A fellow artist, rapper, and social activist Sofia Ashraf performed live to a series of 16mm experimental films, made for her music.  These films were made as part of a project called ‘Caffenol 7266’. All the films use celluloid as a medium, using hand developing techniques and found footage. The film was developed at the Harkat lab using a concoction of easily found chemicals and coffee (called Caffenol). The films are meant to be played off our 16mm projector with Sofia performing live. The process of making was chosen keeping in mind the importance of keeping the work ‘homespun’, the thought ‘honest’ and to bring the labour of making into the visuals, hopefully making conscious meaning of the work.

A collage of faces, an amalgamation of emotions. laughter, pain, unease. A smile, a twitch, an itch. Are you alright is a song that talks about depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. The many faces we see on screen reflect the multitude of emotions that we experience and the ones we try so hard to suppress and hide. It’s time we emote more freely and let ourselves and those around us know, it’s okay to not be alright.

This is a digital compromise.

Vocals: Sofia Ashraf
Composer: Supura Sensei

Developed at: The Harkat Lab
Edited by: Sapan Taneja, Pranav Premani

Conceptualised as an experiment, Deen is a film made by combining haggard pieces of film found in the alleys of chor bazaar (the thieves market) of Mumbai. The historical surprises contained within helped slowly bring about a context to the narrative. Made as an attempt to comment on power dynamics and the role they continue to play in India’s political structure, Deen reflects on how India has evolved and questions where it might be going.

This is a digital compromise.

Vocals: Sofia Ashraf, Malavika Manoj
Composer: Sapta
Violins: Shravan Shridhar

Film by: Tanya Dixit
Edited by: Tanya Dixit, Ritika Dwivedi
Produced by: Harkat Studios

Have you ever taken a camera to ‘capture’ India? Do you think it’s exotic? This one’s for you.

This is a digital compromise.

Vocals: Sofia Ashraf
Composer: Rahul Alam

Film by: Karan Talwar
Developed at: The Harkat Lab
Edited by: Karan Talwar
Produced by: Namrata Sanghani, Harkat Studios

Who defines what is “cool”?

Embroidery bitch rebels against gender attributes that hijack the parameters of “coolness”. It spotlights women’s inherent coolness that reflects in the most mundane of chores they do in their daily life. It attempts to reclaim and redefine cool by celebrating all things we think are hella cool, especially Embroidery.

This is a digital compromise.

Vocals: Sofia Ashraf
Composer: Rahul Alam

Film by: Karan Talwar
Developed at: The Harkat Lab
Edited by: Karan Talwar
Produced by: Namrata Sanghani, Harkat Studios

All the world’s a selfie and everyone’s a troll.

16mm selfie was made using 16mm film footage from the 1950’s found in forgotten corners of storages in Mumbai’s Thieves Market (Chor Bazaar).

Most recently screened at the Oberhausen Film Festival 2020 as part of the MuVi programme.

This is a digital compromise.

Vocals: Sofia Ashraf
Composer: Supuru Sensei

Film by: Karan Talwar
Produced by: Harkat Studios