Cast: Chemban Vinod Jose, Vinay Fort, Jaffar Idukki
Music: Sreerag Saji
Direction: Lijo Jose Pellissery
Churuli (meaning spiral) starts with an animated story about a monk entering into a forest to catch a phantom, but ends up circling round and round losing track. Similar to this prologue, Antony (Chemban Vinod Jose) and Shajivan (Vinay Fort) are entering into a forest in search of a criminal. We see the aerial view of the forest with an exotic drone shots and also see the close-ups of the terrain. The sequence of Antony and Shajivan going to the village in the jeep is shown with so much detailing. The sequence makes us go into the forest along with the characters and also indicates how difficult it is for the characters to go inside.
The film is an immersive experience with amazing cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan, nuanced sound design and intriguing background score. Lijo Jose Pellissery’s signature long tracking shots are part of the film. The editing is subtler compared to his previous films, but adds a psychedelic effect to the experience.
Another Lijo Jose’s signature is the dark humour. In this film too we get superb dark comedy despite the genre being sci-fi mystery. The whole idea and sequence of converting a toddy shop to a church is interesting and hilarious. Lijo Jose Pellissery manages to pull off yet another unique out-of box film, but this time with a very few characters on screen. Despite narrating the story in animated prologue, the film is constantly intriguing letting you in awe at the end of the film.
Verdict: Churuli is an abstract and psychedelic experience
Cinephile's Amigo 