Expression of Experience

In what could be called an unusual initiative, V Akhil, a budding short film director from Ayancheri near Vadakara has captured the image of his own grandma to uncover the painful isolation that grey hairs experience in the 21st century. Adding further to the whole episode, the grandma, who on screen powerfully conveyed the feeling to the outer world on behalf of her estranged community is no more.
The movie `A Cloud Alone' directed by Akhil has successfully unveiled the isolation geriatrics feel at home when other family members are busy with their personal activities. An ordinary event, a day in the life of an old woman, is portrayed extraordinarily in the film to captivate the minds of any viewer who watch the movie.
``I was very close to my grandmother, Narayani and always tried to understand her feelings. I know, though we loved her generation gap and our busy schedules made her feel isolated,'' said Akhil.
The characters of the film, grandson immersed in games, daughter-in-law engaged in household works and son eagerly reading news paper are in a way isolating the eldest member of the family. The lonely woman even feels that a cat and cow in the house are also neglecting her owing to her age. The old lady at last had to find a company in the cloud that rained her tears.
Akhil's grandma Narayani(old woman) father Kunhiraman (son) and mother Janaki (daughter-in-law) did not really have to act in the film directed by their son, They just had to behave as usual. Akhil's nephew also was made to play the role of the grand child.
``I had captured the moments of loneliness from her life.'' To escape from isolation she used to observe nature, she loved to watch the rain, Akhil recalled.
The success of the film is its originality. As it is a recording of real life at the real place all viewers can identify with the characters of the film. ``When we discussed the story, both Akhil and I felt that it is our story. Then we decided to visualise the 15 minute film at Akhil's House,'' said script writer of the film Biju Puthuppanm.
The years- long friendship of the director and the script writer and the similarity of their experience made it more effective.
While enjoying the film and applauding the director the viewers can understand Akhil's affection for his grandma, but few know the fact that the woman who made it all possible was dead. ``My grandma died a few months back when the film `A Cloud Alone' was being screened in another place,'' Akhil strolled down memory lane with a paining heart.
Akhil with no profession training in camera work or direction had done camera work for another short film Peace Process. As an amateur in film making, he is now working as a freelance photographer in Kozhikode.