This film is part of Free

A Love Supreme

A homage to the director's mother, mistress of the art of making samosas

2001 10 mins Silent

Overview

A film to make your mouth water: director Nilesh Patel's debut short is a sumptuous, hypnotic homage to his mother's cooking, as he films her making samosas. Patel's camera celebrates the skill and precision of each step. Inspired by Raging Bull, it's all shot on 35mm in black and white. The director blends fast cuts to a soundtrack featuring the legendary Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar.

The film was created as a tribute to the director's mother, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, in order to record her dexterous fingers while they were still nimble. Focusing only on her hands and work surface, this ravishing visual essay hymns the traditional techniques handed down over generations.