‘My Melbourne’ review: A mostly bland tour of life Down Under

My Melbourne comprises four short films set in the Australian city but directed by Indian filmmakers. Rima Das, Kabir Khan, Onir and Arif Ali have each helmed stories on the themes of gender, sexuality, race and disability. The films stick closely to the brief, with little variation or indications of individual spark.

Australian actor Arka Das leads Onir’s film about a gay man struggling to come to terms with his mother’s death. In Rima Das’s contribution, a young woman who is gradually losing her hearing finds a way to address her love for dance.

The film by Kabir Khan and Rahul Vohra is about an Afghan refugee family adjusting to their surroundings. In Arif Ali’s film, which has Imtiaz Ali as a creative director, a chef trapped in a bad marriage forges an unusual bond with a homeless woman.

The films emphasise Australia’s embrace of diversity and tolerance towards immigrants. Arif Ali’s Jules – the most memorable film in the anthology – is the only one curious about how immigrants deal with the shock of the new.

Jules is written by Arif Ali, Monique Nair and Shivangi Bhowmick. Arushi Sharma deftly plays Sakshi, one of several chefs at a restaurant. Sakshi hasn’t yet assimilated into Melbourne, a situation not helped...

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