Galan / De – Composition
by Mantra Watsa
Synopsis
An Indian woman recovering from a miscarriage revisits the horror films of her childhood and notices unsettling parallels between the women’s accidents on screen and the scars on her own body. Writing letters to her estranged mother, she links her land and her body as sites of gendered violence, blurring the lines between reality, memory, and myth. Set against the backdrop of nationwide demonstrations against gender-based violence, Galan intertwines personal trauma with a larger critique of Indian society. It explores how the female body, both sacred and systematically oppressed, becomes a battleground for power, resistance, and cultural narratives.
Biography
Born and raised in India, Mantra graduated from the University of Mumbai with a B.A. in English Literature and History. They recently graduated from Doc Nomads, a 2-year master’s degree in documentary filmmaking between Lisbon, Budapest and Brussels (2021 – 2023). In the past, Mantra collaborated with both large-scale and independent fiction film productions as a writer and assistant director. Their exploration of documentary cinema honed their skills as a cinematographer, editor and director. They are looking to explore the line between cinematic realities, and try to use tools of fiction to bring alive fantasy and horror that lurks among us. They are especially taken by themes of the body and sexuality, its plasticity and substance in our present world, and how it unwinds under society’s illusions. Mantra is driven by collaborative initiatives, and wants to build projects with people and communities who share a vision for the future through art. Their latest film, Et Moi, Je Revis (Coming Back to Life) has been selected for its world premier at Hot Docs 2024.