Written and directed by UAE-based actor-filmmaker Rajj M Rao, Calling – The Escape Begins Within is a short film that explores the theme of mental wellness!
Starring Natalia Melynk, the film has been celebrated globally at several film festivals for its powerful storytelling and the sensitive handling of the subject has won the film and the filmmaker more than 20 international awards across Cannes, Italy, India, UK, US, Sweden and Malaysia, amongst others.
“Calling is that difference between being lonely and being alone! Being alone is a choice, but feeling lonely is a perspective and no one should feel lonely in their struggles,” says Rajj sharing his inspiration behind making Calling. The impactful short film is currently available on Pocket Films (YouTube) and if you haven’t seen this gem of a film already then here’re 5 reasons to add it to your must-watch list!
Check out: Calling – The Escape Begins Within
(Use your best sound device for an immersive experience)
IMPACTFUL STORY & STORY-TELLING
Calling takes you through the silent struggles of a young designer who finds herself burdened by creative blocks due to some external factors that somehow take a toll on her creative processes. Despite her daily turmoil, she forces herself to maintain a positive outlook pushing herself to keep going forward. But with no solution in sight, the struggle to stay optimistic seems to get tougher with each passing day, until one day she decides to take things in her own hand!
The powerful story-telling – keeps the narrative sharp and engaging through its runtime! Inspired by the filmmaker’s own true story, the film grips you from the word go right till the end and the well-etched cliffhanger moments reflect the filmmaker’s strong hold on the subject and the craft as a director.
COMPELLING PERFORMANCE
Natalia delivers a nuanced heartfelt performance that grasps your heart and tugs at your emotional chords. Communicating complex emotions through subtle expressions and body language, you cannot help but feel her struggle and her helplessness. She excels within the short span and with minimal dialogues and minus the over-dramatization!
RAW, REAL & RELATABLE
At its core, Calling tells a deeply personal and emotionally resonant story with a realistic take on inner struggles. A powerful exploration of self-doubt and toxic positivity, the film strikes a chord with urban professionals who often find themselves dealing with these issues but never talking about them. A sharp look at the conflict arising out of navigating self-worth and purpose, not realising that sometimes they are carrying burdens of their own doing – trying to live up to family expectations and living up to self-imposed bars of success. The self-doubt and fear of not being enough is universal that most will relate to!
“Calling is my letter to every person who’s felt isolated, misunderstood, or emotionally paralyzed despite being surrounded by love. I want them to know that they are not alone in their struggles. I commend them for putting on a brave face every day and I want them to take their power back. This is also a letter to those on the other side – the friends and family who keep reaching out to someone who won’t answer. Their reaching out matters more than they know.”
– Rajj M Rao
LONG-LASTING IMPACT THROUGH VISUALLY GRIPPING DIRECTION
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its relatability and the direction. Backed by an immersive screenplay Rajj beautifully takes viewers into the tango between the character’s conscious and sub-conscious self effectively using metaphors and monochromatic colour palette. Shot within a span of 12 hours and at one location alone, interestingly it’s the same house where Rajj went through his own experiences for close to four years. Through tight framing and layered sound design, Rajj manages to take you closer into the character’s life, showcasing his technical and emotional grip on handling the sensitive subject allowing viewers to see parts of themselves reflected on screen.
The narrative is concise yet powerful, proving that a short film can leave a lasting emotional impact without relying on excess dialogue or overdramatization. There is an honesty with which emotions are presented.
SENSITIVE EXPLORATION OF MENTAL HEALTH
Calling approaches mental health with a sensitivity that keeps it real, avoiding stereotypes or oversimplification. It makes the viewer realise how common these underlying issues actually are. Instead of victimisation, it becomes a journey encouraging empathy and understanding. This respectful portrayal is one of the key reasons the film has resonated with audiences globally and continues to make an impact socially.
The take-away is what makes this short film so unique. More than just a short film, Calling is an experience worth feeling!