Freedom Fight is an anthology film by Jeo Baby that unites various stories under a unifying theme–freedom. The film comprises five short films directed by Akhil Anilkumar, Jeo Baby, Francies Louis, Kunjila Mascillamani, and Jithin Issac Thomas. Jeo Baby is known for his relatable, everyday storytelling. His last directorial venture, The Great Indian Kitchen, is a testament to that. Does Freedom Fight live up to the same expectations? Read this review to find out.
Geethu Unchained
Directed and written by Akhil Anilkumar and starring Rajisha Vijayan in the lead role, Geethu Unchained is perhaps the most relatable story of the set, especially for women. Geethu calls off her engagement to her boyfriend of two years and is subject to the pressures of society and family. Geethu is not an all-out rebel trying to change the world. No, she is just a woman who has learnt from her experiences and from the experiences of those around her. She is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past–her own or anyone else’s.
Geethu is victim to limitless taunts by her family as well as a colleague, Anita. She has been branded a two-timer, just because she called off a relationship where she felt trapped. She talks about how after their engagement, her ex wanted her to video call his mother daily, change their relationship status on Facebook, and even put up a photo of them together saying, ‘You are my world, my everything.’ On the surface, these might seem minor and maybe even stupid things to break up over. The reality though is, as Geethu said, these are trappings, the chains of which will only tighten as time passes.
She also calls out the hypocrisy of her mother who frequently laments marrying her husband, yet tries to control Geethu’s life. When her parents try to forcefully fix her marriage, she goes off on them. Geethu asks, quite vehemently, “Are you getting me married for my happiness or for the sake of society?” A question many women have asked their parents.
Asanghadithar
Kunjila Mascillamani’s Asanghadithar or The Unorganised Sector starts with a group of women breaking into a shop to build a toilet. In the SM market of Kozhikode, a group of women working in various shops don’t even have the basic necessity of a toilet. They are forced to either go to a nearby restaurant or pee in a bottle or out in the open. There is no over-the-top activism going on in the film. It just shows the lives of a few women who are facing difficulties working 10-12 hours daily without being able to use a toilet.
Srindaa does a fabulous job in the lead. She is scared and often doesn’t know the exact words to say, but she never gives up. As she walks into the shop from where she was fired, she is at a loss for the law she wants to state. But that is no reason for her to stay quiet. She gathers her tribe and stands up for herself and her rights.
The film also stars the real-life tailor turned activist, Viji, who supports the women in their fight to get a toilet made. The film also throws light on the plight of transgenders and how they are denied opportunities and basic decency.
Ration
Francies Louis’s Ration depicts the stark difference between the lives of the rich and the poor without really saying anything. Suni, played by Kabani, is a housewife while her husband, played by director Jeo Baby, works in a ration shop. They come from a lower-income household and share a good relationship with their rich neighbour. A case of misunderstanding throws light on the stark class difference between them.
Suni’s neighbour gives some fish to her daughter to be kept in the freezer. Unknowingly, Suni cooks the same for the family the same night. The next day, when her neighbour Princy asks her for the fish, Suni is at a loss. There beings her struggle to replace the expensive seer fish for her neighbour.
Suni runs around town trying to find the exact fish, even though she can’t afford it. Her husband is dismissive of her plight and no help to her. Ultimately, Suni ends up selling her gold ring to afford the fish. Next, all we see is a table filled with different meats and a bunch of men getting together for a drink. And Princy throwing out the leftovers the next morning. Ration clearly shows how one man’s treasure is another man’s trash. Quite literally!
Old Age Home
Old Age Home is directed by Joe Baby himself and he chooses to focus his camera on the male protagonist. Baby, played by Joju George, is a retired man suffering from age-induced dementia. This short also stars Rohini as Dhanu, a domestic worker at Baby’s house.
Baby is suffering from memory loss and is facing trouble dealing with it. He speaks slowly and is unwilling to do anything. All he wants are some sweets, often laddoos and jalebis. The camaraderie between Baby and Dhanu is a delight to watch. While his wife is busy running her small business and taking care of the house, Baby only has Dhanu for company. Dhanu is willing to indulge him occasionally and talk to him. She is the only one who does talk to him. She is also the only person he constantly asks for sweets, often adding “Don’t tell Lali”, his wife.
Old Age Home is the most heartbreaking short in the anthology. You can feel Baby’s loneliness radiating through the screen. When he says, “I feel imprisoned here. I need to beg you to even get a toffee”, you can’t help but feel sorry for him.
Pra Thoo Mu
Jithin Issac Thomas’s Pra Thoo Mu is perhaps the most hard-hitting story in the anthology. This black and white movie deals with the plight of septic tank cleaners. The movie starts with a man covered in filth, walking into a minister’s home questioning him why he did it. Lakshmanan loses his temper when a toilet is flushed and he is sprayed with dirty water. He questions the minister on his actions and ends up getting beaten up. The rest of the movie deals with what happens afterwards.
The film has sickening depictions, as it literally deals with shit. The battle between the oppressor and the oppressed is shown with stark clarity. Siddharth Siva is almost inhuman in his role as a minister. He refuses to see the septic tank cleaners are humans, let alone his equals. Unni Lalu as Lakshaman is brilliant in his portrayal of a wronged man who just wants to be treated as a person.
Pra Thoo Mu does not shy away from showing the gory details. Neither does it try to cushion the injustices done by those in power. It definitely isn’t a film for the faint of heart.
What’s commendable about Freedom Fight is how different and unique each story is. It tries to move out of the comfort zone already established in Malayalam cinema. Freedom Fight will force you to question yourself, your actions, and the actions of those around you. The movie does open up a space for dialogue if only it can be taken ahead.
Freedom Fight is streaming on Sony LIV.
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