OTT platforms have now become a part and parcel of our day-to-day life. Streaming shows and movies is our idea of fun. Long before OTT platforms came into the picture, it was YouTube that gave us our first taste of online streaming. The OG online platform offered trailers, songs, movies, etc to entertain its audience and YouTube Short Films became the launchpad for many directors to begin their careers.
YouTube short films are small-duration films. These short films are usually fictional dramas based on the social and political realities of the world. We have made a list of 5 of our top favourite YouTube short films over the years that we absolutely love and rewatch time and again.
1. The Jog
Released in 2019 this film explores the themes of racial discrimination in a realistic way. A man of colour gets accepted into the police academy, which has been his dream for many years. He then goes for a routine jog where he finds a woman who is being troubled. He fights the White man with a gun troubling the woman. When the police arrive, they assume he is at fault.
This movie was released at a time when conversations on racial equality were a part of the mainstream and spread like a wildfire. The impactful ending of the short film will move you.
2. Juice
Juice is a 2017 YouTube short film written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. Stumbled upon this masterpiece because of Shefali Shah who plays the role of Manju Singh, a homemaker.
Based in an Urban household which is similar to most metropolitan societies, this film depicts the patriarchal nature of the society and the misogyny of this setting. The plot of the film revolves around a guest meal and there’s thick tension with regard to that evening. Shefali Shah, as usual, stuns you with her mind-blowing performance. If not for anything else, this is a must-watch short film to witness the magic of Shefali Shah.
3. Chutney
Going by the title of the film, Chutney is a roller coaster ride which is partly sweet, partly tangy but fully flavourful. Directed by Jyoti Kapur Das and made by Royal Stag Barrel, a YouTube channel famous for its short films, Chutney is a short film made on the theme of infidelity.
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The film revolves around the life of Hussain who is married to an “average” woman Chopra, who according to her husband is not stylish and attractive. Hussain has an affair with Dugal who is a young housewife and he is blown by her beauty. Following an invitation from Chopra, Dugal visits her to enjoy some Pakoras and Chutney while Dugal narrates a story on love and infidelity with a strange conclusion. What does Chopra know and what are her intentions, you can only know after watching the short film.
4. On my way
On my way is a horror drama that is not for the faint-hearted. The short film is a story of a policeman who is on his way to a Halloween party. As he heads to the party, he notices that the entire city has gone crazy.
When people go crazy during Halloween, it is not a good sign because a major chunk of the time, one does not know whether it is genuine or only a staged performance keeping in mind the emotions of people during this time. This confusion leads to a turn of events in the film with a possible death. Another noteworthy thing about this short film is that it has been shot in a single shot. Watch this short film to heighten the tension within you.
5. Interior Cafe Night
Interior Cafe Night is a sinning star in the short film universe. Directed by Adhiraj Bose this film has the power to break your heart and warm it up at the same time. Shernaz Patel, Naveen Kasturia and Shweta Basu are seen portraying important roles in the short film but the limelight was stolen by Naseeruddin Shah‘s eyes telling a tale of disappointment and helpless. These eyes will haunt you for many days after.
Interior Cafe Night is a short film based in a cafe in Kolkata where it explores two love stories of two entirely different couples. The short film ends with a beautiful smile and will let you feel warm for a long long time.
These 5 short films are truly a gem. They tell so much in so little time that you might need more time to take in the film than the actual duration of the film.
Tell us in the comments section below which your favourite short films and we will quickly get on a binge-watching spree.
