Sometimes

A dramedy with a strong message of social awareness, "Sila Samayangalil" focuses on eight characters from different walks of life who provide their blood samples for an AIDS test. In the pathology lab where the screening occurs, those tested are forced to cool their heels as the blood is processed. To avoid the tension of waiting, they collectively decide to bribe the technician, who provides partial results: Only one among the group has AIDS. Far from relieving their worries, this frustratingly incomplete information only ratchets up the anxiety. When the individual results finally become available, each of the eight is called in to receive the news and, one by one, walks out with relief, offering sympathy to the dwindling few who remain. (St. Louis International Film Festival)