Sep. 13, 2013|India|110 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Bangla;Fantasy
Description: “Tasher Desh,” a 2012 film, is a unique adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s dance drama, described by director Q (Kaushik Mukherjee) as “Tagore on an acid trip.” The film, which premiered at the Rome Film Festival, was shot in just 25 days on the beaches of Sri Lanka and various ruins in Bengal. It explores broad themes and ideas rather than relying heavily on dialogue.
Q’s visual style is striking, showcasing bold colors and atmospheric black-and-white scenes. However, the film’s staccato editing, split-screen shots, and frequent use of hand-held cameras create an uneven viewing experience. While some visuals are stunning and could stand as art installations, the narrative lacks a cohesive structure.
The dialogue is more declarative than conversational, and some scenes feel excessively edited. Despite this, the soundtrack is dynamic, the performances are solid, and the subtitling is thoughtfully executed, reminiscent of Q’s earlier work, “Gandu.”
The film begins in black-and-white, following a storyteller (Joyraj Bhattacharjee) as he wanders through Kolkata, questioning whether “Land of Cards” has been staged recently. At an empty railway station, he engages in conversations with trains and his own thoughts, further immersing the audience in the surreal narrative.
Cast director: Qaushiq Mukherjee
Cast actor: Anubrata Basu, Joyraj Bhattacharya, Soumyak Kanti DeBiswas, Sayani Gupta, Rii Sen, Imaad Shah, Tillotama Shome, Maya Tideman, Tinu Verghese, Sikaan de Rouge
Original name: তাসের দেশ