Partly a drama, partly a poetic plunge into the seen and unseen nuances of inter-human connection, ‘Blackness‘ has a special aura that captured our attention from the very first minutes. In front of Vivek Roy’s short film, we were reminded of the contemplative power of some of the great world movies, whose subject matter also focused on those imperceptible details that explore with a powerful authenticity the human soul’s need to achieve a state of grace. It is not by chance that one of the central themes of this project is music, the invisible and evanescent art transcending the perceivable barriers of visible reality to produce a subtle contact between two sensibilities that share the same passion. Music and love serve as the central themes in this film, connecting a young blind woman and her grandmother. Their bond grows as they navigate an apprenticeship focused on mastering the theremin: a lesser-known but captivatingly unique instrument. So, we are talking about a story which, as it unfolds before us the backstage of a filial love, explores in subtext how devotion hones a profound perception of the world that goes beyond its strictly visual interface.
The fact that Leena is blind does not prevent her from having a special relationship with music. On the contrary, where the eye is unable to see the truth behind appearances, music can reveal the essence of human relationships. Next to her grandmother, Leena is about to learn about passion and the power of sacrifice.
In a narrative of disarming tenderness, the nuances of which seem to resonate with the stakes of an oriental parable, Vivek Roy traces the initiatory path of the protagonist who discovers the beauty of music and harmony right in the very heart of “blackness”. It’s a difficult challenge that the director takes on with talent and courage, managing to deliver a short film as diaphanous as it is consistent about the limits of perception and the healing power of art. Even if the psychological deepening of the characters would need more attention to fully explore how they interact and overcome emotional blocks, ‘Blackness’ pleasantly surprised us and convinced us of its artistic potential that deserves to be developed into a feature film.
For the poetic and evanescent way in which it captures the imperceptible details of human connection, ‘Blackness’ was awarded with the Film of the Month distinction in the September 2024 edition of TMFF.
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