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SHORT BUT SWEET (ANUJA & THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA)


ANUJA (Adam J Graves)

It's very easy to overlook the short film categories during awards season but to do so means you miss out on real gems.

Take Adam J Graves' 'Anuja,' for example.

A 22 minute film in Hindi about orphaned sisters looking after each other on the streets of Delhi, it is a surprisingly sweet confection despite its gritty subject matter.

Sajda Pathan is the Anuja of the title, a nine year old worker in a garment sweatshop who sleeps rough with her sister, Ananya Shanbhag's Palak and also happens to be a maths genius.

Summoned to her boss, Nagesh Bhonsle's Mr Verma's office, she watches him resist Gushan Walia's educator Mr Mishra's efforts to have her sit an exam that could open up educational opportunities for her that will lead to a better life.

Palak is also keen for Anuja to grab this opportunity but the kicker is it will cost her 400 rupees to sit the exam.

With Palak hitting on an ingenious scheme to raise the money, will Anuja sit the exam?

Filmed with gritty urgency by Grace's cinematographer Akash Raje, viewers will be reminded of Vittorio da Sica's classic 'Bicycle Thieves' as well as Indian tales like Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali,' Danny Boyle's Oscar winning 'Slumdog Millionaire' and Garth Davis' 'Lion'.

They will be impressed by the performances he has coaxed out of Pathan, Shanbhag and the rest of the cast.

But it is when you realise that the cast is drawn from street children under the care of the Salaam Baalak Trust that you really appreciate its potency and authenticity.

This is a superbly crafted live action short that deserves its place on the Oscar shortlist and will stay with you for some time.

('Anuja' received it's world premiere at the DeadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City on June 8, 2024 and was made available for streaming on Netflix on February 5, 2025)



THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA (Molly O'Brien)

Molly O'Brien's Best Documentary Short Academy Award nominee 'The Only Girl In The Orchestra' is a celebration of an artistic talent that could have easily been overlooked.

Her aunt Orin O'Brien, a double bassist was the first woman to be employed in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Given her break by Leonard Bernstein, the film captures the ending of a 55 year career in the philharmonic and reflects on her influence not just on her students but also on the director herself.

It's a love letter to creativity and those who have the courage to fulfil their artistic dreams.

The film celebrates a woman who withstood sexism but also marvels at her perseverance, selflessness and commitment to her craft and future generations who will take up the double bass bow.

It's a heartwarming 35 minute film well worth its Oscar recognition and even if it doesn't walk away with the top prize, it's a useful reminder that not all heroes hog the limelight.

Sometimes they are an important cog in a much greater and glorious artistic machine quietly going about its business.

('The Only Girl In The Orchestra' premiered at the Vail Film Festival in Colorado on December 9, 2023 and was released on Netflix on December 4, 2024)


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