The Arbit Documentation of An Amphibian Hunt: Aavasavyuham

This was...something unlike stuff I've watched from Malayalam cinema. I'd say it's unlike any other Indian movie, but if it's unlike anything else in Mollywood, it's surely the case with the rest of Indian cinema.

This is a mockumentary style, under-2-hour, film about...the (human) nature, but it's also a fantasy, and the society, and the ecosystem, and it's a revenge story...I don't know...anything more to help explain the plot will potentially spoil it for you. It's several genres into one, and while films that try to do a lot usually fall apart real fast, this one didn't and for that, it's been winning all sorts of awards for Best Film/Screenplay/Director this year, and it's counting.

It's one thing to have a unique way to tell a story but it's a whole new ballgame to make this into a movie bc not everybody may get it...? This, dunno....you've got to watch it to get what I mean. You're either gonna find the storytelling in this one to be fascinating or as a film, this might go way over your head. There's only one way to find out. If you've seen it, I'd love to know your thoughts.

I am a cinephile and I watch atleast one movie per day,as a part of it I got to know about this Malayalam movie as a suggestion. I searched this movie in Google and the poster looked so interesting, so immediately i downloaded the movie. I started watching the movie and from scene to scene the movie was running so interestingly and finally the climax was mind blowing. The cinematography of the movie was so good and the actor as main lead was brilliant,his performance and his looks are backbone of the movie. It was a new kind of movie upto now I didn't saw that kind of film,the directors experiment became a success, every cinephile should must watch this film.

Saw this at the IFFK screening where i went in with not knowing what to expect - and i got out of the theatre with a rare sense of joy.."what did i just witness!". An intricate storyline that has multiple visual styles. A realistic film studded with surrealist elements almost reminiscent of Donald Glover and Hiro Murai's acclaimed series Atlanta. A bold social commentary underlines the plot at every turn and it fails at none. Made in a semi-documentary style (similar to character interviews in the Office series) and thriller & comedic elements throughout the runtime made it an exciting watch. A bit sad that this isn't widely accessible outside the film festival circle and even then only screened at select few festivals- more people need to be able to watch this gem!

Shot in a mockumentary style, this film is super unique. The existence of a unique human set in the backdrop of a very mundane and unspectacular vypin is so rooted in reality. The weaving in of social comemntary like overfishing, land encroachment, unemployment etc also worked well. Nicely told story and a great watch. So happy to see this sort of work coming out of Malayalam cinema.

I sat down for Aavasavyuham with little to no idea on its plot, visual structure, or performers. But as the film progressed episodically, my interest levels peaked. Told in the style of a mockumentary (not seen before in Malayalam cinema), one finds it difficult to place Aavasyavyuham under a specific genre, simply because it dips its feet into so many, yet convincingly. It's a social satire, a science fiction, a crime drama with fantastical elements, and so much more - a true genre-bender. While the lessened budget proves to be its only undoing in certain scenes which could have left a greater impact, the makers still pull off something truly remarkable. I feel that's a major reason behind not releasing the film theatrically - its visuals, especially, would've been talked about a lot more. Rahul Rajagopal, whom I recall from Karikku is splendid in the lead role. Maybe, not everyone would enjoy the film's occasional dive into environmental conversation and preserving ecological balance, but I loved how director Krishand seamlessly incorporates this into the plot. Aavasavyuham is a must-watch!