See Gul

My friend Adnan, who I have previously blogged about, is touring the film festival circuit with his new animated short, Gul (flower). Next up is the Slamdance Festival in Utah starting Jan 22nd.

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“Gul” (flower) A short film by Adnan Hussain (Trailer 2) from Adnan Hussain on Vimeo.

Gul, a young girl, is awakened by her mother’s dying breath. She struggles to recall her past. A child’s view illustrates conflicts between abuse, self determination, human rights, and the environment. Her world manifests through visual poetry. Raw, expressive, painted style computer animation is scored with masterful Sindhi Folk music from the villages of Pakistan. With all that she finds, can love create hope in the face of oppression? [Link]

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p>I am really excited by this film for two reasons. First, Adnan is a phenomenal talent and I think more people should be exposed to that. When we used to go out to bars/music venues in LA he would bring his water colors. In the time it took me to down a glass of whiskey he had already completed a painting of the band on stage. Who needs a camera in their phone when you have skills like that? Second, the movie “looks” really original. I can’t remember seeing anything else that has the look and feel of the film that I am seeing in the trailer above. If I recall correctly, Adnan also worked on the 2007 film Beowulf.

If you get a chance to see this film let us know what you think.

10 thoughts on “See Gul

  1. Sindhi folk music rocks! So great to see Adnan get some much-deserved attention for his amazing talent!

  2. I met Adnan one day when he visited an NGO I’ve been volunteering at in Delhi. He taught the kids about animation, and then showed them the movie. He’s a great guy, and his film is absolutely beautiful. I hope it gets the attention that it deserves!

  3. Sounds like another all visual crappy plot line piece of relativistic secular suck up garbage. 🙂

  4. Oh wow, I just saw this. Thanks Abhi! I’m in India these days working with different NGOs doing volunteer work and on the side, some preproduction for my next short film. I think more cute little Indian slum dwelling children have seen this film than audiences stateside so far, but it’s slowly making its way out there. Slamdance will be festival #5 for Gul and I hope it continues.

    It’s been a great ride so far. Seeing complete strangers in 4 countries connect the story to their own lives and emotions has been amazing. Feel free to add comments as I’ve really enjoyed hearing people’s responses (even Jake’s 🙂 ). Thanks for the kind words and well wishes everyone, 🙂

  5. Just a quick link. The film is online now:

    http://www.madguru.net/gul/screen.php

    Meant as a sort of visual poetry, it is intended for your interpretation. While I have my own specific ideas behind each element of the film, it is what connects to you and your life that I hoped to reach with this story. Feel free to share your thoughts and interpretations. It has enjoyed screenings in several countries and awards, but more than anything I love to hear what people feel and see in it.