All That Breathes
Director: Shaunak Sen
The world faces an environmental disaster with uncommon international warming and deathly air pollution. Some even aver that the present disastrous coronavirus pandemic might have had its origins in the best way we ill-treat our planet. As a lot as air pollution is horribly dangerous for us people, it additionally gravely threatens birds and beasts, and Shaunak Sen’s deeply shifting documentary, All That Breathes – which would be the solely Indian entry on the upcoming Cannes Film Festival (May 17-28) enjoying in particular screenings – talks about two brothers in a decrease center class Delhi locality who’ve made it their life’s mission to save lots of kites.
These birds, which have been victims of the capital’s debilitating air air pollution, are rescued by the brothers, Mohammed Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, handled and let loose as soon as they’re able to fly once more. The two are helped by an worker, Salik Rehman, and all of them have devoted their lives to this enormously troublesome rehabilitation enterprise.
Sen’s work is a quiet effort to doc intimately the brothers’ persistence and sacrifice. Carrying on within the face of punishing impediments, together with lack of funds, Saud and Shehzad dwell in hope with a never-say-die perspective. There is an especially touching scene when one in every of them goes to a meat store and asks for a concession in value. It isn’t simple feeding kites, that are birds of prey and have an unlimited urge for food.
It might sound unbelievable however the brothers have been at it for twenty years, struggling to get funds at house and from overseas. We study as we watch the documentary that they really feel taking good care of kites and serving to them to fly once more by themselves are rewards. They love feeding the winged creatures, and the best way they caress them establishing an timeless bond is marvelously shot by Sen.
He additionally lets us into some tender moments as when one of many brothers in an autorickshaw takes out a child squirrel from his shirt pocket, lovingly strokes it and places it again. Such moments of compassion make the film an awesome watch.
The price of this love is unimaginable; though Shehzad and Saud earn a dwelling by manufacturing liquid cleaning soap dispensers, they’re much extra concerned about tending to kites, some 12 hours in a day, and this come at the price of neglecting their households. In a telling scene, Shehzad and his spouse are ruminating over Delhi’s worsening air air pollution. While she is considering their baby, he’s fixated on kites!
The narrative has a zing about it; it’s not chilly or matter-of-fact, and this makes All That Breathes compelling. Aiding that is magnificent cinematography by Benjamin Bernahrd, Riju Das and Saumyananda Sahi. Some of the photographs are excellent, like once they present kites flying with a commentary; whereas these birds seem to swim effortlessly in mid-air, the others wrestle to remain above the bottom. Kites actually make a phenomenal image as they seem immobile within the skies. What is much more touching is the brothers’ deep dedication.
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