Footage: A Visually Impressive Film That Overcomes Challenges with Freshness

Although the film doesn’t quite deliver on the writing front, the director’s skill in showcasing something unique makes it a valuable experience.

Since the start of 2024, Malayalam cinema has been venturing into new realms in both style and substance. Kicking off with the National Award-winning film Aattam in January, the months that followed showcased a series of bold and successful projects, including Bramayugam, Manjummel Boys, and Gaganachari.

The latest film to join this wave of creativity is Footage, marking the directorial debut of experienced editor Saiju Sreedharan. This film is notable for being Malayalam cinema’s first mainstream exploration of the found footage genre.

Footage begins with a thought-provoking quote from the renowned Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez about the three lives we lead: public, private, and secret. The narrative centers around a lively and curious vlogger couple, portrayed by Vishak Nair and Gayathri Ashok, who capture nearly every moment of their lives, including their more personal experiences.

Set during the year 2020 to 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the story touches on themes of loneliness brought on by lockdowns and limited movement. However, it only skims the surface of those harsh realities, and perhaps that’s for the best. The film unfolds as a collection of evidence related to a crime, presented through the couple’s recorded footage. The first half is viewed from the boy’s perspective, while the second half shifts to the girl’s camera.

Staying true to its promotional claims aimed at an adult audience, the film opens with an explicit lovemaking scene between a couple, filmed in broad daylight from a neighboring building. This sets the stage for Vishak and Gayathri’s characters, who are portrayed as individuals unafraid to invade others’ privacy. They inhabit a charming apartment that reflects their free-spirited lifestyle.

A prominent poster of Kamala Surayya, better known by her pen name Madhavikutty, hangs on their wall, symbolizing an unconventional life that contrasts sharply with the norms of her era. The protagonists, who remain unnamed throughout the film, are driven by an insatiable curiosity, documenting anything that captures their interest.

In a nod to the iconic found footage film The Blair Witch Project (1999), the couple spends their free time exploring urban legends to entertain their modest YouTube audience. Unlike many films in this genre that lean towards supernatural themes, Footage opts for a more grounded narrative approach.

However, like several other films in this style, Footage struggles with its writing, as the story unfolds solely from a first-person perspective. While Saiju and Shabna Mohammed’s screenplay attempts to engage the audience with the couple’s quirky personalities, the moments that showcase their deep affection often feel contrived due to their overly scripted exchanges.

Vishak and Gayathri work hard to bring authenticity to their roles, particularly during their more subtle interactions, complemented by the beautifully understated soundtrack from the band Searching. The actors excel in their voice work, effectively conveying the tension of their characters through breathy gasps as they navigate a precarious situation.

However, as the film progresses into its second hour, it begins to feel prolonged as we explore the couple’s lives further, leading them into a complicated situation involving Manju’s character. Despite being just over two hours long, the film seems to stretch beyond its limits, with the second half lacking in creativity. The scenes featuring a housemaid who serves both Manju and the couple only serve to slow down the film’s pace.

The conclusion surrounding Manju’s character, while thankfully not abrupt, feels uninspired, leaving viewers wondering, ‘Is that all?’ Despite these issues, Manju delivers a strong performance without uttering a single word, skillfully using her expressions to convey her character’s unspoken frustration within her limited role. Her physicality also adds a significant impact to the narrative.

Movie: Footage

Director: Saiju Sreedharan

Cast: Manju Warrier, Vishak Nair, Gayathri Ashok

Rating: 3/5