Our first selection for our World Cinema Film Festival is short film ‘School Bag’ by Indian filmmaker Dheeraj Jindal.
We will be screening his film alongside others from around the world, to reflect the diverse community we live in, in the East London borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Synopsis:
The bond between a mother and her son is indeed a special one. It was the same between Farooq and his Mother. They reside in the small town of Peshawar, Pakistan.
Farooq, a child with a simple demand, wants a new school bag on his birthday. But his mother, who in spite of her love and affection seems to be unfazed by her child’s plea.
Unknown to Farooq, there is something waiting for him.
Director:
Dheeraj Jindal, at a very young age got attached to questions. Questions about the measures of good and bad, the society and its inequalities. Questions that hit the prism of curiosity but got lost in its colors. Not too enthusiastic in academics, he soon got introduced to his favorite quote “travelling is the best way to get educated.”
He travelled, observed and looked for his answers, and soon a sheer coincidence introduced him to an art of telling stories, filmmaking.
He first entered the film scene around seven years back as an associate director, after his formal training in Masters degree specialized in film making, and very soon he moved on to directing films independently and got a number of social, commercial, corporate and documentary films to his credit, that won awards, and more importantly, hearts of his audience.
Immensely creative, disciplined and slightly quirky Dheeraj is a rare blend of talent and humility. His work reflects his vision, his perseverance and technical knowhow. Carrying along his habit of living the moment, he makes each and every frame in his films striking and memorable.
His small experience as an actor at the age of seven, is one of the dots that connects him to where he is today. Courageous moments, out of the box ideas and his dedication are few more.
While he continues to connect the dots, he continues to look for his answers.
We are incredibly honoured and excited to showcase Dheeraj’s film to a new international audience here in London on the 16th June. Tickets for the festival will be available soon via Eventbrite.