Life on the Edge

Abdul (26 years old) and Mohd. Anees (28 Years Old), are riders in "WELL OF DEATH", also known as "MAUT KA KUWAN" or "WALL OF DEATH". The WELL was started again by their family after COVID-19 affected them. Originally from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, they belong to a family of the lower middle class. Over 15 members make up their large family. A cycle or bike was usually driven in a pit, but their father was the first Indian to use a ramp above ground. In Pakistan, their father learned the art of driving a car in the well. In 1982, he became India's first man to drive on a ramp wall. Despite his father's opposition, Abdul was always passionate about the arts and was eager to continue the legacy. Additionally, he chose to be a driver because he had some unwanted problems at home (both financially and mentally). Abdul believes there is no escape from death, and you are powerless to escape it.

All the earners in his family ceased to work during the lockdown. Many problems arose at home. His elder brother Naeem began making undergarments after months of stress. A successful outcome resulted from the work. In the present day, the family owns a factory that produces underwear. Several members of his family and relatives make up the crew. All of them struggled with socio-economic and socio-political issues, and so they decided to risk their lives to earn and feed their families.

He stays in the game as long as every time he drives thanks to Abdul's passion and talent. To earn respect in society, he is doing the work against all odds. Rather than letting his son pursue this career, he wants him to pursue education. Throughout his life, he contemplates different ideas. Though he has faced hardships throughout his life, despite his talent and passion, he believes he is a celebrity!

  • Abhishek Dixit
    Director
  • Jhanvi Goyal
    Director of Photography
  • Dupinder Kaur
    Editor
  • Akshay Allawadhi
    Sound Recordist and Designer
  • Gaurav Deswal
    Camera Assistant
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    August 27, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    68 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - State Institute of Film and Television, PLC State University of Performing and Visual Arts
  • FECEA - Festival Internacional de Cinema Escolar de Alvorada
    Alvorada
    Brazil
    December 2, 2021
    Finalist
  • The Standalone Film Fest & Award
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 28, 2022
    Official Selection
  • The 4th Meihodo International Youth Visual Media Festival
    New York
    United States
    February 22, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Cineaste International Film Festival of India
    Noida
    India
    December 15, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Early Bird International Student Film Festival
    Sofia
    Bulgaria
    November 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Diogenes 2022
    Tbilsi
    Georgia
    December 3, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Playa Film Festival
    Oranjestad
    Aruba
    October 1, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Sportfilm Liberec
    Liberec
    Czech Republic
    September 30, 2021
    Official Selection
  • The LTV FONE FILM FESTIVAL
    Wainscott
    United States
    December 20, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Sessions By Lift-Off Global Network
    Buckinghamshire
    United Kingdom
    October 18, 2021
    Official Selection
  • First-Time Filmmaker Online Sessions
    Buckinghamshire
    United Kingdom
    September 27, 2021
    Official Selection
  • Living Skies Student Film Festival
    Regina
    Canada
    March 3, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Independent Video Film Festival of Youtube Art Club Pavlos Paraschakis
    Athens
    Greece
    October 3, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Clapperboard Golden Festival
    São Paulo
    Brazil
    March 9, 2022
    Award
  • Yale Student Film Festival
    New Haven
    United States
    April 18, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Lisbon Film Rendezvous
    Lisbon
    Portugal
    September 14, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Student Cuts film festival
    Ptuj
    Slovenia
    May 12, 2022
    Official Selection
  • One Earth Awards
    Bangalore
    India
    March 31, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Cineville Annual Film Festival
    Delhi
    India
    April 16, 2022
    Award
  • Drishyam Film Festival
    New Delhi
    India
    April 9, 2022
    Award
  • İnönü University 14. International Short Film Fest
    Malatya
    Turkey
    May 16, 2022
    Award
  • 8th Sakarya International Short Film Festival
    Sakarya
    Turkey
    May 9, 2022
    Nominee
  • Film and Folklore Festival
    Chaguanas
    Trinidad and Tobago
    June 24, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Best of India Short Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    July 31, 2022
    Selection
  • Festival del Cinema di Cefalù
    Cefalu
    Italy
    August 1, 2022
    Official Selection
  • BUEIFF CHANNEL
    Buenos Aires
    Argentina
    August 15, 2022
    Official Selection
  • F5 FPP Financial Focus FilmFest
    Sanford
    United States
    June 1, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Prestige Film Festival
    California
    United States
    Official Selection
  • SCAD Savannah Film Festival
    Georga
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
    St Kilda
    Australia
    Official Selection
  • International Motor Film Awards

    Finalist
  • 573 Short Film Festival - International
    West Columbia
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Abhishek Dixit

Abhishek Dixit is a student of Film Direction, pursuing his BFA from State Institute of Film and Television, SUPVA, and Master of Art in Philosophy. Graduated with Post Graduate Diploma in Folklore and Culture Studies, Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology, and Diploma in Information Technology. He did several courses from major pioneer institutes such as a course in Persian Language, Literature and Art from National Museum, Certificate course in Theatre Appreciation from National School of Drama, and Short courses from Film and Television Institute of India, Australian Film and Television Institute, and Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. The ArtX Company and the Goethe Institute awarded him a fellowship for the Cultural Management in the Digital Age project. Among his previous work are three acclaimed documentaries, a web series, "The Laachaars" (Under Post Production), and several short films. Two of his books are in the works: a biography of Ebrahim Alkazi for which he received a fellowship from The Raza Foundation; and a historical romance fiction called Coast & Shore. Mahindra and Mahindra awarded him an all-India scholarship for having a good academic record. He is dedicated to promoting, preserving, and protecting the arts, literature, culture, and heritage.

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Director Statement

I made this film because this art of riding appealed to me in many ways. Passion for their lives began with the thrill of their work and the struggle and hard work that accompanied it. Everyone enjoys watching them perform for entertainment, but nobody tries to comprehend their reality. This film belongs to all the daredevils of this world who are living on the edge to entertain us.