Pedestrian Pictures, Bangalore
present
FILM FESTIVAL
ON
POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT
10 - 12 MAY 2002, SURAT
The ongoing communal violence across Gujarat needs to
be condemned in the strongest possible manner. The
Sangh Parivar's efforts towards ethnic cleansing in
the state goes on unabated. The central government on
the other hand is content with making statements about
ësharing the grief of the peopleí. No specific actions
to bring the guilty to book have been taken. Instead,
in a ruthless and calculated move, plans have been
announced to hold elections in the violence-ravaged
and lawless state.
What is heartening however, is the general outcry
among people against the ongoing communal violence in
Gujarat and the Government's apathy to survivors in
relief camps. The film festival in Surat is part of
this resistance to communalism.
The films being screened over the 3 days are -
*Hey Ram - Genocide in the Land of Gandhi
Directed by Gopal Menon it is a survivorsí account of
the recent Gujarat riots.
*Naseem
Directed by Saeed Mirza, the film provides a
micro-cosmic view of the riots following the Babri
Masjid demolition
*The Bee, the Bear, the Kuruba
Directed by Vinod Raja, it is a story of the struggle
in Nagarhole, Karnataka for life and livelihood.
*Kis ki raksha?
Directed by Shriprakash, the film outlines the
successful fight of the adivasis in Bihar against the
Governmentís plans of building a military camp in
Netrahaat.
*Ram ke Naam
Directed by Anand Patwardhan the film provides an
understanding of the politicization of religion.
*Jari Mari
Directed by Surabhi Sharma, this film is about the
unorganised sector in Mumbai in the context of
globalisation
*Ribbons of Peace
Directed by Anand Patwardhan, this is a short film
against nuclearisation based on a popular song
*A Narmada Diary
Directed by Anand Patwardhan, this film documents the
powerful struggle against big dams in the Narmada
Valley
*Lesser Humans
Directed by Stalin, this film documents the oppression
faced by 'bhangis' in Gujarat
*We Are Not Your Monkeys
Directed by Anand Patwardhan, this film presents a
powerful dalit critique of the brahmanical version of
Ramayana through the songs of dalit poets.
*Naka, Naka, Dupont Naka
Produced by The Other Media Communications, this film
records the successful struggle of villagers in Goa to
prevent the extremely polluting US-based
multi-national company, Dupont, from setting up a
plant locally.
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The film festival locates the question of communalism
in the context of a development model that is
completely eroding people's lives, livelihood,
cultures, and relationships. It is an effort to
understand the nature of violence that is increasing
daily in our society, as well as the politics of
development behind it . The films being screened deal
with the struggles of people who challenge the
marginalisation and violence that the development
process is wreaking on their lives.
We invite you to join us for three days from 10 May
2002 to 12 May 2002 in this protest at Surat. Please
confirm your participation at the earliest as people
will be joining us from different parts of the
country. For further information about the venue, the
logistics and a detailed synopses of the films,
contact -
T.G.Jacob - 0261 - 3227174
Prof. Suguna - 0261 - 2730073
Pedestrian Pictures -
pedepics@yahoo.com --
URL::