Anuja

Has it got a good message? Yeah, kind of. Does it move me to act upon it? Not really. The movie is powerful for a 23-minute runtime, but it is not powerful enough to stir me. It is rather minimal and pretty in its own little way, but nothing honestly stood out to me about the work. It ends posing a dilemma-a rather huge one at that-but the rest of it? Bland. At least to me it was.

The acting is pretty fine. The characters portrayed have some depth. The screenplay is quite intelligent, to which the shots do sufficient justice. It wouldn't be a "10/10 I recommend," but one could give it a chance.

This short story revolves around two young girls who stay in Indian slums and try to earn their livelihood by working in cloth factories. They try to fight out of this poverty by choosing between education and food (an unfortunate choice that millions face in India) but are confused in this game of instant gratification that penalizes short-term hunger over long-term hunger and poverty.

I expected the movie to have a storyline, either inspiring or sad. But it does not have a close-ended storyline, neither joyous nor sad. It just en-cashes the problems of India, and the producers (big-name producers like Guneet Monga and Priyanka Chopra Jonas) just showcase a short "day-in-the-life" video in a desperate attempt to win some awards.

Road to the Oscars 2025: this is nominated in 1 category best short film.

Anuja was a charming look into a sad truth. Knowing that this is real and that a foundation that helps people like Anuja exist makes you think about how our world is designed. Nonetheless we get a charming little slice of life movie with a great ending.

2 sisters who lost their parents work at a bag factory. One of the sisters are given the opportunity to start in school for only 400 rupees. The sisters try to get the money.

I really liked the cute and believable sisterhood in this movie. Anuja and Palak act believable for their age and their relation and that helps the movie a lot. This is also just a well-made film through and through.

This is a hard truth movie. While it is packed with optimism as you kind of have to in a situation like this, it is hard to think that this is something that happens every day.

I really liked the open ended ending of this movie. Really showing the complexity of the situation the sisters are in. This is not just a moral easy question, it´s hard because you know what the cost is for all the lives involved and if that is something that happens every day it´s hard.

Overall I was charmed by this short. It´s well made and good. It is the most clean Oscar film I have watched so far, but somehow that works for it. It´s nothing insane or special, just competent.

Oscar Predictions: Political undertones, check. When it comes to the academy they like to make a political statement with their choice sometimes and in this case this check a box, but shorts like "A lien"(2022) and "I´m not a robot"(2023) dies the same with a more pro what we want in America angel. This is the winner so far to me. The most clean of the short, pure Oscar bait but it works and it´s good. I root for this!

The short film seems even shorter than it is, because it is so breathtaking. The girls are adorable and their life situation heartfelt. I needed to see this, this part of the world is not unknown to me, but it isn't easy to visualise and understand it. Not even sure I ever really can? It shows true love between sisters and their happiness, while working and living in low standard jobs and housing.

The opportunity offered to the youngest, to step out of her current situation might seem logical to every adult, but it isn't for the young child. Influenced by her employer and the love for her sister makes her decision to leave not easy.

The cliffhangers in the end of the film are necessary, but tough to handle. I want to know what will happen to both the sisters, but I will have ot imagine it for myself. And that power. That makes this movie impact the one who is watching. We have to know, we have to understand, and that is something we have to do by watching actively, and contemplate by ourselves. Dive into the mind of the orphin, what will she do?

This 22-minute short film, nominated for an Oscar, grabbed my attention, and I had high hopes considering its inclusion in such a prestigious global award show.

The story follows two young girls struggling to make ends meet, with one sister being a math genius.

Sajda Pathan and Ananya Shanbhag play the sisters, and they truly bring a breath of fresh air to the narrative. The director has extracted the best performances from these two young talents.

The scene at the mall is engaging, and the celebration afterward beautifully encapsulates their lives. The story authentically reflects real life, which is its true charm. While it doesn't present anything groundbreaking, it remains a sweet watch.

With such a short runtime, it's definitely worth watching-though I wished for a better ending.

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