Experiencing Interruptions?

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 Abraham
    Director
  • Jose Abraham
    Producer
  • Stebin Varghese
    Producer
  • Ouseph Abraham
    Key Cast
    "Chachan"
  • Priyanka Gaikwad
    Sound Mixing & Design
  • Asif Kalam
    Subtitles
  • J J Abraham
    Editor
  • J J Abraham
    Cinematography
  • 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 Festival
    Goyang City and Paju City
    Korea, Republic of
    September 20, 2020
    International Premiere
    Official Selection, Shorts Competition section
  • Dharamshala International Film Festival
    Dharamshala
    India
    October 29, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Kolkata People's Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    January 24, 2020
    Indian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
    Melbourne
    Australia
    August 15, 2021
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • SiGNS Film Festival
    Thrissur
    India
    March 24, 2021
    Official Selection, Focus Section
  • Ponnani International Film Festival
    Ponnani
    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 Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    Nomination Best Short Doc
Director Biography - J J Abraham

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.

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