Chachan, A Day.
In small-town Pala, a ninety-year-old farmer goes about his retired life. Located in the southern state of Kerala in India along the western ghats, Pala is known for an economy based on the cash crop of rubber, strong presence of the Catholic Church, and for electing the same legislator for a record fifty-four years straight.
Though ageing limbs and failing eyesight have slowed him down, Chachan's (grandpa) days are full, as he tends to the household farm and cows, makes visit to the church, and follows daily news and soaps on TV. In conversations with his grandson, a film student who's visiting from Kolkata, Chachan reflects on his long farming life, how the fortunes of men and the rubber crop are intertwined, the oft-repeated patterns in local and national politics, and the essential nature of human beings.
In depicting a typical day in Chachan's life, the director experiments with a non-linear, observational style, drawing inspiration from the works of Jonas Mekas.
-
J J AbrahamDirector
-
Jose AbrahamProducer
-
Stebin VargheseProducer
-
Ouseph AbrahamKey Cast"Chachan"
-
Priyanka GaikwadSound Mixing & Design
-
Asif KalamSubtitles
-
J J AbrahamEditor
-
J J AbrahamCinematography
-
Project Type:Documentary, Experimental
-
Genres:Observational, Experimental, Poetic, Tribute
-
Runtime:33 minutes 6 seconds
-
Completion Date:January 5, 2020
-
Production Budget:250 USD
-
Country of Origin:India
-
Country of Filming:India
-
Language:Malayalam
-
Shooting Format:Digital
-
Aspect Ratio:16:9
-
Film Color:Color
-
First-time Filmmaker:Yes
-
Student Project:No
-
DMZ International Documentary Film FestivalGoyang City and Paju City
Korea, Republic of
September 20, 2020
International Premiere
Official Selection, Shorts Competition section -
Dharamshala International Film FestivalDharamshala
India
October 29, 2020
Official Selection -
Kolkata People's Film FestivalKolkata
India
January 24, 2020
Indian Premiere
Official Selection -
Indian Film Festival of MelbourneMelbourne
Australia
August 15, 2021
Australian Premiere
Official Selection -
SiGNS Film FestivalThrissur
India
March 24, 2021
Official Selection, Focus Section -
Ponnani International Film FestivalPonnani
India
March 22, 2021
Official Selection -
Pelikultura: The Calabarzon Film Festival
Philippines
October 24, 2020
Philippines Premiere
Official Selection, Exhibition Section -
Chitrakatha, NID
India
Special Jury Mention -
Rome Independent Prisma AwardsRome
Italy
Nomination Best Short Doc
J J Abraham is a documentary filmmaker and editor. He is from Kerala, India, a graduate of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata.
'Chachan, A Day' is his first independent documentary. His deeply personal and philosophical connection to the subject matter and with the place makes his debut experimental work a special experience.