Sharing his thoughts on the essence of this short Abhiroop said, “In English, “Gudiya” means "Plaything" or "Doll.” In a world diametrically divided between the powerful and the powerless, GUDIYA becomes an identity for those who are on the bottom of the food chain. Meanwhile, the short film aims to hold up a metaphorical mirror to a nation obsessed with a false sense of hyper-nationalism that blinds them in the face of stark reality.”