Winter in the year in 1979. Our story follows a young man (Shutu) on a road trip with his family. He is a painfully shy young adult. A regular trip with his family leads to his life falling apart. A story of transitioning into adulthood. Shutu is played by Vikrant Massey.
A reflection of the family dynamics in the midst of a vacation where everyone is in close quarters whether they like it or not.
Vikrant does a great job of leading us on the journey of emotions of the life and mind of Shutu. He is the quiet, reflective introverted type while his family is loud and weird.
Shutu has a conflict of identity and is in the search of what masculinity is for him. He struggles with navigating his life and the societal norms. Shutu begins to debate the importance of his part in his family and in society at large.
His family is very dysfunctional and isn’t supportive of him in any way or form. They are harsh, and inflicting with their words even to the point of emotional and verbal abuse. These words are especially geared toward Shutu by his male relatives. These behaviors from Shutu’s family lead him to withdraw and feel totally alone. Even though, he is with his family.
Shutu does relate to one person however. He is close with his young cousin. Other than that, he feels all alone and like he had no one on his side.
Eventually, everything catches up to Shutu the insults the mean pokes and he has a breakdown.
The film is a deep look into everyday how we individually treat though in our immediate sphere. As well as the society’s negative input even on a daily basis how it does affect others even to the point of harming their life not just emotions and well-being.
This is a dark, depressing, moody, and melancholia filled film. It certainly captures what our lead Shutu goes through. The mask of trying to but on a brave face when everything seems to be overwhelming and the last things you want to do it be with people.
One of the most the anticipated Indian movies of the summer. It has already received great reviews since just coming out.
This is Konkona Sen Sharma’s directorial debut. She already has had a great acting career.
It was filmed in McCluskiegani in Jharkhand. Many of the families there are of mixed culture. Predominately, the families there migrated from Kolkata and other countries making this is a diverse community. Our film “A Death In The Gunj” is based about a true story and a death in McCluskieganj.
The film is also written and based somewhat on the director’s childhood and her experiences growing up.
“A Death in the Gunj” has been featured in many film festivals as well.
Film Details:
Genre: Bollywood, Hindi, Drama, Thriller, Suspense, Period Drama
Cast: Vikrant Massey, Tillotama Shome, Gulshan Devaiah, Om Puri, Kalki Koechlin, Ravir Shorey, Tanuja, Jim Sarbh
Director: Konkona Sen Sharma
Writer/Screenplay: Konkona Sen Sharma (screenplay), with Story by Mukul Sharma
Producers: Ashish Bhatnagar, Vijay Kumar Swami, Raagi Bhatnagar, Honey Trehan, Abhiskek Chaubey, Neil Patel
Production Company: MacGuffin Picutres, Studioz IDrream, Moh Maya Films
Movie Run-time: 110 minutes
Release Date: June 2nd, 2017