The Shameless

The Shameless is adequately gritty for a film about sex workers but it's the central performances that make it stand apart from films that have the similar story of a woman who escapes her lousy life in search of a better, only to end up in the chaos of life. The no-hold-bar approach is interesting here with ample use of Hindi cuss words and an equally radiant production setup. There's a lot to love in The Shameless and to learn from the central character but it's also the character's naivety that teaches you. I was attentive throughout the film and was continuously amazed how a Bulgarian director was able to pull off a film that looks and sounds so Indian. In a way, it shows the power of collaborative cinema. I'll be watching out for these folks.

(Watched at its India premiere at the 2024 MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.)