Language : Malayalam
Director : Akhil Anilkumar, Jeo Baby, Francies Louis, Kunjila Mascillamani, Jithin Issac Thomas.
Writers : Akhil Anilkumar, Jeo Baby, Francies Louis, Vishnu K Udayan, Kunjila Mascillamani, Jithin Issac Thomas.
Cast : Joju George, Rohini, Rajisha Vijayan, Srindaa, Sidhartha Siva, Kabani
Genre : Drama.
Streaming on SonyLiv
Since the advent of OTT platforms, anthology films have seen an increased demand in the Indian market. This stems from the fact that anthologies can bring together multiple top technicians under a single project, automatically paving way for good hype and interest among the audience. But apart from a handful; Paava Kadhaigal and Ajeeb Daastans (Netflix), Puthum Pudhu Kaalai & Unpaused (Prime), most anthologies were mixed bags in terms of content and quality, making us question the relevance of such films going forward. Freedom Fight, the new Malayalam anthology released on Sony Liv based on a common theme of ‘Freedom’, thankfully is a successful and daring attempt with each short having a unique voice and impact of its own. The anthology consists of 5 films which discusses freedom from the POV of different sections of the society.
1) Geethu Unchained – Directed by debutant Akhil Anilkumar and starring Rajisha Vijayan in the lead, Geethu Unchained is the lightest and most entertaining film of the lot. The theme here is delivered through Geethu and her decisions related to marriage and love. Even though lighter in tone compared to others, Geethu Unchained manages to encapsulate multiple issues faced by young women in the society, especially if a relationship choice of theirs goes wrong. Rajisha Vijayan’s commendable performance coupled with a humour laden screenplay, results in a film that hooks you to the anthology and sets up base for the remaining ones.
2) Asangadithar – Shot by Kunjilla Mascillamani, this one follows a docudrama structure with the content revolving around a group of low wage women workers fighting a battle to get washrooms installed at their workplaces. The film throws light on a pertinent issue about workers being denied their basic rights and exploited at jobs, partially due to the lack of awareness of the powers they enjoy, and the authorities who are happy to keep them in the dark. While the film works as an eye opener of sorts, it stretches for far too long trying to address a number of other socio-political issues along with its main conflict. This does take off the shine from Asangadithar, yet it works for its selection of story and what it intends to say.
3) Ration/Kliptha Vihitam – This one from director Francies Louis addresses class differences in a subtle way. It wants to drive home the idea that something immaterial to a particular section may have a totally different meaning to others and it’s a struggle for them to get their hands on it. Although Ration doesn’t really gel in with the core theme of freedom, it manages to be an interesting commentary on social divides and choices.
4) Old Age Home – Directed by Jeo Baby and starring a wonderful Joju George, Old Age Home is a commentary on the lack of freedom faced by elderly citizens. The film focuses on Joju’s character Baby, recently diagnosed with dementia, and the kind of constraints enforced on him citing his age and medical condition. For a major part of the story, we are shown Baby’s struggles to satisfy even a small wish of his and the lack of empathy he faces from the ones around him, except his maid Dhanu, who herself is an estranged mother. Towards the end, Old Age Home also sheds light on Baby’s wife, and how a strong willed woman like her also has to fight it out for her freedom
5) Pra.Thu.Mu – The most hard hitting and brutal film of the lot, Pra.Tha.Mu directed by Jithin Issac Thomas gives you the vibes of films like Visaranai and Naayattu within its duration of 25 minutes. The team has chosen an ultra realistic approach in showcasing the power divide between the elite and the poor and has peppered the screenplay with some uneasy visuals. Right from the start it makes you uncomfortable and ends up being the most impactful film of the lot.
Overall Freedom Fight is an effective anthology that benefits from its unique choice of makers and their raw presentation of the topic. I have always felt anthologies are an excellent platform to support upcoming directors as it’s a form most of them are comfortable with and hence can churn out more meaningful and affective stories, as proven by Freedom Fight. Hope other platforms follow suit soon, thus keeping anthologies relevant and entertaining.
Verdict – 6/7 stars
Brilliant.
Trivia
Director Jeo Baby’s 2nd feature film
