a short film by Soman Chainani 2007 | 14 mins | India - US ›› Kali Ma retribution time for a homophobic bully; Kali Ma style. Part comedy, part thriller, this vibrant mix of mediums details an Indian mother busy preparing an evening meal more banquet than take-in, unaware that her student son is lying naked on the changing room floor, the victim of a vicious attack at the hands of the homophobic school bully. Seeking refuge in his bedroom upon his return home, it isn't long before Kali Ma discovers the truth, courtesy of the perpetrator having signed the bloody body of his victim 'Property of King' style. Seeking out Kings' home to let his parents know exactly how she feels, she finds instead the boy alone who to his peril, treats her with the same disdain as her son. Yet with King now fearing for his own life by way of a cat fight, Dynasty style, could it be that justice is about to be served, Kali Ma fashion? With a title that refers to the mythological Hindu goddess of death and destruction, it's a sure case of retribution time here. Or to quote the official tagline: "hurt the mother, the wounds she'll take, but hurt the child and Kali awakes." And to that end and whilst Brendan Bradley of Latch Key and Redwoods fame is on fine form as King, it is noted Bollywood star Kamini Khanna who steals the show as the crazed mother of the piece; one moment happily dancing to the sounds of the Best of Bollywood and the next showing King that with a swimming pool in sight, he's simply - in too deep! Well-shot and staged throughout, writer and director Soman Chainani of Davy and Stu credit here delights in leading you a merry dance, posing the issue of whether Kali Ma has, or has not, put a permanent end to the homophobic bullying of King. And whilst the humour is dark, it's so over-the-top that you cannot help but smile, in a work that questions the true nature of the relationship between the aggressor and the victim. Delightful. available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue - 'Boys on Film 2: In Too Deep' release: 17.August.2009 / UK. starring: Brendan Bradley as Peter King, Manish Dayal as Santosh and Kamini Khanna as Kali Ma. official website: nopressureproductions.com Copyright 2009 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #216 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹