FUSED CITY
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In the city of Guwahati, a visual artist embarks on a unique journey, weaving together the discarded remnants of electronic waste with various inspirations from the city. The film captures the artist’s unconventional muse as he scours the urban landscape for discarded gadgets and electronics along with his experiences with different groups of people. As the artist navigates the bustling streets of Guwahati, the film explores the symbiotic relationship between urbanity, waste, and artistic innovation, offering a poignant reflection on the potential for beauty in the overlooked and the forgotten.
हसरतें बसरत (HASRATEIN BASRAT)
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In the city of Kanpur lies a suburb named Jajmau that lends fame to the city with its leather industry. Wrapped in the smell of a mixture of hazardous chemicals like chromium and arsenic- we find an ancient mound that has witnessed the wheels of time affect Jajmau in all its glory and downfall. There seems to be an ancient structure (some call it a fort) buried inside this huge mound in Jajmau. However, the history of the mound seems to be lost. But a folk-tale is borne by the people of Jajmau as this surreality of a fort buried inside a mound becomes part of their everyday life. With the constant threat of demolition haunting their everyday life, the qaramat of the famed local saint Hazrat Maqdoom Shah Ala offers solace in the face of adversity.
अवनति (AVNATI)
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People from diverse backgrounds share a common connection with their city’s creek, collectively narrating its story. “अवनति (Avnati),” unfolds the tragic decline of the St. Inez Creek in Panaji, Goa. With a compelling Konkani soundtrack, the film delves into the emotional ties binding the city and the creek. Through interviews and compelling visuals, it exposes the degradation caused by sedimentation, pollution, and neglect. Despite the creek facing formidable challenges, the film instils hope by showcasing the positive changes achievable through restoration initiatives. The film concludes with a powerful call to action, emphasizing the on the role of collective responsibility in preserving the environment and nurturing a brighter future for St. Inez Creek and beyond. Various individuals, each representing a unique background, contribute to this collective narrative, weaving a tapestry that vividly portrays the intricate relationship between the community and their cherished waterway.
FISH AND THE FRIEND
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In the humble place of Pamohi located in the city of Guwahati, Nisha – a spirited nine-year-old girl from a marginal background finds solace in caring for her beloved pet fish. She attends a unique school where plastic is accepted as fees and students are taught vocational skills, gardening, and the importance of recycling. However, a looming threat overshadows their efforts – a massive dumping ground that has grown into a mountain of plastic, just beyond their school. Desperate for a companion for her fish, Nisha discovers a narrow stream filled with hope on her route to school, but her joy is short-lived. The stream becomes a suffocating trap, engulfed in plastic waste, causing her newfound friend to vanish. Crushed by this loss, Nisha confides in Niha, who rallies their friends to form a determined team on a mission to find the fish and restore hope to their lives.
JUNK-E
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This film is an observational exploration of the crisis of electronic waste, more commonly known as e-waste, in Magrahat, located 45 kms south of Kolkata. This region has unfortunately become a growing hub for toxic waste generated from discarded electrical and electronic materials.
Amid the challenges and complexities, Magrahat stands as a poignant reminder of the intricate relationship between technology, society, and the environment, where e-waste is both a livelihood and a looming crisis. It encapsulates the paradox of progress and waste, while also showcasing the potential for grassroots initiatives to address this pressing global issue. Reflecting the broader global conversation about the environmental impact of consumer electronics, the film raises an important question about the life cycle of technology, from its creation to its eventual disposal, and the responsibility that both manufacturers and consumers bear in ensuring a more sustainable future.
गौरैया (SPARROW)
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“Gauraiya” is a poignant documentary that exposes the challenges faced by residents living near the Ghazipur dumpyard. The film highlights the contaminated water sources, poor waste management, and high levels of air pollution in the area, leading to health hazards and diseases. Through the story of a family with a child suffering from health complications, the film showcases the impact of these environmental factors on their lives. It serves as a call for action for improved waste management and sustainable development, urging viewers to consider the interconnectedness of environmental and social issues.
कार्य प्रगति पर है (A WORK IN PROGRESS)
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This film, set in the heart of India, Bhopal, traces the waste that flows from demolition sites in a fast-growing city. The Construction and Demolition waste is a major environmental hazard. The recycling plants installed by the government are only able to address 1% of the total waste generated in the country. Through this film, we get acquainted with the everyday practices of people residing in an informal settlement in the city, called Mandwa. We see how they beautifully reuse the C&D waste to build their homes, one brick and a few tiles at a time.
SAMAYADA HARIVU (FLOW OF TIME)
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“Samayada Harivu (Flow of Time)” delves into the lived experiences of Noor Mary and Prasad, inhabitants residing on opposite sides of the historic Begur Lake. The documentary observes the complexities surrounding the concept of reclamation and its relevance today. For Noor Mary, the lake is a way to practice sustainable agriculture, whereas for Prasad it is a means of recreation and a chance to stay connected with nature. The contrast between the two distinct voices and the communities they represent emerges.
The film paints a picture of the historical significance of the lake, emphasizing the daily interactions that defined lives then. However, shifting water and land usage patterns resulted in a diminished connection with the lake over time. As the documentary unfolds, it sheds light on recent community-driven efforts to reclaim the Begur Lake.
Through the voices of Noor Mary and Prasad, the film prompts viewers to reflect on the very essence of reclamation- raising essential questions about its true nature and the beneficiaries of such endeavors. The Begur Lake once meant a way of sustainable livelihood. Today it is a testament to an act of restoration.
RAAT KI JAGMAG
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The film looks at Manek Chowk, an urban space in the old city of Ahmedabad. Manek Chowk is known for its display of a vibrant food culture, which begins after sunset and transitions from the night’s darkness into the early morning hours. It captures the dynamic quality of the area that changes from a parking lot in the day time to a food market at night. The make-shift food vendors settle down every evening organically in the available space, reclaiming it.
The film showcases the everyday negotiations made in this space through physical bodies and objects within it. Capturing the narratives of various users of the chowk, it showcases the multiple ‘obstructions’ that become a part of its everyday life. Amidst the ephemeral romanticism lies the question of whose space and how it becomes irrelevant individually.