Grief can often be a dubious thing. It can, simultaneously, be an encasing shell, blinding us to everything else around us, while also being a channel for the most wondrous things to take shape from. ‘Departure’ is a short film, not necessarily born out of personal grief, but definitely meant as an examination of it. Written and conceptualized by Aditya Sable and Rahuldev Mukherji, the film is a poignant look at a man reeling from a personal tragedy. More so, it’s a short film that takes a look at the tormented journey of an individual through all the stages of grief.
Directed by Aniket Jadhav, ‘Departure’ is the story of Steven and Rosalie. However, more than just being their story, it is a tale of recovery and acceptance. To lay the initial steps for the story, Steven has just lost Rosalie, the girl he intended to marry, to cancer. It is with his loss and sorrow that ‘Departure’ grapples with and, consequently, resolves into some semblance of acceptance.
When conceptualizing the script behind the short film, Aditya Sable, decidedly, meant to look at the idea of a traumatic experience and how we, as human beings, engage with that said experience. Settling and refining the thematic thread by intertwining that examination with the stages of personal loss, the creative team behind the short film, deliberately, paces the plot of the film in accordance with the phases of sorrow, that of denial, contemplation and, finally, acceptance.
I prepared for my character by observing people, their behaviour and reaction to trauma. It was a great learning curve for me.
aditya sable
It is incredibly difficult to tackle a conceptual idea in a short film, due to the complications arising out of the script directing actors to convey an idea rather than a plot. However, ‘Departure’ does a fantastic job at the task it undertakes. Aditya Sable, featuring as Steven, portrays a conflicted character exceptionally well. What is, indeed, pleasantly surprising is the character of Rosalie, portrayed by Tasneem Hussain.
Portrayal of Sameer was quite something as he was exactly opposite me. However, the best part of this journey was the cheerful environment that the team created.
Tushar pandey
Tasneem’s portrayal of Rosalie is critical to the foundational idea of the film. Shown only in flashbacks and heard in narrative backgrounds, Rosalie represents the very idea of loss. It is to her immense credit that Tasneem takes the scripted limitations of her character and makes her presence felt throughout the film. Of course, due credit must be given to the script and direction which made it possible for the idea of loss to be embodied in a character. Still, it is one brought to life by Tasneem, herself. And that deserves recognition.
The opportunity to work with such a hardworking and familiar team was a great experience.
Tasneem Husain
Take some time out to watch ‘Departure’. It is, after all, an important look at something that we all face.
