In This Life, the short film directed by Shivam Jemini, continues to make waves with its recent selection for the prestigious 19th Tasveer Film Festival & Market 2024, an Oscar-qualifying festival. Beyond its poignant story, the film’s visual identity plays a crucial role in its emotional depth. Much of this is thanks to Arya Singhal, the talented colourist behind the film’s striking contrasts between past and present.
Arya Singhal, who served as the Colourist, Creative Producer, and one of the cinematographers on the short film In This Life, has expressed her excitement about the film’s recent selection at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival & Market 2024, an Oscar-qualifying film festival.
Arya Singhal’s Approach to Colour in In This Life
Reflecting on the film, Arya shared how her collaboration with Shivam began. “When Shivam and I discussed the idea of having two different cinematographers and using different color palettes for the present and past, I thought it was a fantastic idea,” Arya explained. “We wanted to create a clear distinction between time periods, and this approach worked beautifully.”
In This Life employs a unique visual style: the present is depicted in black and white, representing the stark reality of the characters’ lives, while the past is shown in vibrant color, symbolizing their memories, youth, and emotions. This artistic choice adds depth to the story and allows the audience to feel the contrast between what was and what is.
The decision to shoot the present in black and white was one Arya found intriguing from the start. “The use of black and white for the present day was meant to show the emotional numbness the characters feel. It strips away the distractions and leaves you with their raw, unfiltered emotions,” she said. “The past, on the other hand, is rich with color because that’s where all the love and joy still live, even if it’s only in memory.”
As both the creative producer and a cinematographer for some parts of the film, Arya played a key role in bringing the director’s vision to life. She worked closely with the team to ensure that every shot resonated with the intended emotional and visual contrasts. The collaboration of two cinematographers allowed for a more nuanced representation of the story’s dual timelines.
The other cinematographer, Sushrut Koche, played a key role in bringing this vision to life, working closely with Arya to ensure the distinct visual tones for both time periods. “Sushrut and I collaborated closely to ensure that each timeline felt visually different, yet emotionally connected,” Arya added.
Arya praised the entire team for their dedication to the project, which allowed the film to reach the high level of recognition it’s now receiving. “It was an intense process, but it was worth every moment,” she said. “Seeing the film selected at an Oscar-qualifying festival like Tasveer is a huge achievement for all of us. It’s a validation of the effort and passion we put into making this film.”
For Arya, this project is not just about technical achievement, but about contributing to a meaningful story. In This Life explores themes of love, loss, and freedom, themes that resonate deeply with many. “The way Shivam told this story, it wasn’t just a typical narrative. It had layers, and it was important for us as a team to visually represent that,” Arya said. “I think the visual style, along with the story, really pulls you in and makes you feel the emotional journey of the characters.”
As the film continues its journey through festivals, the excitement around its selection at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival has opened doors to more opportunities. Arya remains hopeful about the film’s future, noting that every festival selection is a step toward broader recognition. “Getting selected at Tasveer is an honor,” Arya shared. “It’s the kind of platform that gives films like ours the visibility and respect they deserve. It will be exciting to see where the film goes next.”
As In This Life continues to make waves, its selection at Tasveer has reaffirmed Arya’s belief in the power of collaboration and creative storytelling. “It’s always special when a film you’ve worked so hard on gets recognition,” Arya said. “We’re telling an important story, and I’m proud to have been part of that process.”
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