Tag: reviews

Films

Goan Documentary Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri Named Quarterfinalist at FLAME FirstCut Film Festival

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goan documentary Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri, directed by Prachi Shirodkar, has been named a quarterfinalist in the Non-Fiction category at the prestigious FLAME FirstCut Film Festival, hosted by FLAME University, Pune. The recognition marks a proud moment not only for the filmmaker but also for Goan documentary cinema.

FirstCut, regarded as India’s largest international student-run film festival, serves as a vibrant platform for emerging filmmakers across the globe. This year, the festival received over 600 entries from students representing more than 70 countries, making the competition particularly intense. The festival featured four categories—Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, and Nano—with the Non-Fiction jury comprising distinguished industry professionals including Nandan Saxena, Kavita Bahl, Jaya Bhattacharya, and Dhanashree Mehta Goel.

Directed, narrated, and shot by Prachi Shirodkar, Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri was edited by Mario Pimenta and developed as a college project at Don Bosco College, Panjim, under the guidance of Agnelo Raymond D’Souza. What began as an academic project has now grown into a documentary gaining recognition on national and international platforms.

The film offers an intimate look into the lives and craftsmanship of Goan artisans working in the gold industry. Through interviews with goldsmiths Virendra Rivankar, Rashila Shirodkar, and Pranay Shirodkar, the documentary captures the intricate artistry, discipline, and generational knowledge that define their work. It sheds light on a community of skilled craftsmen whose stories often remain untold despite their contribution to Goa’s cultural and economic fabric.

Beyond its festival recognition at FLAME FirstCut, the documentary has also been selected at multiple national and international film festivals and featured in The Film Catalogue of Jyoti Filmato, organised by the Centre for Media Studies at Jyoti Nivas Autonomous College. These selections further strengthen the film’s growing presence in the documentary circuit.

Significantly, Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri stands out as a powerful example of women-led filmmaking in Goa, particularly in the documentary genre where female directors remain underrepresented. Prachi Shirodkar’s achievement reflects not only a personal milestone but also a broader shift towards inclusivity and diversity within Goan cinema.

The film’s success reinforces the importance of documenting local stories and preserving traditional knowledge through cinema. By spotlighting Goan artisans and their craft, the documentary amplifies voices that deserve wider recognition while highlighting the rising presence of women behind the camera shaping meaningful and socially relevant narratives.

Music

The Rose Korean Rock Band Documentary Set for Worldwide Theatrical Release

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Rose: Come Back to Me, a documentary chronicling the journey of South Korean indie rock band The Rose, is set to receive a worldwide theatrical release after CJ 4DPLEX acquired global distribution rights to the film. The announcement comes as the documentary continues to gain international attention following its successful festival run.

Directed by Eugene Yi, the film traces The Rose’s rise from performing in Seoul’s Hongdae district to playing some of the world’s biggest music stages, including Coachella. Blending immersive live performances with behind-the-scenes footage and candid interviews, the documentary offers an intimate look into the band’s creative process, personal struggles and enduring friendship.

The Rose, comprising Kim “Sammy” WooSung, Park “Leo” Dojoon, Lee “Dylan” Hajoon and Lee “Jeff” Taegyeom, is known for its emotionally driven sound and global fanbase. The documentary highlights the band’s hands-on involvement in every aspect of their music, from songwriting and rehearsals to stage production and touring, underscoring their commitment to authenticity and artistic control.

Following its premiere at the Tribeca Festival, where it won an Audience Prize and sold out multiple screenings, the film also played to packed houses at its international premiere at the Busan International Film Festival. The strong audience response has positioned the documentary as both a music film and a coming-of-age story that resonates beyond genre or geography.

CJ 4DPLEX plans a global theatrical rollout beginning in 2026, with simultaneous releases across multiple international markets and additional territories to follow. The Valentine’s Day launch is expected to offer fans worldwide a shared cinematic experience celebrating the band’s journey, resilience and message of healing through music.

With its worldwide theatrical release, The Rose: Come Back to Me further cements The Rose’s place in the global music landscape, bringing their story from the concert stage to the big screen for audiences around the world.

Films

Goan Film The Awakening Selected for Mitee Environment Short Film & Documentary Festival 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

Goan short film The Awakening, directed by young filmmaker Rameez Shaikh, has been officially selected for screening at the 5th Mitee Environment Short Film and Documentary Festival. The film will be screened on January 11, 2026, at the Lady Ramabai Auditorium, S.P. College, Pune. Scheduled from January 9 to 11, the festival will present over 40 environment-focused short films and documentaries from across the world, with The Awakening standing out as the sole Goan film featured this year.

Organised by the Mitee Film Society, the festival has grown into an important platform for young and emerging filmmakers, particularly those addressing social and environmental issues. Now in its fifth edition, the festival continues its mission of nurturing youth voices and showcasing cinema that informs, inspires, and provokes meaningful dialogue among audiences.

The Awakening stars Rameez Shaikh, Siya Chodankar, and Cyrus Fernandes in lead roles. The screenplay and cinematography were handled by Numair Khan, who also co-wrote the story along with Rameez Shaikh and Sharvi Dhond. Editing was done by Varun Kashyap, with technical support from Boskon Studio. The film’s background score was composed by Cyrus Fernandes, while production was managed by Sharvi Dhond and Ebenezer Rajamanickam.

Director Rameez Shaikh, a 21-year-old Gen Z filmmaker from Goa, is a Mass Communication graduate from Don Bosco College, Panjim. In addition to filmmaking, he is a digital creator who has won several local and national-level reel competitions alongside his brothers Ismail Shaikh and Aarif Shaikh.

The film centres on a conversation between two friends contemplating a dying planet, gradually realising that meaningful change begins with shifting mindsets and embracing environmental responsibility. Set against the backdrop of a decaying city, the narrative highlights how apathy has become one of the greatest contributors to environmental degradation, while stressing the power of collective action by ordinary people.

Through its reflective storytelling, The Awakening urges viewers to confront indifference and recognise their individual and collective responsibility towards the planet. The film envisions a future shaped by conscious choices, empathy for the environment, and a shared commitment to safeguarding the world for generations to come.

International

Kate Middleton Marks 44th Birthday with Emotional ‘Mother Nature’ Finale, Reflects on Healing and Gratitude

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral International Desk

Princess of Wales Kate Middleton marked her 44th birthday with the release of an emotional and deeply personal short film titled Winter, the fourth and final installment of her Mother Nature series. Released on Friday, January 9, the film reflects on healing, gratitude, and the profound connection between nature and wellbeing.

The visually poetic film captures Princess Kate on an early morning walk through frost-covered landscapes, strolling across bridges, dipping her hand into a flowing stream, and standing reflectively in open fields. Through a calm and introspective voiceover, she speaks about stillness, patience, and self-discovery during life’s colder and darker seasons.

“Even in the coldest, darkest season, winter has a way of bringing us stillness, patience and quiet consideration,” Kate reflects in the film, drawing parallels between the natural world and inner healing. She speaks of gratitude, emotional release, and the peace found in surrendering to nature’s rhythms, describing it as both a quiet teacher and a guide toward healing.

In the caption accompanying the film, the Princess of Wales described the Mother Nature series as “a deeply personal, creative reflection on how nature has helped me heal,” while also highlighting its broader message of collective healing through creativity and environmental connection. Signing off simply with “C,” Kate emphasised the importance of learning from nature to build a healthier and happier world.

Filmed across locations including Berkshire — where Kate lives with Prince William and their three children — as well as London and the Cotswolds, the film was captured by filmmaker Will Warr. The series began in May 2025 to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, followed by Summer in August and Autumn in November.

The release of Winter comes a year after Kate publicly announced that she was in remission from cancer in January 2025. She had earlier shared her diagnosis in March 2024 and underwent treatment, including chemotherapy. Throughout that journey, Kate frequently spoke about the comfort and strength she drew from spending time outdoors.

A long-time advocate of connecting with nature, including the practice of forest bathing, Kate’s bond with the natural world took on deeper meaning during her recovery. Her earlier health updates, often shared through outdoor imagery, symbolised hope, resilience, and renewal.

With Winter, the Princess of Wales brings her Mother Nature series to a close — leaving behind a powerful message about healing, patience, and the enduring wisdom of the natural world, offered with grace, vulnerability, and quiet strength.

Films

Smoke and Mirrors Wins Best Student Short Film at Goa International Film Competition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Smoke and Mirrors, a Goan psychological thriller directed by Rameez Shaikh, has won the Best Student Short Film award at the prestigious Goa International Film Competition, marking a significant milestone for student cinema from the state. The recognition highlights not only the film’s compelling narrative but also the growing confidence and creative ambition of young filmmakers emerging from Goa.

The film follows the unsettling journey of Maya, a young woman who begins to experience Capgras Syndrome, a rare psychological condition that causes her to believe that people close to her have been replaced by impostors. As Maya struggles to understand her increasingly fractured perception of reality, the line between truth and illusion gradually dissolves. The story builds toward a shocking and unexpected turn, offering a chilling exploration of the human mind and its capacity for self-deception.

Central to the film’s impact are its powerful performances. Prachi Shirodkar delivers a layered and emotionally intense portrayal of Maya, capturing her vulnerability, confusion, and inner turmoil with striking authenticity. Varun Thanki, who plays David, Maya’s husband, brings depth to a role defined by emotional conflict, balancing support with growing uncertainty. Chinmaya Damodlekar, as Dr. Jay, adds subtle nuance to the narrative, further strengthening the film’s psychological tension.

Behind the camera, Smoke and Mirrors is equally notable for the dedication of its crew. Director Rameez Shaikh took on multiple responsibilities, serving as writer, storyteller, cinematographer, and production manager, overseeing nearly every creative aspect of the project. Varun Kashyap contributed significantly as editor and sound designer, while also supporting the production as a spot boy, adding technical precision and on-set efficiency to the film.

Sharvi Dhond played a key role in shaping the film’s story alongside Rameez Shaikh and also handled costume design and makeup, ensuring visual continuity and character authenticity. Poonam Bind managed audio and data coordination, contributing to the smooth execution of the production. Ebenezer Rajamanickam assisted with lighting and camera work, while Craig Rodrigues supported the team as a spot boy, helping maintain a seamless workflow on set.

Smoke and Mirrors was created as a final-year short film for the B.A. Mass Communication course at Don Bosco College, Panjim, under the guidance of Ardra Naik. The film’s success at the Goa International Film Competition stands as a testament to the strength of academic mentorship combined with student-driven creativity.

This recognition not only celebrates the achievement of Rameez Shaikh and his team but also underscores the rising presence of student-led films within the broader Indian film landscape. With its compelling concept, strong performances, and committed crew, Smoke and Mirrors emerges as a remarkable example of the future of Goan cinema.