Experiencing Interruptions?

The Smell Of Coffee

A young boy, Raga, accompanies his grieving grandmother
in the wake of his grandfather’s passing.

Perplexed by his absence, Raga innocently yearns for his warm return.

A faint yet familiar smell piques his curiosity, leading him
on a journey of self-discovery in the fading apartment.

  • Nishok Nishok
    Director
  • Nishok Nishok
    Writer
  • Saraniyah
    Producer
  • Nishok Nishok
    Producer
  • Nooraini Sikkander
    Producer
  • Tridev Mathan
    Key Cast
  • Sithira Thevi Selvalingam
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 44 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 17, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    9,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Singapore
  • Country of Filming:
    Singapore
  • Language:
    Tamil
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    17:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 66th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen - In Competition
    Oberhausen
    Germany
    May 17, 2020
    World Premiere
    Children's and Youth Film Competition
  • 26th Palm Springs International Short Film Festival - In Competition
    Palm Springs
    United States
    North American Premiere
    Young Cineastes Competition
  • 34th Leeds International Film Festival - In Competition
    Leeds
    United Kingdom
    November 13, 2020
    UK Premiere
    Louis Le Prince Competition
  • 31st Singapore International Film Festival - In Competition
    Singapore
    Singapore
    November 28, 2020
    Asian Premiere
    Southeast Asian Short Film Competition
  • 13th International Film Festival of Larissa - In Competition
    Larissa
    Greece
    International Short Film Competition
  • 32nd Girona Film Festival - Official Selection
    Girona
    Spain
    November 5, 2020
    Official Selection
  • 5th Arthouse Asia Film Festival - In Competition
    Kolkata
    India
    Indian Premiere
    Short Film Competition
  • 25th Riga International Short Film Festival 2ANNAS - In Competition
    Riga
    Latvia
    April 10, 2021
    International Youth Short Film Competition
  • 9th Cinema in Sneakers Film Festival for Children and Youth - In Competition
    Warsaw
    Poland
    Polish Premiere
    Children's Short Film Competition
Director Biography - Nishok Nishok

Nishok's short films focus on Singaporean individuals
yearning for an approximation of their lost pasts.

His films seek to present sincere stories that capture and explore the half shades and hardly audible notes of human nature.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

In the aftermath of my grandfather’s wake, there were several peculiar
occasions where a strong scent of coffee would appear beside me.
No one else could smell it, but me. It would only leave when my grandmother placed a cup of coffee by my grandfather’s altar.

As time went on, these spiritual occurrences became less frequent.
But whenever I felt low or was desperate for a sign from the universe, my grandfather always showed up.

His palpable presence in spite of his absence led to this intergenerational, semi-autobiographical time capsule. Through this film, I hope we can all find the courage to forge ahead with the belief that our guardian angels are always watching over us, even through the most unexpected of signs - just like the smell of coffee.