The trailer of Mainak Bhaumik’s Family Album is indeed a commendable effort where almost the entire plot of the film, without a resolution, is spilled in 3 minutes. The frames glow with a golden hue of ad films, the combination of image and sound has the superficiality of a hurriedly done corporate presentation and between the Fab India attire, horn rimmed spectacles and Victoria Memorial, the trailer is an epitome of the normative outlook of contemporary Bengali middle class and their practice of dealing in stereotypes.
But one must really appreciate the efforts of the youngest Bengali director among the current breed to have attempted a film, which William Wyler planned in Hollywood in 1950s and made in the 1960s. But unlike such old fashioned attempts which were too bleak and serious, this film promises to be fresh and up-tempo and tailor made for audience which will deal with disturbing issues with the ease of a pop music video. It is sweet and urban and contemporary and urban and everything else while being very urban! Clap clap!!!
Arup Ratan Samajdar
