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Joram

Directed by Devashish Makhija
2022
India
139 minutes
Unclassified 15+
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A labourer in Mumbai goes on the run in this edge-of-your-seat survival thriller that deftly weaves political intrigue with a stylish and propulsive cinematic sensibility.
A labourer in Mumbai goes on the run in this edge-of-your-seat survival thriller that deftly weaves political intrigue with a stylish and propulsive cinematic sensibility. Dasru (Manoj Bajpayee) and Vaano (Tannishtha Chatterjee) are migrant labourers in the sprawling city, doing backbreaking work on a construction site, where they also live with their baby daughter, Joram. A flashback reveals their much happier life five years earlier in the forests of Jhinpidi, Jharkhand. A sadness and a sense of loss permeates, interrupted only by the folk songs they hum. The arrival of Phulo Karma (Smita Tambe), a politician from Jharkhand handing out gifts seems innocent enough at first, but soon sets in motion a devastating series of events. Dasru, with Joram in tow, flees. He is pursued by the jaded, downtrodden Mumbai cop Ratnakar who reluctantly travels across the country in pursuit. Director Devashish Makhija skilfully creates great tension while gradually revealing the political underpinnings of the thrilling action. Ultimately, Joram pointedly questions the cost of development and progress for the powerless – people who have, as Dasru says, “lived here for 2000 years” but can lose it all in a day.
Joram is a thrilling film, beautifully shot, well acted, and an exciting manhunt mystery… for days afterward you'll be thinking back on what you saw.
Ard Vijn, Screen Anarchy
Makhija explores real world concerns such as the plight of tribes in India’s interior; corporate land grabbing, mining and deforestation; the mass displacement of indigenous people; and the rise of Naxalite insurgency against the State. Joram is rooted in the real throughout. There’s an authenticity to places — be it the forests of Jharkhand or the concrete jungle of Mumbai — and people, their clothes, language, songs, belief and culture.
Namrata Joshi, Screen Daily
This Indian corruption thriller sizzles and smokes.
Lou Thomas, Sight and Sound

Special Guests

Devashish Makhija
Director
Devashish Makhija is a filmmaker, screenwriter, writer and poet. He won the Fresh Blood Film Award at the Beaune International Thriller Film Festival for his feature, Ajji (2017) and Best Director and Best Screenplay at Asian Film Festival Barcelona for Bhonsle (2018).
Megha Mathur
Cast
Megha Mathur is a Mumbai-based Indian stage and screen actor who hails from New Delhi. Since completing her acting diploma she has appeared in multiple theatrical productions. Megha’s television work includes Amazon Prime’s Inside Edge among others, and her most recent feature film credits include festival hit The Brittle Thread by Ritesh Sharma – her performance was awarded Best Actress by the New York Indian Film Festival.

Tickets

Thu 15 Jun
8pm
State Theatre
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Book Tickets Cancel
Fri 16 Jun
12:30pm
State Theatre
Assisted Listening
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Book Tickets Cancel
Sat 17 Jun
7:30pm
Hayden Orpheum Cremorne - Cinema 5
Wheelchair
Subtitled
Book Tickets Cancel
Program Strand
Official Competition
Year
2022
Classification
Unclassified 15+
Country
India
Language
In Hindi with English subtitles
Director
Devashish Makhija
Producer
Shariq Patel, Ashima Avasthi Chaudhuri, Anupama Bose, Devashish Makhija
Cast
Manoj Bajpayee, Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub, Megha Mathur
Screenwriter
Devashish Makhija
Cinematographer
Piyush Puty
Editor
Abhro Banerjee
Premiere
Australian Premiere
Genre
Politics & Economics, First Nations, Human Rights, Environmental, Crime, Indian subcontinent, Thriller
Company Credits
Sales Agent: Zee Studios
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