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

Erupcja

Dir. Pete Ohs
72 min

Charli xcx headlines this indie gem about a young English couple coming unmoored over a few days in Warsaw. Will means to propose. Beth has cold feet -- and an escape hatch she has barely admitted to herself... Think Before Sunrise 2025.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre
Tony Wilson's The Homeless Project
man playing a guitar

Tony Wilson's The Homeless Project

120 min

Combining music, text, still photography, and film to shine a sympathetic light on Canada's urban dispossessed, The Homeless Project is the third in composer, guitarist Tony Wilson's series of multimedia projects addressing pressing social issues.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

FernGully: The Last Rainforest

Dir. Bill Kroyer
136 min

VIFF Kids Club is our monthly family series with films, crafts and more! Doors at 11 am for activities, film at 12. FernGully is a magical adventure where fairy Crysta and her friends seek to protect their rainforest home.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other

Dir. Manon Ouimet & Jacob Perlmutter
100 min

This intimate and candid film by a younger husband and wife artist team is a delicate and immensely moving dual portrait of two artists, husband and wife, together and apart, at that point in life when the end casts a shadow over even the sunniest day.

Image: © Manon et Jacob and Final Cut For Real

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Agatha's Almanac

Dir. Amalie Atkins
86 min

Shot over six years on vibrant 16mm film, Agatha’s Almanac is an artful documentary portrait of filmmaker Amalie Atkin’s octogenarian aunt, who has fashioned herself an endearingly simple and self-sustaining lifestyle on her Manitoba farm.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

Suburban Fury

Dir. Robinson Devor
120 min

Sara Jane Moore was a 1970s housewife who took the unusual step of trying to assassinate the President of the United States. An action that cost her dearly. This is her story.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre