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52 Seconds

“52 Seconds” is a filmic response to the growing nationalist jingoism and increasing censorship in India. The recent verdict of Supreme Court of India made compulsory the playing of the national anthem before each show in the cinemas and the audience should stand up for showing respect to the nation. At the International Film Festival of Kerala’s 2016 edition some delegates were arrested for not standing while the anthem was played. The extreme right-wing RSS and self-styled patriots took the issue of national anthem for intimidating dissidents. Similarly the rule of showing warnings against alcohol and tobacco use, advice for wearing helmet etc. litters the film image and curtails the freedom of expression. In this context, this is just an attempt to reveal the naivety of imposing nationalism by coercion.

  • Prathap Joseph
    Director
  • Sudevan
    Writer
  • Prathap Joseph
    Writer
  • Prathap Joseph
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    52 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    February 15, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Malayalam
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Prathap Joseph

Prathap Joseph is a photographer, cinematographer, and director based in Kerala, India. Prathap filmed the award-winning crime feature Cr.No.89 in 2013 directed by Sudevan, followed by the critically acclaimed film Savam (The Corpse) directed by Don Palathara in 2015. He is now working as a cinematographer for the upcoming film Eli Eli Sabachthani directed by Jiju Antony. Prathap had earlier did camerawork for several short films and documentaries and directed short films such as Frames and Kanunnundo. His first feature film was Kuttippuram Palam, in which the visuals tell the story without any background music or dialogues.

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Director Statement

“52 Seconds” is a filmic response to the growing nationalist jingoism and increasing censorship in India. The recent verdict of Supreme Court of India made compulsory the playing of the national anthem before each show in the cinemas and the audience should stand up for showing respect to the nation. At the International Film Festival of Kerala’s 2016 edition some delegates were arrested for not standing while the anthem was played. The extreme right-wing RSS and self-styled patriots took the issue of national anthem for intimidating dissidents. Similarly the rule of showing warnings against alcohol and tobacco use, advice for wearing helmet etc. litters the film image and curtails the freedom of expression. In this context, this is just an attempt to reveal the naivety of imposing nationalism by coercion.