In the Shadow of the Dog

  • 135'
  • India
  • 2006
Situated against the distant background of the freedom struggle, the film unfolds some bizarre events in a small south Indian village. It is the story of three generations and their different approaches to an unexpected turn in life.
Viswa, a young man, appears in the village claiming to be the reincarnation of Venkatalakshmi’s late husband. The mother-in-law, Nagalakshmi, although very ill is reinvigorated when her son ‘returns’ home. Venkatalakshmi is shocked by seeing a boy her own daughter’s age appearing to be her husband in a new birth, 22 years after his death. The daughter, Rajalaksmi, is angered by the blind faith of her grandmother, but is even more appalled when her mother finally accepts the idea that the newcomer in the village is her late spouse.
The acting is excellent, the visuals superb and the music supports the mood perfectly throughout the film. As with most of Kasaravalli's films, this one resonates with compassion for the human condition, for individuals condemned to live in unfavourable circumstances within traditional communities. The characters in Kasaravalli’s film don’t talk much, but they convey a lot through the director’s poetic cinematic approach, where unspoken emotions provide the drama’s tension. (RS)

Director
Girish Kasaravalli
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
India
Year
2006
Festival Edition
IFFR 2007
Length
135'
Medium
35mm
Original title
Nayi neralu
Language
Kannada
Producer
Basant Kumar Patil
Production Company
Basant Productions
Sales
Basant Productions
Screenplay
Girish Kasaravalli, based on a novel by Dr. S.L. Bhyarappa
Cinematography
S. Ramachandra Aithal
Editor
Manohar
Music
Isaac Thomas Kottukapally
Cast
Pavitra Lokesh, Rameshwari Verma
Director
Girish Kasaravalli
Premiere
European premiere
Country of production
India
Year
2006
Festival Edition
IFFR 2007
Length
135'
Medium
35mm
Original title
Nayi neralu
Language
Kannada
Producer
Basant Kumar Patil
Production Company
Basant Productions
Sales
Basant Productions
Screenplay
Girish Kasaravalli, based on a novel by Dr. S.L. Bhyarappa
Cinematography
S. Ramachandra Aithal
Editor
Manohar
Music
Isaac Thomas Kottukapally
Cast
Pavitra Lokesh, Rameshwari Verma