Cat Sticks

Cat Sticks is a compelling black and white Indian drama film released in 2019. Directed by Ronny Sen, the film stars Tanmay Dhanania, Joyraj Bhattacharya, and Sumeet Thakur. The heart of the movie lies in the grim struggle for survival of Kolkata's drug addicts and their intricate relation with addiction.

The film is a raw, realistic, and visually potent dive into the underbelly of Kolkata’s drug scene. Cat Sticks weaves together multiple narratives of drug-addicted misfits who roam the city streets at night, each trying to survive their own personal battles. The story oscillates between the harsh realities of addiction and the desperate need to escape its grips. The drug furnishing tranquility also serves turmoil, making the film’s narrative an intimate exploration of the duality of substance abuse.

Tanmay Dhanania, known for his roles in groundbreaking Indian independent cinema such as Brahman Naman and Garbage, delivers a riveting performance that captures the turmoil of a young man entangled in a dangerous world. His character appears to be dazed and lost, pulled unwillingly by the strong tide of addiction. He walks the line between hope and despair, fighting to retain his humanity.

Joyraj Bhattacharya and Sumeet Thakur play key supporting roles. Bhattacharya executes his role convincingly and naturally, making the viewers privy to the brutal reality of the characters' lives. On the other hand, Thakur's performance provides a measure of relief and lighter moments, showcasing a more vulnerable and human side to the lives of these drug-addicted individuals.

Director Ronny Sen merges these independent narratives seamlessly into a single entity, creating a narrative where audience members find themselves constantly nodding at the relatability of emotions depicted on screen. Despite the physically destructive effects of drugs depicted in the film, the characters relentlessly Dogged by their addiction, it becomes less about the drugs and more about their desperate search for hope, companionship, and a chance at redemption.

The cinematography is symbolic; the use of black and white precisely portrays the bleak, discordant life of Kolkata's underbelly. The empty roads, the eerily calm city after dark, the watery bylanes, and the hopeless faces combine to create a visual understanding of the desolation embedded in the narrative. Yet, amid the darkness, there are glimpses of humanity which are beautifully woven in scenes during the monsoon rain, effectively elevating the dark and desperate tone of the film into something profound.

The score composed by Oliver Weeks is hauntingly beautiful, amplifying the raw and visceral moments on screen. The music mirrors the film’s stark and bleak aesthetic, echoing the hollowness of its characters’ lives, hinting at the fact that their dreary routines, drenched in addiction, have become a never-ending cycle of desolation.

Set against the backdrop of an ever-bustling city that doesn't know these souls exist, Cat Sticks excels at detailing despair. Nevertheless, it is not merely a tale of despair but also one of survival and redemption. It paints a grim but compelling picture of human grit and resilience. The rain, serving almost as a second character, provides the lone spikes of positivity in an otherwise bleak landscape, sowing seeds of redemption and hope.

In a short runtime of 94 minutes, Cat Sticks ends up being more than a film. It is a socio-cultural commentary that urges the audience to notice the overlooked, the ignored, the misunderstood. It reminds us of the stark reality that every shining city has a dark underbelly where lives teeter on the edge, where every single day is a struggle for survival. Despite the themes of addiction and bleakness, the film subtly weaves in elements of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest corners, humanity finds a way.

Whether you appreciate it for its bold narrative, for the stark monochrome aesthetic, or the haunting performances by the cast, Cat Sticks is certainly a significant piece of cinematic art. It’s a poignant illustration of life on the fringes of society, delivering a raw, gritty, yet beautiful portrayal of Kolkata under a moonlit sky, which otherwise remains unnoticed and forgotten.