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!
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Abhishek DixitDirector
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Jhanvi GoyalDirector of Photography
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Dupinder KaurEditor
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Akshay AllawadhiSound Recordist and Designer
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Gaurav DeswalCamera Assistant
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Project Type:Documentary, Short, Student
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Runtime:12 minutes
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Completion Date:August 27, 2021
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Production Budget:68 USD
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Country of Origin:India
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Country of Filming:India
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Language:Hindi
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Shooting Format:Digital
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:Yes - State Institute of Film and Television, PLC State University of Performing and Visual Arts
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FECEA - Festival Internacional de Cinema Escolar de AlvoradaAlvorada
Brazil
December 2, 2021
Finalist -
The Standalone Film Fest & AwardLos Angeles
United States
February 28, 2022
Official Selection -
The 4th Meihodo International Youth Visual Media FestivalNew York
United States
February 22, 2022
Official Selection -
Cineaste International Film Festival of IndiaNoida
India
December 15, 2021
Official Selection -
Early Bird International Student Film FestivalSofia
Bulgaria
November 1, 2021
Official Selection -
Diogenes 2022Tbilsi
Georgia
December 3, 2021
Official Selection -
Playa Film FestivalOranjestad
Aruba
October 1, 2021
Official Selection -
Sportfilm LiberecLiberec
Czech Republic
September 30, 2021
Official Selection -
The LTV FONE FILM FESTIVALWainscott
United States
December 20, 2021
Official Selection -
Sessions By Lift-Off Global NetworkBuckinghamshire
United Kingdom
October 18, 2021
Official Selection -
First-Time Filmmaker Online SessionsBuckinghamshire
United Kingdom
September 27, 2021
Official Selection -
Living Skies Student Film FestivalRegina
Canada
March 3, 2022
Official Selection -
Independent Video Film Festival of Youtube Art Club Pavlos ParaschakisAthens
Greece
October 3, 2022
Official Selection -
Clapperboard Golden FestivalSão Paulo
Brazil
March 9, 2022
Award -
Yale Student Film FestivalNew Haven
United States
April 18, 2022
Official Selection -
Lisbon Film RendezvousLisbon
Portugal
September 14, 2022
Official Selection -
Student Cuts film festivalPtuj
Slovenia
May 12, 2022
Official Selection -
One Earth AwardsBangalore
India
March 31, 2022
Official Selection -
Cineville Annual Film FestivalDelhi
India
April 16, 2022
Award -
Drishyam Film FestivalNew Delhi
India
April 9, 2022
Award -
İnönü University 14. International Short Film FestMalatya
Turkey
May 16, 2022
Award -
8th Sakarya International Short Film FestivalSakarya
Turkey
May 9, 2022
Nominee -
Film and Folklore FestivalChaguanas
Trinidad and Tobago
June 24, 2022
Official Selection -
Best of India Short Film FestivalLondon
United Kingdom
July 31, 2022
Selection -
Festival del Cinema di CefalùCefalu
Italy
August 1, 2022
Official Selection -
BUEIFF CHANNELBuenos Aires
Argentina
August 15, 2022
Official Selection -
F5 FPP Financial Focus FilmFestSanford
United States
June 1, 2022
Official Selection -
Prestige Film FestivalCalifornia
United States
Official Selection -
SCAD Savannah Film FestivalGeorga
United States
Official Selection -
Indian Film Festival of MelbourneSt Kilda
Australia
Official Selection -
International Motor Film Awards
Finalist -
573 Short Film Festival - InternationalWest Columbia
United States
Official Selection
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.
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.