Filmmaker Reema Sengupta, whose short film “Counterfeit Kunkoo” will have its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, says she wants the movie to start a dialogue around “housing discrimination and marital rape”.
The film, written, directed and edited by Sengupta, is the official selection in the International Narrative Shorts competition at the fest, which runs from January 18-28, read a statement.
“Counterfeit Kunkoo”, featuring Kani Kusruti and Vijay Varma, is a narrative drama set in Mumbai. It speaks about discrimination at house, marital rape and reclaiming one’s sexuality.
“It is an exploration of the idiosyncrasies that come with the deep-seated misogyny in our everyday lives, the battles one must fight, and whether winning or losing those battles matters at all in the first place. It is a 15-minute narrative drama and is the only film representing India at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival,” Sengupta said.
She said it was a difficult film to make, both emotionally and logistically.
“There was so much hustle and heart that went into making it. We have two phenomenal actors in the film – Kani, a critically acclaimed film and theatre actress from Kerala, and Vijay – best known for his performances in ‘Pink’ and ‘Monsoon Shootout’.
“The small crew comprised of family and close friends. Most of them aren’t trained in filmmaking but did a splendid job. Going through the journey of making this film together brought us all so much closer. I’m so happy to see their hard work being rewarded in such incredible ways,” added Sengupta.
She hopes “the film ignites some important conversations about housing discrimination and marital rape; and encourages more young girls to pursue filmmaking”.
“Counterfeit Kunkoo” is a project of Catnip Productions.
Surekha Sengupta, co-producer of the film, said: “I was moved to tears when I saw the first cut. Reema has always had this brilliant fire in her to tell important stories in beautiful ways.”
Sharing her thoughts about being a part of the film, Kani, who plays the protagonist Smita, said: “When Reema approached me with this subject, I knew it was a big problem she was addressing – a problem that was so relevant and personal to me. As a society it is important we talk about it.”
