Meeting in the Mountains (2019)

Meeting in the Mountains is a 30 minute long short film about love and longing in the backdrop of the Himalayas and tells the story of Kolkata, in India. Directed by Nilakshi Sengupta, it is the story about two strangers, who meet at a hill side cafeteria in a new land. While the older friend Rahul likes to talk about the present, the younger friend Nitin seems to prefer everything from the past. Amidst complaints about life and little joys of the past, a strong bond of friendship grows between the two seemingly different men. Nostalgia becomes their common point of discussion - stories of their origin, interest in politics, and most importantly - the food that they both love. Hours are spent in joyous laughter and boisterous evenings. But one fine day, the younger man, Nitin, goes missing. He has left no trace behind. Rahul searches for him everywhere but with no luck. Will Rahul find him eventually? Will Nitin reveal his true reality? This is a film that depicts loss, nostalgia and finally acceptance. Layers of references from old Calcutta (now Kolkata) through music and dialogues bring alive a bond between two strangers who have more in common than those who have known each others for years. Two Bengalis in the arms of the Himalayas, create their own Bengal moments. The film also brings back - folk music of the mountains, folk music of rural Bengal, and a nostalgic, heart breaking song of loss and longing by Tagore, set in the 18th century Tappa style of singing. This film moves beyond life and death, only to focus on what relationships and camaraderie is all about.