Imagine a market in urban India - a crowded and colourful place.
At the very edge of the market, however, is a small area where animals are sold, and you notice the large number of birds chattering throughout.
Concerned about the vastness and cruelty of the bird trade, three girls set out to understand more. Armed with a hidden camera, mobile phones and DSLRs, they film in uncontrolled situations and on the streets. At many points they are distracted from their goal by situations or people they meet. Unplanned, spur of the moment traveling causes it to be the absolute opposite of slick. However, this DIY approach makes for an indie feel and a compelling story.
People is sometimes kind starts off being an effort at self-righteous (and naive) investigation, but interesting characters and situations deviate from this point of departure, and the girls find that several realizations to dawn on them.
What starts off as a brazen animal activism piece that sees the situation as black and white begins subtly to delve into the grayer areas.
It is a fairly straightforward film that jumps form sequence to sequence in the manner of synecdoche, once all the little parts are put together it delicately reflects on a larger situation.
The film develops into a piece more about the people they meet and reflections they have, leaving you with a simple and honest feel-good, slice-of-life piece.
