Homebound

The first film in our precarity double bill is funded by the British Academy- CNRS Knowledge Frontiers Symposium. Introduced by and with a Q&A afterwards with Dr. Mihika Chatterjee. Based on a famous article published at the high of the pandemic in The New York Times, the film explores structural precarity where caste, religion, class and economic pressures define and limit the lives of the two protagonists. Through the story of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village, one an Indian Muslim and the other a 'low caste' Hindu, chasing a job in the police that promises them the dignity they've long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, along with the months long wait for their results, their precarious situation defines what these young men are allowed to imagine. We follow their lives, and their gradual progress, along with the sudden impact of Covid 19 on their plans. A vibrant, moving film so compelling that Martin Scorsese requested to help with its production. 'The precision, beauty and emotion in the film is built on strong writing … and superb performances.' — Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter.