Promita Bhowmik's debut short film Porichoy deals with women and self-identity

Award-winning poet and writer Promita Bhowmik’s debut short film Porichoy is winning accolades at various film festivals across the globe. Starring National-award winning actress Sudipta Chakraborty and Koneenica Banerjee, the short film received the Honourable Mention Award at the Paris Film Festival, Best Women Director at the Madras Independent Film Festival and Best Narrative Short Film at the Istanbul Film Awards this year.

In the film, former college mates Sreya (Chakraborty) and Anuradha (Banerjee) happen to meet after 15 years. Anuradha is a homemaker, who has recently returned to Kolkata from abroad, while Sreya’s profession initially remains a mystery.

“Through this film, I have tried to narrate a story of women’s search for self-identity,” said the director.

“Often homemakers appear to be happy from the outside, but they hardly have agency in taking care of their family or of the household. On the other hand, normally the profession Sreya belongs to is not respectfully recognised by society; however, she is not at all embarrassed regarding pursuing it.”

In the film, Sreya makes a case for her freedom and attempts to make Anuradha realize her own rights as well. The film takes place over a single day, focusing on Sreya and Anuradha’s deeply motivating conversation, which leads both of them to new realizations about redefining their identities.

Bhowmik has worked on a documentary titled Illumination and a poetry film called Apeksha [The Waiting]. “This is my first work of fiction. When I first approached the actresses, both of them agreed to be part of the film,” the filmmaker said.

Porichoy is also Chakraborty’s first short film. She liked the script instantly, which also inspired Bhowmik to go ahead with the project. “Both of them never made me feel like a newcomer on the sets or even during the post-production. They shared their experiences and made helpful suggestions. I have got my due respect as a director while working with them," she said.

The film has been selected for the Miami Independent Film Festival, Berlin Flash Film Festival, Toronto International Women Film Festival, Golden Short Film Festival, New York Flash Film Festival and New Indie Film Festival of London and has also been selected as the finalist for the Sweden Film Awards 2021.

The director hopes to release the film before Durga Puja, depending on the pandemic situation.

Bhowmik is also working on her first feature-length film. “The script is ready. This will be a women-centric story, dealing with some deep-rooted social issues of patriarchy. Initial pre-production has already started," she said.