Only if the Baby Cries…
Shadab Farooq
India | 2024 | 15 min
Credits:
Directing: Shadab Farooq
Cinematography: Sahib Syed Goni
Editing: Sahib Syed Goni, Shadab Farooq
Sound: Caster Rinoy Gomez
Production: Public Service Broadcasting Trust / Rajiv Mehrotra
Synopsys:
In the secluded Himalayan village of Dhadkai in Jammu and Kashmir, many people can’t hear or speak. Misra Khatoon and Mohammad Iqbal, a young couple in their 20’s, brace themselves with fear, anxiety and hope as they approach childbirth. As the time for the birth approaches, people gather around their home, creating noise with drums, utensils and whistling — a tradition to test the newborn’s response, who if — as per their beliefs and experiences — cries loudly but keeps the eyes closed for the first two days, might be deaf. However, confirmation may take around 6 months of careful observation.
Festivals and Awards:
- Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival / Short Joy / Czech Republic / 2024 / Short Joy (Best Short Documentary)
- Slamdance Film Festival / Documentary Shorts / , USA / 2025 / Honorable Mention
- Chennai International Documentary and Short Film Festival / Documentaries / India / 2025
- Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFICI) / International Official Competition / Argentina / 2025
- SIMA Awards / Short Documentary / 2025
- TOTO Awards / Short Film / India / 2025 / Winner
- Documentarist / Istanbul, Turkey / 2025