About the project:

An talamh faoi gheasa/ The Enchanted Land  is a unique short film project that intertwines an ancient Indian mythological story with the beauty of the Irish language. The narrative explores themes of transformation, gender identity, migration, displacement, and the eternal quest for balance, offering a rich cultural and linguistic experience.

The tale of King Sudyumna and Ila provides profound poetic and psychological insights into themes such as transformation, gender identity, migration, displacement, and the pursuit of equilibrium. The narrative can be seen as an exploration of gender identity and fluidity. Sudyumna/Ila’s alternating gender underscores the non-binary aspect of gender, indicating that identity is not static but can encompass various manifestations.

Sudyumna’s transformation into Ila and the subsequent timely alternation are powerful metaphors for the psychological experience of displacement and the need for adaptation. This transformation mirrors the challenges faced by migrants and displaced individuals, highlighting the film’s relevance to contemporary issues of identity and self-perception.

The film is brought to life by the captivating performances of Subhashini Goda and Pradeep Mahadeshwar. Subhashini, a talented Bharatanatyam dancer, infuses her unique artistry into the project. Pradeep, a visual artist and performer, enhances the narrative with his visually exciting getups. The film was shot at three distinct historical locations with colonial significance in and around Dublin. It captures the transition from spring to summer, subtly reflecting the tension between migrant body, identity, sexuality, and the unfamiliarity of the Irish landscape to the migrant body.

The final edited version of the film has the story translated into the Irish language and sung in the style of Irish folk singing.