Synopsis
During the Sankranti festival celebrations, a matriarch and her housekeeper confront solitude through the intimacy of each other’s company.
Directed by Raman Nimmala
During the Sankranti festival celebrations, a matriarch and her housekeeper confront solitude through the intimacy of each other’s company.
2026 Watch Series: Around the World in 365 Days: Entry 46 (India 🇮🇳 Film #1) Sundance Film Festival Online Series
Three and a half stars for the togetherness between the women, the impeccable cinematography and sound design (always love a film that makes us feel the environment), and for the killer title card.
I can’t express how beautiful and tender this film is. How it made me feel homesick for a home I’ve never fully known (aside from going back to Hyderabad every Holiday break growing up).
Hearing Telugu, even though I barely understand it, seeing a story take place during the festival (Sankranti) that always is right before my birthday, seeing a story about two women just existing and connecting without needing all the words, without needing to be perfect - I felt so held. It’s so hard to describe.
Raman has told such a beautiful, not often told story. And from the more technical standpoint? Cinematography was excellent, and so patient. Color grading was brilliant, and captured the festival so perfectly without needing a heavy hand.
My favourite film of the festival.
O'Sey Balamma (2026) is a quality start to something more, but as it stands, not a fully realized vision.
Wonderful characterization and staging and deeply, deeply humorous—maybe the very best of the Sundance short films??
Those we let down even if not done with malice intent- made one think about priorities
Sundance Film Festival 2026
Film #27
This failed to interest me so much that I contemplated not rating it at all