Skip to main content
The Widow's Son Turns Storyteller film image; man drags another man through shallow water

The Widow's Son Turns Storyteller

Hasratein Basrat

VIFF Short Forum

International Premiere

In the city of Kanpur, fables emanate from an ancient mound.

 

Supported by

    

Media Partner

Community Partner

Director
Credits
Country of Origin

India

Year

2023

Language

In Hindi and Urdu with English subtitles

Film Contact
Links
Content Warning

Self harm

18+
10 min
Cinemas of Asia Human Rights & Social Justice Shorts
Aindrezalik Pcynema

Credits & Director

Executive Producer

Akshay Ingle

Producer

Aindrezalik Pcynema

Screenwriter

Shikher Pal

Cinematography

Shikher Pal

Editor

Shikher Pal

Shiker Pal headshot; The Widow's Son Turns Storyteller director

Shikher Pal

Shikher, is an independent filmmaker interested in researching and telling stories that goes hitherto untold. Before pursuing filmmaking, he studied literature in college having an interest in the art of storytelling since childhood. The gargantuan form of storytelling in India which eats one another fascinates him, and one can find this in his debut short film too. The film was screened in the 16th IDSFKK, India (2024) and bagged the Golden Bioscope award in the Nagari Short film Competition (2024). His student graduation film as a cinematographer Wet Black Leaves (2024) was screened in the 22nd Pune International Film Festival, 15th IDSFKK, Kerala and 18th MIFF, 2024, Mumbai. Currently he is working on his documentary feature debut film No Road to My Home which is supported by PSBT Doc-Commune programme.

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

Giant

Dir. George Stevens
198 min

This was the Yellowstone of its time: a big, sweeping modern Western built around an imposing ranch and family dynamics -- except Giant is much more subversive. James Dean strikes it rich as Jett Rink, much to the disgust of his former boss, Rock Hudson.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Familiar Touch

Dir. Sarah Friedland
90 min

A loving portrait of an octogenarian transitioning into an assisted living facility, this award-winning first feature by choreographer Sarah Friedland has a simplicity and warmth that's exceptionally poignant.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Super Happy Forever

Dir. Kohei Igarashi
94 min

This beguiling film depicts a man’s return to the Japanese seaside town where he met his now-deceased wife five years earlier. He tries to relive the past, and in the film's final section -- a flashback to 2018 -- the audience is afforded that privilege.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

A Streetcar Named Desire

Dir. Elia Kazan
122 min

"I don't want realism. I want magic!" declares Blanche du Bois, the tragic heroine who meets her nemesis in her sister's husband, Stanley Kowalski, in Tennessee Williams' great play. Brando's performance as Stanley is a turning point in American acting.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema
Georgia O'Keeffe: the Brightness of Light
Georgia O’Keeffe: The Brightness of Light film image; painted reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows that combine to look like a flower

Georgia O'Keeffe: the Brightness of Light

Dir. Paul Wagner
118 min

Drawing on her copious correspondence and the world's leading scholars, this is a definitive documentary on the life and work of "the mother of American Modernism."

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

While You Weren't Looking

Dir. Catherine Stewart
72 min

The changing landscape of South African politics and lifestyles is portrayed through a trio of artfully counter-pointed relationships.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre