REVIEWS & PRESS
Review - normal.
Indian Express Article
Many of us associate the idea of a relationship — if not love — with stability. Perhaps, rightly so. The prospect of two people deciding to be together, sharing their solitude and offering each other company, knowing how many spoons of sugar each needs in their coffee (or none at all) invariably seem comforting; to be in an arrangement that gently binds without overwhelming, offers solace without the delusion of a shelter, consoling. Stability is the end goal, the reward if you will, we are all vying to achieve at the end after braving the upheavals.
Review - normal.
Publication - Film Threat
"Normal. is the perfect title for this film, as every single event depicted is, indeed, perfectly normal and predictable. A naturalistic tone and pace deviate from typical stylized film dialog and time compression, the interactions are ordinary, quiet, and not overly emotional, despite the critical nature of the issues. You may, uncomfortably, see something of yourself in the characters. You may wonder if you really sound like that (you do). "
Review - normal.
Publication - From The Intercom
normal. is the most realistic film that I’ve seen during my time at LAAPFF. There’s almost a cinéma vérité-type of reality to the film—where even the most smallest conversations have painfully real awkward flourishes in them that scrub away any witty banter that usually define film dialogue. Director Mragendra Singh captures the banality and frustration of married life with cutting precision.
Review - normal.
Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
It turns out that what’s normal, is a matter of circumstance. A baby certainly changes the circumstances of, well, everything, and NORMAL. is an incredibly thoughtful and honest exploration of growth in marriage. Because, what often ends up happening, is a stubborn denial of the facts. We lash out in unexpected and harmful ways instead of just accepting the situation. NORMAL. might make you uncomfortable at times, but this is precisely the point. Just as Aniket and Leah need to better openly confront their problems, so do each of us.
—Jeremy Gaudette
South Asia Cinema Rising: The Subcontinent at L.A. Asian Pacific Film Festival
Publication - Asian Highway 1
"Mragendra Singh presents Normal., a coming of age film exploring the state of a couple’s relationship shortly after the birth of their daughter. (And yes, the period at the end of the film’s title is intentional.)"
Asian Pacific Film Festival blooms with queer offerings
Publication - Los Angeles Blade
“NORMAL.” is the story of a couple’s struggle to find an intimate connection when a husband is unable to have sex with his wife after watching her give birth to their child. Director Mragendra Singh’s uses his feature film ..."