Axone, the new independent feature on Netflix, is directed by Nicholas Kharkongor and stars Sayani Gupta, Vinay Pathak, Dolly Ahluwalia, Lin Laishram, and Adil Hussain as the primary cast. Produced by Yoodlee Films, the film premiered at the London and the Mumbai Film Festival back in 2019 and directly landed on the global streaming giant without a theatrical release. On the technical side of things, Parasher Baruah takes care of the camera, with Tajdar Junaid as the music director, and Suresh Pai as the editor. Axone Netflix Axone Movie Review
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The narrative of Axone – the film is about a group of friends, who hail from the unexplored North-Eastern states of India, making a living in the urban city of New Delhi. The entire movie takes place within a day as the group plan a wedding party for their friend, and struggle to prepare a traditional Nagaland food called Axone.
Axone, traditionally known as Akhuni, is a strong-smelling dish, made by fermenting soya bean and smoked pork, creates stress amongst the gang primarily because of its pungent odor. As the narrative advances, the rest of the movie reveals if or how the friends successfully make the delicacy.
Although the primary plot of the film focuses on the friends preparing for the wedding, it also highlights the lives and experiences of our very own brothers and sisters from the north-eastern states and how they’re seen and treated in a Metropolitan City like New Delhi. Regardless of Nicholas Kharkongor’s objective of portraying the problems they face every day, it is evident that they are still considered as outsiders and are not treated with respect.
With the pandemic keeping us confined to our homes and with the United States of America battling both the old and new virus collectively, the old virus being racism and police brutality. The unfortunate and tragic death of George Floyd triggered vital protests globally, and we witnessed the entire world as a united force against racism, including a few Bollywood celebrities, taking moral high grounds, and condemning the act.
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However, they are biased and blind to the prevailing problems within our very own country. Every other day, a bunch of North-Eastern people are teased for their looks, and Bollywood ridicules and parodies South-Indians in their films, and in real-life, people from the North verbally abuse people from the South for their skin color. Still, celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, etc. are one way or another, kept their silence on this critical issue.
And this is exactly what Nicholas Kharkongor tries to portray with his narrative subtly. On the bright side, Axone also showcases the positive side of things, cause there are still some people around, who are good at heart and are welcoming of people who hail from the distant corners of our country. Sticking true to its meaning, and the dish itself, Axone serves as a metaphor to the entire film, that despite the pungent smell, the food tastes good. And despite some foul behavior, there are still multiple pure souls taking care of our North-Eastern men and women.
More on the positive side of things, the entire setting of the movie felt very natural, and not even a single scene seemed staged or made to act for the sake of the film, as Kharkongor quartered a ton of effort to make it look like a regular day in the lives of certain peeps. And the actors have understood their part in the narrative properly and performed accordingly.
Furthermore, with the runtime just under 100 minutes, Axone takes you through the day in the life of a North-Easterner. Despite its short runtime, the film feels slow-paced, owning to the fact that it runs through a group of friends’ attempting to throw a wedding party.
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Overall, Axone couldn’t and shouldn’t be compared to mainstream cinema, it has its share of feel-good and funny moments, yet the main ambition of making a statement against racism towards our people is showcased well. The film takes time to adjust, and it might feel difficult for a certain set of an audience who anticipates a rapid-paced narrative. It is mellow and works like a charm if you are patient, and take time to notice the level of friendship people share and how they defend themselves from unfavorable situations. Watch ‘Axone’ on Netflix here.
Images via Yoodlee Films
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Wow...so well written review. Makes me want to watch the film irrespective of how it is. Films like this create a momentary awareness and then people are back to normal i.e. north Indians showing racism towards south Indians whilst white in US showing the same onto Black people.