Newton

Humour might not be the first thing that springs to mind in relation to a film about streamlining a democratic process. However, director Amit Masurkar has succeeded in making his film Newton into a black comedy, for which he won the CICAE Art Cinema Award at the 2017 Berlin Film Festival.

Newton is a stickler for principles, which doesn’t always make his life easy, for instance when he objects to the marriage that his parents have arranged. However, his principles and punctuality are much valued in his work as a civil servant. He is given a job as a volunteer election worker in one of the most remote and conflict-ridden parts of India. We watch Newton as he successfully confronts the challenges that face the largest democracy in the world with deadpan humour. Thanks to the clever interplay between tension and humour, this film will keep you on the edge of your seat.