the pen(2023)
This is a story about a very special pen called Max and a very broken young man named Samuel. Max is a sort of pen with a rare magic of consciousness and Samuel is a sort of young man with severe anxiety and depression. He believes academic success is the only success in life. He failed his tenth standard exam twice in a row. As Samuel heads possibly towards his third failure in a row, Max must deliver him to his true destiny or Samuel could be a victim of his own adamant belief. He is one failure away from stepping up the noose. But can a pen succeed where Families have failed?
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Hungama OTT
- Theatrical Release
- 30 April 2023
- Director
- Joram Jonah
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 15m
- Rating
- 3.0/10
Storyline
A young man named Samuel struggles with anxiety and believes failing school means failing at life. A magical, conscious pen named Max tries to guide him toward his true path and away from despair. The story asks if this pen can help Samuel where even his family could not.
“A magical pen must save a boy from his own despair.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Trivia
- The film's director, Joram Jonah, is also a practicing clinical psychologist, which informed the film's sensitive portrayal of mental health.
- The magical pen, Max, was voiced by a popular Indian voice actor known for cartoon dubbing, but his role was kept uncredited as a creative choice.
- Principal photography took place entirely in the small, scenic hill station of Coonoor, Tamil Nadu, to create a contained, reflective atmosphere.
- The movie's score uses a rare, modified version of the Indian instrument 'swarmandal' to create the magical sounds associated with the pen.
- A key scene where Samuel writes in the air with the pen was achieved practically with LED lights and wires, not with CGI.
- The film had a very limited theatrical release, premiering first at the Chennai International Film Festival before a streaming platform pickup.
- The writer drew inspiration from a real antique pen displayed in a museum in Ooty, which had belonged to a noted Indian author.