Little Terrorist: A Big Film
Devang Ghia reviews Ashvin Kumar’s Oscar nominated short film Little Terrorist
Little Terrorist (2004)
In an era where just about anyone with a camera phone can make a film, or more likely a short film, it’s an achievement to make a film so good it gets nominated for the Oscars. And that too from a country whose poor Oscar record is second only to its current status at the Olympics!
The film is about a young Pakistani boy who strays onto Indian terrain. Mistaken for a possible terrorist, he is forced to take refuge in a neighboring village. Not that he is welcomed with open arms over there. After a lot of deliberation and trepidation, an old man and his daughter offer him shelter.
There a quite a few exciting moments as the border patrol comes close to weeding him out or when the boy snakes his way through landmines to look for his cricket ball. But it is the final message that makes the film what it is. Communal hatred has been a frequent theme in Indian films. But at the end we are told that beneath the religion-intolerant exterior, we are all good human beings who will look beyond such hateful differences.
The truth as documented here is quite different. We may say that we live in harmony but yet deep down, there are prejudices in out hearts. The old man and his daughter will provide refuge to the Muslim boy even when it means risking their lives but they will not break bread with him; they will traipse over landmines to provide a safe passage to him but will destroy the plate in which the boy has had his food even if they can ill afford it. Few films have been as forthright in this regard as this one.
If there is one grouse I have, it is the length of the film, or rather the lack of it. Methinks, the running time of 15 minutes was conceived first and the strict editing is the means to achieve this end. The story could easily have lent itself to five to ten more minutes of footage.
It stars Julfuqar Ali, Sushil Sharma and Megna Mehta, actors who now deserve a full-length feature as does Ashvin Kumar. And now, I guess I ought to end this review here. At 450 words for 900 seconds, I have already expended 0.5 words for every second of viewing time. Period.
My Rating: 
Your Rating
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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Great review Devang. Very well-written. I remember seeing this film years ago and I totally agree with you. But I think that if a director can make a fine film that says so much that’s just 15minutes long, it’s only an example of his cinematic brilliance! If only idiotic film-makers from Bollywood would learn editing skills, comply and save us from never-ending nonsense films (sigh!)
I think a disclaimer is needed here…the review was written much before Bindra did what he did at Beijing. I am now eating crow
Well, actually thought about putting one….but come to think of it one individual gold in the history of Olympic games doesn’t make us shine. I think Bindra’s gold brings our Olympic record at par with Oscars..
Thank you for this great review.
Please let your readers know that the DVD of LT and Road To Ladakh are available now in shops for the first time in India, along with their making-ofs and a sneak preview of my feature The Forest.
Best. Ashvin.
Like wow! It isnt everyday that a filmmaker himself comments on my review. I am looking forward to watching The Forest.