Don Palathara's Malayalam Cinema Explores Male Anguish and Routine Violence in Kerala

In his mid-thirties, Don Palathara has emerged as a prominent filmmaker in Malayalam cinema, crafting narratives that reflect life in Kerala while probing themes of male aggression and societal expectations. His films are characterized by black-and-white visuals and prolonged, slow-paced sequences that delve into universal human experiences. Focusing on the Syrian-Christian community, his notable works include Shavam (2015), which examines funeral customs, and Vith (2017), highlighting generational tensions between fathers and sons. His latest projects, Santhoshathinte Onnam Rahasyam (2021) and Everything is Cinema (2021), investigate the complexities of relationships during the pandemic. The former takes place in a car during a pregnancy test, while the latter critiques a toxic marriage through a filmmaker’s perspective. Palathara’s unique visual style eschews close-ups, setting him apart in contemporary Malayalam cinema.