Where do the Trees Go (Mansingh Baskey) India |

Where do the Trees go
Mansingh Baskey
India. 2025. 15 min

Eight-year-old Sagen is brought to live with his uncle and aunt after his mother remarries following his father’s death. The sudden change leaves him withdrawn, struggling to feel at home in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people. Though his uncle and aunt try to make him feel welcome, the house remains just a house—never quite a home. As they argue over legal guardianship and his schooling, Sagen seeks solace in the forest, the only place that feels free. But over time, small moments start to break the ice.
A quiet understanding grows, and one day, Kisku joins them at the dining table—something he once refused to do. Just as he begins to find the warmth of a family, his mother returns for one final goodbye before leaving forever. Standing before her, Sagen feels nothing—or perhaps too much. He doesn’t speak, doesn’t move closer, doesn’t hug her, unaware that this might be the last time he’ll ever see her. His uncle, witnessing their meeting, is furious. The argument that follows fills the house with fear, and once again, Sagen runs—terrified of losing the home he was just beginning to find. But will his new parents bring him back? Or will he be lost once more?

MANSINGH BASKEY

Mansingh Baskey, born in Jharkhand, India, is a filmmaker with an academic background in Mass Communication (B.A.) and Film Production (M.Sc.). He has further honed his skills with a certificate in TV Direction from FTII, Pune.

DIRECTOR´S NOTE

I made the film (‘Where Do the Trees Go?’) because it’s connected to some memories from my childhood. I’ve run away from life a lot… but some memories have always haunted me. One of those memories is the last time I met my mother. I remember that meeting more than any other moment I spent with her. I have no idea why she came to meet me that time. We never spoke or met again after that. But many questions lingered, and I couldn’t ask anyone for answers. So, I started searching for those answers within myself. I created different stories… and I kept seeing that 7-8 year-old boy running away. He couldn’t face the truth. And I wanted to see that last meeting again .. it was like a dream for me. While writing the film’s story, I was confused about whose perspective to take – my mother’s or the child’s. I didn’t want to make any mistakes. Then, I decided to show the child’s story because I knew his world. I knew what he was thinking, what he was feeling, what questions he had, and what he wanted to say. This film helped me connect with myself… now, I’ve understood why the trees leave (the title of the film). They go back to their homes, but now I’m searching for mine.

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