What’s the Film About?

A personal, candid and moving short film by a mother who wants to tell her son Rehaan (11) and daughter Mitra (8) about an uncomfortable subject: inappropriate touch. She chooses to do this during a camping trip, when the three are physically close to each other, first in the car and then in a cozy tent.

Mother and filmmaker Poorva Bhat doesn’t make it easy for herself—she gives the children room to respond in a natural, defensive way and to question her. This happens with humor and self-reflection, and leads to discussions about her role as a parent and the dynamics between her and the children, and between the children themselves. Her daughter, for example, accuses her of favoring Rehaan.

The process of filmmaking also plays a role in the conversation, but doesn’t disturb the intimacy of the family. Not even when Mitra keeps forgetting that she’s supposed to pretend the camera and the person behind it are not there.