Review: Fedora’s Wrinkles, Naina, Meet Mr. Chang (★★★½)

At the heart of Cannes 2025, amid the glitz and glamour of big-ticket premieres, emerged a quieter, more reflective offering that tugged at the conscience more than the camera: Fedora’s Wrinkles, Naina, Meet Mr. Chang — a trio of socially resonant short films produced by Eram Faridi under her banner, Erams Entertainment. This anthology does not scream for attention; instead, it draws you in with its raw emotion and unfiltered humanity. The three films are distinct in theme and setting, yet unified by an undercurrent of social justice and a deep compassion for the unheard. Fedora’s Wrinkles, directed by Ashwin Kaushal, is a layered portrait of aging and lost identity. With a standout performance by Sushmita Mukherjee as Fedora Gomes — a former sex worker confronting the folds of her past — the film is both unsettling and intimate. Ali Asgar and Manish Wadhwa add quiet strength in supporting roles. The cinematography lingers on textures — skin, cloth, time — while the haunting background score by Harshveer Oberoi stitches the unspoken grief into a somber rhythm. Though at moments the pace feels indulgent, the emotional payoff is worth the wait. Naina, helmed by Suman Guha, is the most poetic of the three. It follows a girl with impaired vision, played with tender restraint by Heera Sohal, as she navigates societal darkness with a light that is her own. Set in a rural Rajasthani landscape, the film is evocative and gentle, though slightly predictable in its arc. Guha’s direction, however, ensures that the emotion remains rooted and never theatrical. The use of natural sound and earthy color palettes complements the narrative, making it a subtle standout. Meet Mr. Chang, again directed by Ashwin Kaushal, delivers a timely narrative on xenophobia and social alienation. Chien Ho Liao as Mr. Chang, a man of Chinese descent in India during the pandemic, gives a performance that is restrained yet deeply moving. The film's strength lies in its restraint — it doesn't preach, it pleads. With supporting turns by Adi Irani and Rraj Patil, this short is as much about the prejudices we inherit as the humanity we forget. The final scene, with Mr. Chang offering kindness where he receives hostility, leaves a lasting lump in the throat. Eram Faridi deserves applause for curating and producing this anthology with intention and integrity. She doesn’t chase cinematic gimmicks but offers grounded, relevant stories that challenge the viewer to reflect. While the anthology has minor inconsistencies in tone and pacing, it more than makes up with its sincerity and emotional weight. Not every film needs a grand climax or a sweeping score to make a point. Sometimes, it takes a wrinkle, a glance, or a name whispered in pain. Fedora’s Wrinkles, Naina, Meet Mr. Chang is one such quietly courageous collection.