Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Pakika Begam, Arnali Das, Manoranjan Das, Banita Thakuria, Manabendra Das
Intro:
realistic, hard hitting and emotionally resonate
Bulbul Can Sing is a film that is realistic, hard hitting and emotionally resonate. The story follows teens in a rural Indian community as they navigate through school life, relationships, values and culture.
The majority of the film is built on situational realism, where it is focused on the characters rather than the plot, which allows the viewer to get fully immersed in the story. These characters, some underwritten and unlikeable, are your guide throughout and this approach acts as an effective framing device. The performances certainly help sell it, with Manoranjoan Das, in particular, fantastic as Suman.
The film is full of longer scenes and repetitive plot points which enhance the themes: maturity, self-realisation, cultural ethics and modern societal issues faced by rural areas. The ambition is laudable, however, the ending doesn’t provide the necessary cohesion.
However, what brings it together is the cinematography, which provides striking moments of beauty, most effective when juxtaposed with Rimas’ verite style of filmmaking. It’s clear that the director has a pure love for her culture. It’s a joy to see these characters in such an uninhibited environment and that is the true beauty of the film.
Bulbul Can Sing screens as the opening night film of the Indian Film Festival Melbourne in Assamese with English subtitles
