Shorts 5: Fractured Bonds – The Dreamcatcher

Inspired by Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, a propaganda artist Bihaan traces his journey of becoming a vermin while trying to paint a nude portrait of his lover. As a sense of infidelity penetrates his personal relationships, he is posed with a question- what is morally corrupt- art or the artist?

2023 | 16 mins | India | Bengali | Color | 🏆✏️ | Drama, Romance, Art, Experimental

About the Filmmaker

Ankit Santra, 23, is an independent filmmaker and writer oscillating between London (UK) and Kolkata (India). Passionate about films, he also finds merriment in filling canvases. River, Road and Hoodwinked Toad, his debut short film has been awarded at various film festivals in India and premiered at the prestigious 43rd VGIK International Film Festival, Moscow. His other short, THE DREAMCATCHER has traveled the globe stopping at many, including Oscar/ BAFTA qualifying festivals. Professionally, Ankit is also an advertisement and TVC director, with his works being covered by the likes of Times Now, Adgully, et al.

Director’s Statement

THE DREAMCATCHER questions the stance of an onlooker. Through Bihaan’s life it tries to draw attention to how politics of promises has silently seeped the private space of a commoner. As an artist, Bihaan addresses issues like the Ukrainian conflict, but resorts to working for propaganda in his own country. Opportunism and shallowness of his politics culminates into his personal relationships becoming condescending and thus, ephemeral in nature. It is his art that has a soul of its own but Bihaan’s ‘self’ or ‘conscience’ is that of a vermin. I believe that both fiction and documentaries are a game of perspectives: while a documentary is the perspective of the maker, a fiction is that of the protagonist. The intention behind use of split screen in the film, hence, is to cover the scenes from two perspectives: Protagonist and Onlooker. The two perspectives playing simultaneously is meant generate a third meaning without directing the audience’s attention with cuts. THE DREAMCATCHER is the most significant slice of my own life. I have worked in propaganda, and the character of Bihaan is how I envisioned myself had I not gone through a career shift.