Bringing to light the trials and tribulations faced by
people with the European dream, Aftab Khan Farooqui and his skilled crew have
put together a short film that touches upon many things ‘truly Goan’.
At this year’s edition of IFFI, a sum total of three films
from Goa have been selected to be screened. These were selected by a jury from
a sum total of seven films and will be screened under the Goa section at what
is the 45th edition of IFFI.The three include two short films in the form
ofAftab Khan Farooqui’s creation, ‘Paklo’ and ‘Niragas’ by AshishNagvenkar, as
well as a feature film titled ‘In Search of Mother’ by RamprasadAdpaikar. But
it is on Farooqui’s work that we primarily touch upon. Through Paklo’s
narrative, the filmmaker has beautifully depicted the ‘issue’ of Portuguese
citizenship and Goans asking to have the right to keep dual passports.
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“Through the film, the viewer is led through the very veins
of India and its larger than life characters. This is summed up by finally
settling into the charming squares and coast of Portugal where a once
‘world-shy’ young man opens the windows of his soul to the views of Europe and
the rest of the world,” Farooqui states emphatically.
The short film, that is very intelligently narrated,recounts
the travails of a young man raised in a village, whose wish is to leave India
and immigrate to Europe. The various scenes from the movie aim at depictinghis
journey through the government offices in Goa which eventually launch him onto
the streets of the world.This is, in turn portrayed through the colour and
humour of India in areas of Goa that seem like the shadow of Portugal.
Speaking on the aim and angle of the film, Farooqui explains
“Dedicated to the former Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, this film made by
the people of Goa throws cinematic light on a subject that is considerably
prevalent at this juncture. The film takes the face of a mind opening
documentary told through the life of a young ambitious Goan man. With footage
that is culturally rich from both countries, it celebrates the linkage he
shares with Portugal while retaining, willingly or otherwise, his life-long
history with Indian citizenship.”
Paklo will be opened
by Gauhar Khan at the 2014 edition of IFFI at Inox Screen 4, Saturday, November
22 at 7:45pm
