New Documentaries/Films/ added in Digital Archive’s Collection:
- 1. An island of hope by Pankaj Bhualia (Director)
The Chakmas are a tribal group that went to Pakistan when the Chittagong Hilly Tracts became part of what was then known as East Pakistan. In 1964, the setting up of the Kaptal Hydel Project uprooted 50,000 Chakmas from their traditional homelands. Most of them then crossed over to India where they were buffeted from one state to another because no one wanted them. They ended up living in and around Changlang, a small part of Eastern Arunachal Pradesh. A few years ago, a small school was started in Diyun, Changlang, by a few young Chakma men. This school suddenly transformed the local environment and led to the local communities grudgingly accepting this ‘outsider’ immigrant community.
2. Seeds of dissent by Pankaj Rishi Kumar (Director)
‘Seeds of Dissent’ documents Dr. Joshi’s cycle yatra from Kanyakumari to Dehradun over a period of two months in Jan’08. During the journey Dr. Joshi meets and interacts with the farmers and raises relevant issues. We see farmers selling land to industries, coming up of SEZ’s, farmers being coaxed to take nonviable loans for tractors, issue of farmer’s suicide, preference being given to Industry (Coke) for water, and farmers resorting to distress sale.
Dr. Joshi analyses situations and presents his own alternative in the form of a ‘farmer’s bank.
3. Casablanca by Michael Curtis (Director)
In World War II Casablanca, Rick Blaine, exiled American and former freedom fighter, runs the most popular nightspot in town. The cynical lone wolf Blaine comes into the possession of two valuable letters of transit. When Nazi Major Strasser arrives in Casablanca, the sycophantic police Captain Renault do what he can to please him, including detaining Czech underground leader Victor Laszlo. Much to Rick’s surprise, Lazslo arrives with Ilsa, Rick’s one time love. Rick is very bitter towards Ilsa, who ran out on him in Paris, but when he learns she had good reason to, they plan to run off together again using the letters of transit.
4. Shwaas by Sandeep Sawant (Director)
This pictures storyline is based on real-life incident in Pune. The film then depicts the grandfather’s struggle to accept the reality that the only way to save his grandson is at the cost of his eyesight. He tries various ways to come to terms with the situation and his personal agony is shown in scenes, like taking second opinion, explaining his grandson the reality and his desire to show him everything possible before his grandson loses his eyesight. For some reason, the surgery has to be postponed by a day.
It shows the medical fraternity in a very positive light, with the doctors and nurses being extremely supportive and doing the best they can, and helping the village with the best facilities. The last shot where Parshya returns home wearing dark glasses, waving to his family and friends from the boat was widely appreciated by film critics.
5. Jogawa: the awakening by Rajiv Patil (Director)
A heart wrenching tale that exposes the hypocrisies and exploitations of an oppressed society harrowed by archaic traditions and plagued by superstitions in the heart of rural India, Jogwa is a poignant tale of one woman’s inspiring journey to break free from the shackles of discrimination, sexual oppression and servitude and find true happiness.
6. Mee sindhutai sapkal by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan (Director)
I am Sindhutai Sapkal is an inspiring, feminist, rooted Indian feature film. It traces the true story of Sindhutai Sapkal who ostracized by her husband, dramatically rewrites her destiny.
The film’s deep humanism in the face of injustice and humiliation gives it a universal resonance.
7. Gabhricha Paus: The damned rain ( with English Subtitles) by Satish Manwar (Director)
The Damned Rain a comedy film is about the life of a farmer Kisna, who is trying to get a good crop in the drought-stricken Vidarbha region, which has been notorious for farmer suicides.It also allegorically tells about how lack of information and education amongst the farmers, can ruin them, despite their indefatigable spirit.The film uses the Varadi dialect of Marathi, which is spoken in the Vidarbha region.
8. Umbartha by Jabbar Patel (Director)
Umbartha is about a woman’s dream to step out of the four walls of the house, assume greater responsibility as a citizen and to play an important role in shaping the society. It is about her passion to do something constructive for the abused, assaulted, neglected and traumatised womenfolk of the society she lives in. It is about her strong urge to create a niche for herself and achieve recognition and satisfaction through social work.
