Title: 'Shadowbox': A Retired Soldier's Descent into Crisis and Its Ripple Effect on a Working-Class Family
Content:
A retired soldier's struggle with PTSD and its impact on his family forms the emotional core of "Shadowbox" ("Baksho Bondi"), set for its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival's Perspectives strand.
Directed by cinematographer Saumyananda Sahi (Oscar-nominated "All That Breathes") and editor Tanushree Das ("Eeb Allay Ooo!"), the Bengali-language film stars acclaimed actress Tillotama Shome ("Sir," "Death in the Gunj") as Maya, a woman juggling multiple jobs while caring for her PTSD-affected husband Sundar (Chandan Bisht) and their teenage son Debu (Sayan Karmakar). When Sundar becomes entangled in a murder investigation, Maya must grapple with societal prejudices and her own past decisions.
"The idea emerged from two sources," Sahi explains. "Tanushree had a vivid dream of her mother collecting clothes before a storm, while I had childhood memories of a friend whose father suffered from delusions. The love and respect my friend had for his father despite his condition struck me, and I wondered about the complexities of their family dynamics."
The project took over a decade to realize, with the filmmakers acknowledging that becoming parents themselves deepened their understanding of the story's emotional depths. "We realized we needed to live through the experience of parenthood to fully grasp it," Das adds.
The film boasts an impressive array of Indian cinema stalwarts as producers, including musician-producer Naren Chandavarkar, documentarian Shaunak Sen, actor Jim Sarbh, filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, and producer-director Nikkhil Advani.
Sahi and Das, leveraging their technical backgrounds, maintained a streamlined pre-production process, spending a year at the shooting location before the 22-day shoot. This allowed them to immerse themselves and develop a deep understanding of the environment and characters.
Bisht, who previously worked with Sahi on the Netflix series "Trial By Fire," was cast for his expressive eyes that hinted at Sundar's inner struggles. Karmakar, a yoga expert, was discovered by casting director Suman Saha and underwent six months of training for his debut role as Debu.
The filmmakers hope the film resonates with audiences and highlights the enduring love and sacrifices that can sustain families through difficult times. "We want to shed light on the invisible women who often go unnoticed but play a pivotal role in our lives," Das says.
Sahi adds, "Ultimately, it's a story of love that perseveres despite adversity. Our hope is not in a happy ending but in the resilience of relationships."
The directorial duo is already planning their next project, but they emphasize the importance of taking their time. "We want to give it the attention and time it deserves," Das notes, indicating their willingness to explore new cultural and linguistic territories.