Imago
Namrata is a shy, introvert teenage girl living in a small village with her mother and grandfather. She is suffering from leucoderma or vitiligo, a skin abnormality. White spots on dark skin have set her aside from others. Weird, sympathetic, penetrating ‘normal’ eye sights have made her feel guilty and embarrassed for who she is and how she looks. Each and Every day is passing in hiding, and nights are overshadowed with utter embarrassment. She is not expecting a way out of her mundane life.
One fine day a young and vibrant teacher joins her school. A fine young man with strong belief in freedom and self-pride, he creates space for Namrata to breathe freely. She finds solace in his gaze, relief in his presence. Her isolated bubble is about to dissolve in ether. Romance is kindling teenage desires.
Unfortunately, not every desire is achievable and Namrata is no exception to this rule. Too much at stake, too much to lose…
Destinations seem far away, but the journey prevails… the complexes, the taboos, the inner conflicts are about to resolve… making her in to a different being altogether.
Director
Karan Chavan
A painter and a filmmaker, Karan has 6 years of experience in film making, video commercials and contemporary arts. He has written and directed five short films which have won several national level awards. Imago is his debut film.
Vikram Patil
A painter, cinematographer and filmmaker, Vikram has 6 years of experience in film making, video commercials and contemporary arts. Before his debut in Imago he has worked four short film as cinematographer and one short film as director.
Director’s note: What does beauty really mean? And how does one define it? Two questions that have often run through my mind. You and I can agree to disagree if you have a slightly different opinion than mine but the truth is that I too have varying definitions.
Probably because I’m a painter. I see beauty in everything, even the most inanimate objects and even things that aren’t popularly seen or termed as beautiful.
Take for instance, Vitiligo. I find it beautiful. Particularly, the people who endure the condition.You may see them as patches, but I see them as butterflies.
I have tried to convey this very feeling through my film Imago. A story about a girl who, as I like say, has many butterflies on her body. It makes her look different in the eyes of others. Even though she is similar to her peers in every other way as she wants to love, make friends, play,
laugh, enjoy. But she is afraid. Unaware of her beauty, the fear constantly meddles with her self-esteem.
The question is, why the fear? Maybe it’s the indifference of the world we live in, that tends to see beauty through a particular lens. Anything outside is considered not so beautiful.
But the truth is, someday, she’ll have to come out of her cocoon. She’ll have to fight the indifference. She must grow her wings and fly. And she does, thanks to the wonderful yet melancholic effects of love.
So come take this beautiful journey and ponder over your idea of beauty.
Festivals/Awards
Jio MAMI Mumbai International Film Festival