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This film block contains both documentaries and narratives all centered on finding a stronger sense of belonging through community and kinships. Many of these films center on the importance of building and maintaining bonds in their examination of the dynamics of diasporic Asian American identity.
This screening features 8 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
Follow the poignant journey of two friends: one nursing a broken heart and the other on the verge of marriage. As they spend a day together, unresolved tensions surface, compelling them to confront their shared past. Amidst their grief and aspirations for a better tomorrow, the film delves into the nuanced and intimate friendships between men of color, offering a fresh perspective on modern masculinity.
Director Biography - Soham Kundu
Soham is an Indian-born artist and filmmaker. He moved to London upon being awarded a scholarship to study at the University of the Arts London. His graduation short, 'Love, Death, and Everything In Between,' won the ‘Prix Interculturel Award’ at the 41st Film School Fest Munich. AALO, an auto-ethnographic horror featuring his mother and sister, premiered at the Mumbai International Film Festival. Soham's work is grounded in the intimacy and fragility of human relationships, gravitating towards contemporary narratives that reflect South Asian experiences. His works have screened internationally and have found online distribution on platforms like Disney Plus. He is also a Longlisted Artist for the Aesthetica Art Prize. Soham is developing multiple long form projects, which were selected for Munich Film Up, Pop Up Residency, B3 Hessen Lab, Doc Commune, and Step Up. Soham is a member of BAFTA Connect and Directors UK.
Director Statement
Sometimes we encounter the same people at important moments in our lives. The spaces we inhabit during these encounters are transient, as we might also be in transit, moving from one phase of life to another. In the short time we share together, our collective experiences become life-altering (even if in a small way). These moments, however brief, becomes important in defining who we will be in the next phase of our lives. Farewell' is about acknowledging the impermanence and uncertainty of developing connections, an ode to humans who are constantly striving for change. Olga Tokarczuk says in her book 'Flights, that’ 'Mobility is reality,' which remains true for this story.
Society often marginalizes the deep emotional connection shared in same-sex friendships. This is particularly true for men-of-colour, whose experiences of intimacy and vulnerability are rarely represented in cinema. In traditional media, men-of- colour are often hyper-masculinised, which alienate younger men who don't see themselves reflected in these portrayals. By showcasing the beauty in genuine connections between men, I hope to create a space where audiences can reevaluate their perceptions and embrace a more nuanced understanding of masculinity. People will see this film given their history and how they associate with intimacy. For me, it is important to create a narrative where multiple interpretations are allowed for the audience experiencing the narrative.
As a filmmaker of colour also I'm also committed to crafting cinematic experiences around Asian characters and their experiences. Given my life across multiple continents and informed by the intersection of cultures and identities, I'm naturally drawn to narratives that represent the global majority, particularly focusing on South Asian and diasporic identities outside their home countries. In some way I want to convey the strangeness of feeling of being othered by employing the tools that cinema provides.
This film block contains both documentaries and narratives all centered on finding a stronger sense of belonging through community and kinships. Many of these films center on the importance of building and maintaining bonds in their examination of the dynamics of diasporic Asian American identity.
This screening features 8 films. Toggle between film descriptions by scrolling and clicking on the buttons on the top right.
Follow the poignant journey of two friends: one nursing a broken heart and the other on the verge of marriage. As they spend a day together, unresolved tensions surface, compelling them to confront their shared past. Amidst their grief and aspirations for a better tomorrow, the film delves into the nuanced and intimate friendships between men of color, offering a fresh perspective on modern masculinity.
Director Biography - Soham Kundu
Soham is an Indian-born artist and filmmaker. He moved to London upon being awarded a scholarship to study at the University of the Arts London. His graduation short, 'Love, Death, and Everything In Between,' won the ‘Prix Interculturel Award’ at the 41st Film School Fest Munich. AALO, an auto-ethnographic horror featuring his mother and sister, premiered at the Mumbai International Film Festival. Soham's work is grounded in the intimacy and fragility of human relationships, gravitating towards contemporary narratives that reflect South Asian experiences. His works have screened internationally and have found online distribution on platforms like Disney Plus. He is also a Longlisted Artist for the Aesthetica Art Prize. Soham is developing multiple long form projects, which were selected for Munich Film Up, Pop Up Residency, B3 Hessen Lab, Doc Commune, and Step Up. Soham is a member of BAFTA Connect and Directors UK.
Director Statement
Sometimes we encounter the same people at important moments in our lives. The spaces we inhabit during these encounters are transient, as we might also be in transit, moving from one phase of life to another. In the short time we share together, our collective experiences become life-altering (even if in a small way). These moments, however brief, becomes important in defining who we will be in the next phase of our lives. Farewell' is about acknowledging the impermanence and uncertainty of developing connections, an ode to humans who are constantly striving for change. Olga Tokarczuk says in her book 'Flights, that’ 'Mobility is reality,' which remains true for this story.
Society often marginalizes the deep emotional connection shared in same-sex friendships. This is particularly true for men-of-colour, whose experiences of intimacy and vulnerability are rarely represented in cinema. In traditional media, men-of- colour are often hyper-masculinised, which alienate younger men who don't see themselves reflected in these portrayals. By showcasing the beauty in genuine connections between men, I hope to create a space where audiences can reevaluate their perceptions and embrace a more nuanced understanding of masculinity. People will see this film given their history and how they associate with intimacy. For me, it is important to create a narrative where multiple interpretations are allowed for the audience experiencing the narrative.
As a filmmaker of colour also I'm also committed to crafting cinematic experiences around Asian characters and their experiences. Given my life across multiple continents and informed by the intersection of cultures and identities, I'm naturally drawn to narratives that represent the global majority, particularly focusing on South Asian and diasporic identities outside their home countries. In some way I want to convey the strangeness of feeling of being othered by employing the tools that cinema provides.
