Evening Shadows
While gay rights and marriage equality has been embraced by most countries, a small town in Southern India lives within a cocoon of traditions and social morality. In such a milieu when a young gay man Kartik, comes out to his mother Vasudha, her entire world comes crashing down. She has no one to turn to dispel her fears and doubts, to understand her loving son’s truth. Moreover as a woman, trapped within a patriarchal conservative society, her biggest challenge is to deal with her dogmatic husband Damodar, and the conservative society around her. ‘Evening Shadows (Surmaee Shaam)’ is a universal story about a mother-son bonding and its emotional strength to withstand the ravages of time and harsh realities.
Director
Sridhar Rangayan wears many caps – of a filmmaker, writer, activist and festival director. He has consistently strived to give a voice to social issues in India through his films, writings and public speaking for over two decades.
His award winning films The Pink Mirror, Yours Emotionally, 68 Pages, Project Bolo, Purple Skies and Breaking Free present hard-hitting social issues with warmth, compassion and humor; and are at the forefront of India’s emergent queer cinema movement. His previous film BREAKING FREE won the National Award for Best editing (non-fiction) and was also selected for the prestigious Indian Panorama by Directorate of Film Festivals, Government of India.
He has served as Jury for prestigious film festivals such as Outfest (USA), Berlinale (Germany), Iris Prize (UK) and Movies That Matter (Netherlands).
Rangayan was one of the Grand Marshals of Montreal Pride 2016 and had the honour of meeting Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He has figured in the list of ‘Global List of LGBT Influencers’ by BFI Flare, UK; ‘5 most influential gay & lesbian Indians’ by Pink Pages, India; and ’21 heroes changing LGBTI Asia for the better’ by Asia LGBT Milestone Awards, Hong Kong.
Festivals/Awards
Barcelona LGTIB Film Festival, Outfest Peru, Rio Gender And Sexuality Festival, Abhimani European Film Festival, Shanghai Pride Film Festival, Midzomergracht Festival, OUT HERE NOW: Kansas City LGBT Film Festival (‘Celebration of Courage’ award), Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival, KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, Outfest Fusion, Roze Filmdagen (‘Free To Be Me’ Award Winner, Runner-Up for Audience Award), Bengaluru International Film Festival, Mardi Gras Film Festival (Runner-Up for Audience Award)