India
14′57″, 2024

DIRECTED BY

Shadab Farooq

PRODUCED BY

Rajiv Mehrotra

SCRIPTWRITER

/

CINEMATOGRAPHER

Sahib Goni

EDITED BY

Sahib Goni, Shadab Farooq

Only if the Baby Cries tels the poignant story of Misra Khatoon and Mohammad Iqbal as they prepare for the arrival of their child. In the village of Dhadkai, a traditional method is employed to assess a newborn's hearing abilities. Villagers create loud sounds around the infant, believing that a baby who cries with closed eyes may be at risk of deafness. The documentary beautifully captures this ritual while delving into the everyday lives of the community and the unique challenges they face.

Shadab Farooq is an independent filmmaker, journalist and performance artist from Indian-administered Kashmir. With a multidisciplinary background and deep roots in the region, Farooq brings a unique and authentic perspective to his artistic endeavors. He focuses on regional politics, environment and culture and uncovers previously unknown stories.