Environment
Water Community
Solution Exchange for the Water Community Consolidated Reply
Query: Films on Water Related Issues – Examples; Referrals
Compiled by Pankaj Kumar S., Resource Person and Ramya Gopalan, Research Associate 18 April 2007
From Nitya Jacob, Writeshop Infotech Private Limited, New Delhi Posted 20 March 2007
I work for the Writeshop Infotech Private Limited, an organization providing communication design and documentation support to various stakeholders in the development sector.
In the recent Visioning Workshop of the Water Community, one of the suggestions was to set up a resource centre with water-related information. This does not exist at the moment.
I would like to suggest that we begin with films, as this is a specific sort of information that can be collected and made available both online and offline.
I request members to share information on water-related films that they have made or that they know about. The topics could cover any of the following broad areas in the water sector: • Drinking water– access, quality, equity, technology, urban/rural governance, good practices, etc. • Water resources– sustainability, access, water harvesting, governance, policy issues, Groundwater, policy analysis, impact of globalization and privatisation, etc. • Sanitation– need, gaps, lack of access, emerging methods and technologies, integrating with rural and urban settlements, problems in scaling up, etc. • Water Quality– chemical and bacteriological contamination due to industries, water-logging, excessive groundwater extraction, unsafe waste disposal practices, etc. • Success stories- in above spheres, which have been documented on film
Members are requested to please provide the following information: • Name of film, Director, Producer, duration, language, theme/subject (3 to 4 lines), year of production, location of production, etc. • Members may also share any proforma they may have designed for recording and storing information on these films systematically. • The information may also include names of agencies that support filmmaking on water-related issues.
This listing will help us develop a compendium of films on water that we will share with all members, and which will help us spread awareness and water literacy among various stakeholders.
Responses were received, with thanks, from
1. N. K. Agarwal, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dehradun 2. Padma S. Vankar, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur 3. Vijay Krishna, Arghyam, Bangalore 4. Saugat Ganguly, Gamana, Hyderabad 5. S. Damodaran, WaterPartners International India Liaison Office, Tiruchirappalli 6. R. Srikanth, WaterAid India, New Delhi 7. Divyang Waghela, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), Gandhinagar 8. Anand Rudra, USAID- India, New Delhi 9. Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad 10. Sarah Figge, UNDP, New Delhi 11. Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi 12. Anjal Prakash, WaterAid India, New Delhi 13. Mrinalinee Vanarase, IORA for Environmental Solutions, Pune (Response 1; Response 2) 14. V. Kurian Baby, Socio-Economic Unit Foundation, Consultancy and GIS Division, Thrissur 15. Kumar Tiku, UNDP, New Delhi 16. Sanjay Barnela, Moving Images, New Delhi* 17. Prema Gera, UNDP, New Delhi 18. Apoorva Mishra, Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia/Pacific Region (ENRAP), New Delhi* 19. Nimmi Chauhan, Drishti - Media, Arts and Human Rights, Ahmedabad* 20. Satish Vangal, UNDP, New York* 21. Siddharth Pillai, Bangalore Film Society, Bangalore* 22. Jo Scheuer, UNDP, New Delhi*
* Offline Contributions
Further contributions are welcome!
Summary of Responses
In response to the query, seeking information on water-related films to develop a compendium of films on water to spread awareness on water related issues and increase water literacy among various stakeholders, members recommended a number of national and international films on a range of themes- drinking water, water resources, sanitation, livelihoods etc.
The Recommended Documentation section contains the details on the specific films mentioned by members. In addition, respondents listed several organizations involved in the making thematic films on water.
Several websites and portals highlighting films on water were also mentioned, the Recommended Portals and Information Bases section contains details.
Related Resources
Recommended Documentation
From Saugat Ganguly, Gamana, Hyderabad
Waterworks India: Four Engineers and a Manager Centre for Science and Environment; 22 minutes; in English http://csestore.cse.org.in/Store1.asp?currentpage=3&sec_id=4&subsec_id=14 Award-winning English film is a homage to five barefoot Indian rural engineers who have kept alive tradition of water harvesting.
Changing Currents - Plumbing the Rights Part 1 Centre for Science and Environment; 26 minutes; in English http://csestore.cse.org.in/Store1.asp?currentpage=3&sec_id=4&subsec_id=14 Film documents local communities from India and South Africa focusing on the issue of water as a common property and a right that is indistinguishable from the right to life
Wastewater in Urban Agriculture in Hyderabad International Water Management Institute (IWMI); Directed: Stephanie Buechelar, Gayathri Devi and Rama Devi; 22 minutes To avail of a copy contact IWMI at http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/ Documentary film on the use of wastewater in urban agricultural settings of Hyderabad
Partners in Action (“Lok ji Vani”) (from Divyang Waghela, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), Gandhinagar, Gujarat) Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO); 24 minutes; in English and Gujarati http://www.wasmo.org/eng/resource.shtm Film captures experiences of WASMO implementing a community based water supply programme, includes success stories showing the process and work in earthquake affected areas of Kutch, Gujarat
Chaliyar... The Final Struggle (from Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad) Under Construction: A Distribution Initiative for Independent Films; Director: C. Saratchandran and P. Baburaj; 1999; 35 minutes; in Hindi, English subtitles http://www.magiclanternfoundation.org/uc_filmlist.htm#Chaliyar Illustrates a river, her people and a factory that gobbles all the precious natural resources and pollutes the land and lives; English (subtitled), Hindi, 35 minutes
The Bitter Drink (“Kaippu Neeru”) (from Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad and Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi) Under Construction: A Distribution Initiative for Independent Films; Directors: P. Baburaj and C. Saratchandran; 2003; 26 minutes; in Malayalam, English subtitles http://www.magiclanternfoundation.org/uc_filmlist.htm#Kaippu Updated version of the Adivasi people’s struggle in Plachimada, Kerala against Coca Cola, and their demand to close the plant to safeguard their water and land resources
1,000 Days and a Dream (from Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad and Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi) Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles; Directors: C. Saratchandran and P. Baburaj; 2006; 77 minutes http://indianfilmfestival.org/movies07/1000daysandadream.html Follows community groups as they go up against politicians, state police and corporations to protect their lands, water and children from dangers brought by the Coca Cola plant
From Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad and Sanjay Barnela, Moving Images, New Delhi
Hunting Down Water Moving Images; Director: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal; 2003; 32 minutes; in English, subtitles http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Film documents the growing pan-Indian water crises relaying the politics of water supply and ground water extraction
River Taming Mantras Moving Images; Directors: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal; 2004; 31 minutes; in English, subtitles http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Explores the technological, economic and political rationale that underlies the adoption of using embankments as flood control measures
From Sanjay Barnela, Moving Images, New Delhi
Water Business is Good Business Moving Images; Directors: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal; 2004; 26 minutes; in English, subtitles http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Film travels from Delhi, to Indore and from Bombay to Chennai, exploring the politics and economics of urban water supplies against the rising water crises in urban India
Algebra of Water Moving Images; Directors: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal; 2004; 48 minutes; in English, subtitles http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Documentation of the man-made water crisis largely due to diversion of water from rural communities to meet the rising needs in urban areas and the misuse of water by urban elites
Small Remedies Moving Images; Directors: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal; 2004; 48 minutes; in English, subtitles http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Film examines the challenges of watershed conservation in rural India, specifically within the context of the caste and class based divisions that characterize Indian society.
From Sarah Figge, UNDP, New Delhi
Thirst Directors: Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman; 2004; 62 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films “Thirst” visits communities in Bolivia, India, Japan, and Stockton, California showing how corporations are buying local water supplies and communities loose control of resources
Water Warriors Media that Matters Festival; Director: Liz Miller; 2006; 6 minutes http://www.mediathatmattersfest.org/6/water_warriors/ Tells the story of how an inspiring group of citizens, residents of Highland Park, Michigan just outside of Detroit, worked to address the water crisis in their community.
Out! (“Fuera!”) Directors: Lindsay Katona and Maria Corcorran; 2005; 32 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Focuses specifically on the water service in El Alto, which has been privatized since 1997 under the French multinational Suez, and its subsidiary, Aguad del Illimani.
The Never Never Water Director: Alessandra Speciale; 2002; 48 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Documentary tells the story of Moussa, an itinerant water seller in the suburbs of the capital of Burkina Faso, elucidating a tale of water justice at a very personal level.
Water Wars: Struggle in the Holy Land Director: Iain Taylor; 1997; 26 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Struggle in the Holy Land focuses on the apparent water inequalities between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank and Gaza.
The Water is Ours, Damnit! Director: Sheila Franklin and Ravi Khanna; 2000; 33 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Focuses on the successful fight against the privatization of water in Chochabamba, Bolivia
Profits of Doom Director: John Kampfner; 2001; 50 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Traces the roots of the growing protect movement where the World Bank is now pushing for privatization of water.
Water for People and Nature Producer: Working TV for The Council of Canadians; 2001; 11.5 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films Background of the creation of the Water for People and Nature: A Forum for Human Rights and Conservation” held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 5-8, 2001
Earth Report VI: Plumbing the Rights Director: Robert Lamb, Rob Sullivan and Amber Delahooke; 2002; 26 minutes To avail of a copy contact Food and Water Watch at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films In light of the UN target of having the number of people without enough water, film is a series of interviews with the people facing a water crisis to find out their ideas on how to solve the problem
Water Privatisation: Water Crisis in Orange Farm Independent Media Centre, South Africa; Director: Christina Hotz; 2003; 15 minutes http://sa.indymedia.org/news/2003/03/3383.php Shows how water privatization in the form of pre-paid water meters in South Africa has resulted in a water crisis
Thirsting For War Film Makers; Director: Christopher Mitchell; 1980; 50 minutes http://www.filmmakers.com/ Explores the struggle for control of water in the Middle East, specifically in Turkey, Syria and Iraq amidst the political and economic dimensions of the growing regional tension
Leasing the Rain Public Broadcasting Corporation; Bill Moyers’ Now; 2002 http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bolivia/thestory.html Examines the privatization of Cochabamba, Bolivia’s water and the subsequent “water war” which led to the expulsion of corporate privateer Bechtel.
Drowned Out: We Can’t Wish Them Away Bullfrog; Director: Franny Armstrong; 2002; 75 minutes http://www.bullfrog.com/ Follows Jalsindhi villagers through hunger strikes, rallies, police brutality and a six-year Supreme Court case against the Narmada Dam, staying till the dam filled and the river raised
A Journey in the History of Water: Episodes I-IV Water Video; Director: Terje Tvedt; 2001; 45 minutes/each http://watervideo.com Tells series of dramatic stories from 20 countries on how different communities’ struggle for fresh water have shaped human society to a remarkable extent
Land of the Rising Water Earth Report; 26 minutes; 2002 http://www.connectedmedia.org/ Examines Japan's success in urban water management to tackle floods and conserve the country's wetlands, including community initiatives like rainwater harvesting.
A Narmada Diary First Run Icarus Films; Directors: Anand Patwardhan and Simantini Dhuru; 1995; 60 minutes http://www.frif.com/ Records Adivasi community’s continuing struggle for social justice by denouncing the inadequacy of resettlement and compensation from the massive Narmada Sardar Dam Project
From Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi
The Source of Life for Sale Director and Producer: K. P. Sasi; 70 minutes To avail of a copy contact SICHREM at http://www.sichrem.org/popup.php?ArtifactID=19 Documentary on the impact of privatization of water bodies in India and the subsequent struggles of local communities against the sale of rivers and misuse of water
Words on Water Director: Sanjay Kak; 2002; 85 minutes; in English, subtitles To avail of a copy contact Wild Spaces Film Festival at http://www.wildspaces.foe.org.au/wordsmaker.htm Explores the struggle of the people of Narmada Valley against the big dams that threaten to submerge their lands and displace them from their homes, traditions and cultures
A Valley Refuses to Die Director and Producer: K. P. Sasi; 2004; 41 minutes; in English To avail of a copy contact Toxics Link at http://www.toxicslink.org/filmfestival/films_water.php Film documents how a “a valley” refused to die, despite the construction of a large dam blocking the water flow, it is the earliest film against large dams in India
Fragrance of the First Rain (“Toli Chinuka”) Director: Vinod Raja; 1995 To avail of a copy contact Vinod Raja at [email protected] Film about the water harvest systems of rain fed farming in Southern India
This Year There Will Be No Thirst! (“Aa Varas Nahi Rahe Taras!”) (from Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi and Nimmi Chauhan, Drishti Media Collective, Ahmedabad) Drishti Media Collective; Director: Nimmi Chauhan; 42 minutes; in Gujarati and English To avail of a copy contact Drishti Media Collective at [email protected] Film narrates the story of how few women resolved the drinking water crisis in their village, based on the experiences of seven villages in Gujarat
From Anjal Prakash, WaterAid India, New Delhi
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WaterAid India; 2003; 15 minutes; in English To avail of a copy contact WaterAid at [email protected] Film captures people’s voices on the improvements in their lives made through WaterAid’s intervention in water, sanitation and hygiene in south India
Wave of Success Gramalaya and WaterAid India, 2006; 29 minutes; in English To avail of a copy contact WaterAid at [email protected] Film documents community management of toilets and bathing complexes by women’s group in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Sanitation for the Poor: A Beginning Made WaterAid India; 2006; 30 minutes; in English To avail of a copy contact WaterAid at [email protected] Highlights the early beginning of rural water and sanitation work of WaterAid India and its NGO partners
It's Me the Fish Speaking (“Mi Masa Boltoya”) (from Mrinalinee Vanarase, IORA for Environmental Solutions, Pune; response 1) Director: Jyoti Patil; 2004; 6 minutes; in Marathi, English subtitles Film on fish ladder and entire concept of fish migration in upstream areas in India made on an experiment of fish ladders on two small bunds
Of King, Pawns and Warrior (from Mrinalinee Vanarase, IORA for Environmental Solutions, Pune; response 2) Director: Jyoti Patil; 2005; 45 minutes; in English Film on people's movement against an unchecked chemical factory that led to groundwater pollution in Chipari village, Kolhapur District, Maharashtra
Swaraaj: The Little Republic (from Kumar Tiku, UNDP, New Delhi) Institute of Social Sciences Anwar Jamal; Director: Anwar Jamaal; 2002; 86 minutes; in Hindi http://www.issin.org/little.asp Tells the story of Leela, an intelligent low caste woman, who gets the one seat reserved for women, in her village panchayat and her determination to bring water to her community
Whose Water (from Prema Gera, UNDP, New Delhi) Producer: Krishnendu Bose; 2002; 30 minutes; in Hindi, English subtitles To avail of a copy contact Earth Care Films at [email protected] Supported under a UNDP-MoRD programme and examines the water policy in India, how people's initiatives are changing water management in the country
Chromium (VI) Remediation from Soil and Groundwater in Jajmau Area (from Padma S. Vankar, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur) Padma Shree Telefilms; Director: Siddhartha Vankar; 2006; 35-40 minutes; in Hindi and English To avail of a copy contact GEF at [email protected] Documented UNDP and Global Environment Facility (GEF) project to protect poor farmers from Chrome-VI through remediation of groundwater and soil affected by tannery effluents
IEC Films on Sanitation (from Anand Rudra, USAID/India, New Delhi) http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/environment/cr/res20030702.doc (Size: 48 KB) Provides a list of short films on water and sanitation issues, compiled by Exnora, an NGO in Chennai which are available with them presently
From Apoorva Mishra, Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia/Pacific Region (ENRAP), New Delhi
The Chhattisgarh Tribal Development Society, Chhattisgarh, India November 2004 http://www.enrap.org/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showgall&gid=4 Two short films produced by the Chhattisgarh Tribal Development Project on watershed development for agriculture
Using Digital Video - Video Pieces from Trainees November 2004-April 2005; in Sinhalese http://www.enrap.org/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showgall&gid=7&p= Five short films produced by Project REAP in Matale, Sri Lanka, after the project staff received training in DV documentation.
From Ramya Gopalan, Research Associate
Human Development Report (HDR) 2006 Launch Video UNDP; 2006; 5 minutes 20 seconds http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/videos.cfm Launch of HDR on the global problem of lack of access to water and sanitation, has links to short films documenting this problem around the world, including in India
“Jijivisha” Directed: Kuber Sharma, Ishita Moitra, Shirley Abraham, Charulatha Menon and Amit Madheshia; 2005 To avail of a copy contact SWECHHA at [email protected] Traces the journey of the river from Yamunotri to Allahbad through cities, exploring the relationship between the river and communities, designed to spread awareness on the plight of Indian rivers
Ganga: From the Ground Up Director: Yves Sadurni Dupont; 2006; 45 minutes To avail of a copy contact Planet in Focus: International Environmental Film and Video Festival at [email protected] Highlights the major threats to the Ganges- the Tehri Dam project and displacement of over 100,000 villagers; the attempt to privatize the water and persistent problem of pollution in the river
Green Green Water Producer: Dawn Mikkelson, Jamie A. Lee, and James Fortier; Director: Dawn Mikkelson and Jamie A. Lee; 2006; 86 minutes To avail of a copy contact Planet in Focus: International Environmental Film and Video Festival at [email protected] Traces the displacement of the indigenous Cree and Metis in Manitoba, Canada, and examines how renewal energy comes at a price- flooding and destroying land and communities
Recommended Organizations
Earth Care Films, New Delhi (from Saugat Ganguly, Gamana, Hyderabad) B–91, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024; Tel: 91–11–24334171/2005; Fax: 91–11–24334068; [email protected]; http://www.earthcarefilms.com/ Delhi-based production house set up in 1995, produces independent documentaries on environment conservation, examines politics of conservation and creates public opinion
WaterAid India, New Delhi (from R. Srikanth and Anjal Prakash and S. Damodaran, WaterPartners International India Liaison Office, Tiruchirappalli) http://www.wateraid.org/international/what_we_do/where_we_work/india/ NGO in the process of making a film on water quality monitoring, and mitigation of bacteriological/chemical contamination, as well as community initiatives in water quality
Moving Images India, New Delhi (from Sanjay Barnela) D-3/3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070; Tel.: 91-11-26893384; Fax: 91-11-26124317; [email protected]; http://www.movingimagesindia.com/water.htm# Produced series of films on water, documenting emerging water management crisis in India which has exacerbated the problems of either too much (floods) or too little water
Water Film Library, Food and Water Watch, Washington DC (from Sarah Figge, UNDP, New Delhi) 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 225, Washington, DC 20036 USA; Tel.: 202-797-6550, Fax: 202-797-6560; [email protected]; http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films For help in organizing a festival, obtaining films on loan and purchase, and/or finding speakers experts in the sector of water amongst others
DRISHTI Media, Arts and Human Rights, Ahmedabad (from Nimmi Chauhan) 103, Anand Hari Tower, New Sandesh Press Road, Opposite Chanakya Tower, Bodakdev, Ahmedabad 380054 Gujarat; Tel.: 91-79-2685-1235/6661-4235; [email protected]; http://www.drishtimedia.org/ NGO working with communities to document (through films and community radio) alternative histories, provide voice for the marginalized, mobilize people to action and create public awareness
Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), Gandhinagar (from Divyang Waghela) 3rd Floor, Jalsewa Bhavan, Sector 10-A, Gandhinagar 382010 Gujarat; Tel.: 91-079-23247170/5; Fax: 91- 079-23247485; [email protected] http://www.wasmo.org/eng/resource.shtm Organization has video material for disseminating awareness messages on chlorination, pani samiti formation, sanitation, water quality, operation and maintenance of in-village water supply schemes
Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (KRWSA), Thiruvananthapuram (from V. Kurian Baby, Socio-Economic Unit Foundation, Consultancy and GIS Division, Thrissur) PTC Towers, SS Kovil Road, Thampanoor Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695001; Tel.: 0471-2337002/3/5; Fax: 0471-2337004; http://www.jalanidhi.com/ Jalanidhi, a Community based water and sanitation programme, has worked to document best practices in the rural WATSAN sector in Kerala
Recommended Portals and Information Bases
Centre for Science and Environment Audio Visual Resource Centre (AVRC) (from N. K. Agarwal, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dehradun and Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi) http://csestore.cse.org.in/store1.asp?sec_id=4 Provides a wide selection of films related to all environmental issues particularly on water which includes rainwater harvesting, livelihoods, river basins, water pollution etc.
Tools and Techniques, India Water Portal (from Vijay Krishna, Arghyam, Bangalore) http://indiawaterportal.org/Tools%20&%20Techniques/ Collects, documents and develops movies, slide shows and flash presentations featuring best management practices crucial for short term and long term sustainable use of water
Water Knowledge Center, Asian Development Bank (ADB) (from Saugat Ganguly, Gamana, Hyderabad) http://www.adb.org/Water/Knowledge-Center/documentaries.asp Provides an in-depth look at water reforms through short video documentaries recognizing good examples of finding 'home grown' solutions to water problems
Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia/Pacific Region (ENRAP) (from Apoorva Mishra) http://www.enrap.org Network has a collection of films on water issues, produced by or for projects implemented by the International Development Research Centre and International Fund for Agriculture and Development
People and Water (from Satish Vangal, UNDP, New York)* http://www.peopleandplanet.net/doc.php?id=2307 Lists 28 films on best practices from the world to find a solution to global 'water crisis' developed by produced and compiled by Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment
From Ramya Gopalan, Research Associate
Toxic Links Environmental Film Festival 2006 http://www.toxicslink.org/filmfestival/2006/ Site contains links to the documents relating to the films on a range of environmental themes, including water, shown during the festival
New England Aquarium- World of Water Films http://www.neaq.org/scilearn/conservation/wwf.html Portal linking to seven short, engaging films on important aquatic issues, intended to educate audiences on the threats facing ocean animals and ecosystems and conservation-based solutions
Recommended Upcoming Events
“Voices from the Water 2007” Second Annual International Film Festival on Water, Bangalore (from Siddharth Pillai, Bangalore Film Society, Bangalore)* Organized by the Bangalore Film Society, Water Journeys and CIEDS Collective For information, contact Bangalore Film Society at [email protected] Festival is a series of film screenings and conferences held over three days to create general awareness and inspire dialogues among the public on water
4th CMS Vatavaran Environment and Wildlife Film Festival, New Delhi, September 2007 (from Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi)* For information, contact CMS Vatavarna Film Festival Directorate at [email protected], [email protected] Annual festival is accepting films from 12 categories including “water for all,” deadline for submissions is April 30, 2007
“Faecal Attraction: Political Economy of Defecation” Film Premiere, New Delhi, April 18, 2007 (from Jo Scheuer, UNDP, New Delhi)* For information, contact Suresh Babu SV, River Pollution Campaign, Centre for Science and Environment at Tel: 91-11-29956110/399 Ext 267, [email protected] Centre for Science and Environment will début its 32-minute film on open defecation and its impact on water (specifically rivers) at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
*Offline Contributions
Responses in Full
N. K. Agarwal, Geological Survey of India (GSI), Dehradun
Please visit Centre for Science and Environment http://csestore.cse.org.in/store1.asp?sec_id=4, some of the info you are looking for is available with them inclusive of films. They are doing a wonderful job.
Padma S. Vankar, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur
We have been working in the area of soil and water remediation in the tannery area( Jajmau) of Kanpur in a UNDP/GEF small grant funded project in collaboration with CEE( North). We have developed a film out of the fieldwork and the remediation work at the site including the interview of some of the beneficiaries, the interviewer's frank opinion about the whole process and much more.
Name of the film: Chromium (VI) Remediation from Soil and Ground water in Jajmau area. Director: Mr Siddhartha Vankar Producer: Padma Shree Telefilms Duration: 35-40 minutes Language: Hindi and English
Theme/Subject: The UNDP /GEF funded project sponsored this project. The project is titled: “To protect poor Farmers from Chrome-VI Menace through Remediation of ground water and soil affected by Tannery effluents Containing Chrome –VI”.
An NGO, Devendra Vidyapeth Shiksha Samiti, Kanpur, and myself as the technical consultant took up this remediation plan in three villages of Jajmau Tannery area (Sheikhpur, Allaulapur and Kulgaon). The area is completely rural and are very deprived. There is no government/private health infrastructure and poor access to developmental schemes. People are deprived from health services, education services and other basic civil amenities.
We collected samples from Allaulapur, Sheikhpur and Kulgaon. The results are as follows: Allaulapur Sheikhpur Kulgaon Per Lim. Groundwater 17.05 mg/L 12.84 mg/L 8.14 mg/L 0.05 mg/L Soil 20.58 mg/L 10.34 mg/L 15.88 mg/L 0.05 mg/L
Due to Cr-VI menace their fruit crops other conventional crops are diminished and besides these they are facing health hazards also due to Cr-VI.
Year of Production: 2006 Location of Production: Jajmau tannery area, Kanpur( Sheikhpur Village)
We would like to submit this film for the aforementioned purpose.
Vijay Krishna, Arghyam, Bangalore
The India Water Portal was set up to be the resource center you mention for water (www.indiawaterportal.org). We are interested in hearing from the community whether others feel that it is serving that purpose.
Regarding movies specifically: The website http://indiawaterportal.org/Tools%20&%20Techniques/ has movies grouped according to theme in different water practice areas. There are currently about 15 movies there.
A suggestion is to add Ground Water to the list of areas mentioned by you.
Saugat Ganguly, Gamana, Hyderabad
There are a large number of very high quality documentaries on water related issues. I give below a few:
• The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has its water voices documentary series: http://www.adb.org/Water/Knowledge-Center/documentaries.asp The films basically depict success stories of community initiatives.
• EarthCare films' documentary - 'Whose Water?' is on water conflicts. EarthCare also helps in documentary film making. Their web address is- http://www.earthcarefilms.com/
• As Mr. N.K. Agrawal has mentioned, CSE has a good repertoire of films. Out of these, I would like to recommend the films-'Four Engineers and a Manager' (duration of about 50 minutes) and 'Changing Currents - Plumbing the Rights' (duration 25 minutes) as a must for any library.
• The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has a documentary film on use of Waste Water in urban agriculture in the city of Hyderabad. Directed by Dr.Stephanie Buechelar, Ms. Gayathri Devi and Mrs. Rama Devi the film is about 22 minutes in duration and is available through their Hyderabad office- http://www.iwmi.cgiar.org/
S. Damodaran, WaterPartners International India Liaison Office, Tiruchirappalli
I am sending herewith the pamphlet published by Gramalaya on World Water Day 2007. The whole programme is sponsored by 20,000 women who will participate in the one day event covering 95% of the world water day programme cost (Rs.60,00,000). As a part of WWD campaign - http://www.solutionexchange-un.net.in/environment/cr/res20030701.pdf (Size: 2 MB), WaterPartners International will be filming the entire programme with interviews of the women participants with the help of Gramalaya which can be shared with interested organisations. www.worldwaterday.org ; www.gramalaya.org ; www.water.org
This is for your information.
R. Srikanth, WaterAid India, New Delhi
We at WaterAid India are in the process of making a film on water quality monitoring, and mitigation of bacteriological and chemical contamination, as well as community initiatives in water quality. We will share this film once we complete this in about 2 months time from now.
Divyang Waghela, Water and Sanitation Management Organisation (WASMO), Gandhinagar
I work with the Water and Sanitation Management Organisation, which is an autonomous body working as the State Water and Sanitation Mission in the state of Gujarat. For details, see www.wasmo.org.
WASMO has developed two films on experiences of community-based water supply projects: i) “Partners in Action” - English (24 minutes) - Experiences of WASMO in implementation of community based water supply programme in the state of Gujarat. Its mixture of water sector scenario in Gujarat and also new approaches adopted by the state. ii) “Lok ji Vani” - Gujarati (30 minutes) Gujarati version of the 'Partners in Action but mainly Focusing on success stories of implementation process and work in earthquake affected ares of Kutch district.
I hope this will help in making a good collection as a part of resource center.
Anand Rudra, USAID-India, New Delhi
Please find in the link below a list of short films, compiled by Exnora, an NGO in Chennai. The short films are available with them presently. http://www.solutionexchange- un.net.in/environment/cr/res20030702.doc (Size: 48 KB)
Let me know if you need a copy or more details.
Umesh Varma, Gamana, Hyderabad
The following films are useful in understanding the alternative point on water related issues.
Please check the website address of the Magic Lantern Foundation, which stock these films: http://www.magiclanternfoundation.org/
“The Bitter Drink” (Kaippu Neeru) http://www.magiclanternfoundation.org/uc_filmlist.htm#Kaippu Directors: C. Saratchandran and P. Baburaj A film on the adivasi struggle against Coca Cola in Plachimada, Kerala English (subtitled), 26 minutes, 2003
“Chaliyar... The Final Struggle” http://www.magiclanternfoundation.org/uc_filmlist.htm#Chaliyar Director: C. Saratchandran and P. Baburaj A river, her people and a factory that gobbles all the precious natural resources and pollutes the land and lives English (subtitled), Hindi, 35 minutes, 1999
“1000 Days and a Dream” (Anti-Coca Cola Struggle and the people behind it) Dir: P. Baburaj and C. Saratchandran, India, 75 minutes
“Hunting Down Water” (On the politics of water supply and ground water extraction) Dir: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal, India, 32 minutes
“River Taming Mantras” (The politics/scams of flood control in Eastern India) Dir: Sanjay Barnela and Vasant Saberwal, India, 38 minutes
Sarah Figge, UNDP, New Delhi
Food & Water Watch in Washington, D. C. has a number of films listed in their “Water Film Library” available on-line at http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/films/films
Food & Water Watch 1400 16th Street NW, Suite 225 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-797-6550, Fax: 202-797-6560 Email: [email protected]
Some of the films included are as given below…
“Thirst” Directors: Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman Year: 2004 Length: 62 min. Number of Copies: 16 VHS, 1 DVD and 1 clip reel (clip reel has 4, 1 min. clips) Also available for purchase: $35/copy
Thirst visits communities in Bolivia, India, Japan, and Stockton, California showing how corporations are rapidly buying up local water supplies. Communities suddenly loose control of their most precious resources. Thirst, a character driven documentary with no narration, reveals how water is the catalyst for explosive community resistance to globalization.
“Water Warriors” Director: Liz Miller, Director and Producer Year: 2006 Preview: 6 minute preview available here
When residents of Highland Park, MI, just outside of Detroit, began receiving water bills as high as $10,000 and were facing massive shutoffs throughout the community, they took action. This film, Water Warriors, tells the story of an inspiring group of citizens working to address the water crisis in their community. How could this community, with it's own intake from the Great Lakes Basin, the largest body of freshwater in the world, deprive so many of its citizens of water? Water Warriors seeks to answer this question and more.
“FUERA (Out!)” Directors: Lindsay Katona and Maria Corcorran Year: 2005 Length: 32 min. Number of Copies: 1 DVD
The Bolivian cities of Cochabamba and El Alto experienced massive anti-privatization riots in the wake of significantly raised prices and poor water service, which have left thousands without access to water services. FUERA! focuses pecifically on the water service in El Alto, which has been privatized since 1997 under the French multinational Suez, and its subsidiary, Aguad del Illimani. It investigates how Aguas del Illimani has affected access to water, the quality of water, and public health in the sprawling urban hub of El Alto and the anti-privatization efforts of the Altenos themselves.
“The Never Never Water” Director: Alessandra Speciale Year: 2002 Length: 48 min. Number of Copies: 2 DVD
The “water lords” have arrived in the Sahel as well. In Ougadougou, Burkina Faso, the search for water has always been an exhausting chore. In addition to the shortage of water there is now also the threat of privatization. In this period of drought, people crowd around the wells, waiting hours to fill a few buckets. Midway between reportage and narrative story telling, this documentary tells the story of Moussa, an itinerant water seller in the suburbs of the capital. It is a mesmerizing and paced tale of water justice at a very personal level.
“Water Wars: Struggle in the Holy Land” Director: Iain Taylor Year: 1997 Time: 26 min. Number of Copies: 1 VHS
Could the war of the next century be over water rather than oil or politics? Demand for this most basic of resources is outstripping supply in some parts of the world and it is in these areas that the seeds of future wars have already been sown. Struggle in the Holy Land focuses on the apparent water inequalities between Palestinians and Israeli settlers in the West Bank and Gaza.
“The Water is Ours, Damnit!” Director: Sheila Franklin and Ravi Khanna Year: 2000 Length: 33 min. Number of Copies: 1 VHS, 2 DVD
Focuses on the successful fight against the privatization of water in Chochabamba, Bolivia. Through interviews and riveting footage of street battles that took place between November 1999 and April of 2000, people of Chochabamba tell the story of how they were able to take back control of their water; forcing the government to nullify the contract that sold the city’s water to US-based Bechtel Corporation.
“Profits of Doom” Director: John Kampfner Year: 2001 Length: 50 min. Number of Copies: 1 VHS
Ghana was once hailed by the World Bank as a showcase for its policies. Today, after two decades of financial “discipline” the majority of Ghanaians are worse off than before. John Kampfner has been to Ghana, tracing the roots of the growing protect movement where the World Bank is now pushing for privatization of water.
“Water for People and Nature” Produced by: Working TV for the Council of Canadians Year: 2001 Length: 11 min. 30 seconds Number of Copies: 1 VHS
Who’s After our Water? Increasingly the solution to the growing crisis of equitable access to clean, safe water and the protection of fresh water systems has been the commodification and privatization of the world’s water. Faced with the relentless push by the world’s largest water companies and organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, many activists from around the world began to see that they needed a forum where they could exchange information and strategies to fight the globalization of the earth’s water. This was the simple idea that created “Water for People and Nature: A Forum for Human Rights and Conservation” held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 5 to 8, 2001. Organized by the Council of Canadians’ Blue Planet Project, “Water for People and Nature” brought together more than 1,000 experts and activists from over 40 countries. The outcome was a global network of grassroots activists and international organizations committed to empowering communities to demand that the earth’s water be protected as part of our global commons.
“Earth Report VI: Plumbing the Rights” Director: Robert Lamb, Rob Sullivan, Amber Delahooke Year: 2002 Length: 26 min. Number of Copies: 1 VHS
For one in six people on the planet, finding water for drinking, cooking and washing is a daily struggle. As freshwater resources become ever scarcer, the United Nations has set a target to halve the number of people without enough water by 2015! How can this be achieved? The fashionable panacea is privatization, partnerships and community mobilization. Plumbing the Rights meets the people at the sharp end of the water crisis to find out their ideas on how to solve it.
“Orange Farm Water Crisis” Director: Christina Hotz Year: 2003 Length: 15 min. http://sa.indymedia.org/news/2003/03/3383.php
The Privatization of the Environment: Water. The video Orange Farm Water Crisis shows water privatization in the form of pre-paid water meters in South Africa. The video exists thanks to the activists of the Orange Farm Water Crisis & video activists from around the world many of whom were in Johannesburg for the World Summit of Sustainable Development in 2002.
“Thirsting For War” Director: Christopher Mitchell Year: 1980 Length: 50 min. To purchase- http://www.filmmakers.com/ Sale: $295; Rent: $75
Water, one of life's necessities, is becoming a source of conflict on a global scale, much like oil. This film takes a comprehensive look at the struggle for control of water in the Middle East, specifically in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. Thirsting for War explores the political and economic dimensions of the growing tension in the region with great clarity. It is also sensitive to the personal dimension of these problems, including interviews with the displaced and suffering.
“Leasing the Rain” Bill Moyers’ Now Year: 2002 PBS- http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/bolivia/thestory.html
Moyers examines the privatization of Cochabamba, Bolivia’s water and the subsequent “water war” which led to the expulsion of corporate privateer Bechtel.
“Drowned Out: We Can’t Wish Them Away” Director: Franny Armstrong Year: 2002 Length: 75 min. To purchase- http://www.bullfrog.com/ Sale: Buy VHS: $275, Buy DVD: $275; Rent VHS: $95, Rent DVD: $95
Three choices. Move to the slums in the city, accept a place at a resettlement site or stay at home and drown. An Indian family chooses to stay at home and drown rather than make way for the Narmada Dam. Bestselling author Arundhati Roy joins the fight against the dam and asks the difficult questions. Will the water go to poor farmers or to rich industrialists? What happened to the 16 million people displaced by fifty years of dam building? Drowned Out follows the Jalsindhi villagers through hunger strikes, rallies, police brutality and a six-year Supreme Court case. It stays with them as the dam fills and the river starts to rise...
“A Journey in the History of Water I-IV” Director: Terje Tvedt Length: 4 episodes, 45 min. each Year: 2001 To purchase- http://watervideo.com/order_sq.html
Tells the dramatic story of how the struggle for fresh water has shaped human society to a remarkable extent. This series brings the viewer to about 20 countries all over the world and shows in fascinating variety how people have coped with what is societies' lifeblood - water.
“Land of the Rising Water” Earth Report Year: 2002 Length: 26 min. To purchase- http://www.connectedmedia.org/
Examines Japan's success in urban water management to tackle floods and conserve the country's wetlands. Also offers community initiatives like rainwater harvesting that could show the way.
“A Narmada Diary” Directors: Anand Patwardhan and Simantini Dhuru Year: 1995 Length: 60 min. To purchase- http://www.frif.com/ Sale: Buy VHS: $390, Rent VHS: $75
Denouncing the inadequacy of resettlement and compensation from the massive Narmada Sardar Dam Project, the adivasis steadfastly refuse to leave their land - even if they drown there. A moving record of the adivasi people's continuing struggle for social justice. On the other hand the Government is sheltering behind talk of national gain, India's `necessary sacrifice' for development - but the film asks, development for whom?
Sajan Venniyoor, UNESCO, New Delhi
A number of excellent films on water have been made in India.
'The Source of Life for Sale' (70 minutes) is a hard-hitting documentary by eminent film-maker, KP Sasi, on the impact of privatisation of water bodies in India and the subsequent struggles of the local people against the sale of rivers in Periyar, Malampuzha, Attappadi, Sheonath, Kelo, Ganga Canal and the River Linking Project', and the protest of local communities against the misuse of water by an MNC.
Nimmi Chauhan of Drishti Media Collective, Ahmedabad has directed a short film titled 'Aa Varas Nahi Rahe Taras' (This Year There Will Be No Thirst!). This 42-minute film is available in Gujarati and English, and Nimmi clarifies that it is a dramatized film, and not an interview based film.
The film is set in 'Panchal' region, district Surendranagar, Gujarat, "a region plagued by recurring droughts, where 'virdas' (dugouts in the riverbed) are the only source of water, where women spend most of their time searching for water, where people are forced to migrate in search of livelihood. Based on the experiences of seven villages, this film documents the story of what is possible when a few women resolve to find a solution to the drinking water crisis in their village."
K. P. Sasi has kindly gave me the names and references of several other films on water.
• “Bitter Drink” by P. Baburaj and Sarat Chandran • “Words on Water” by Sanjay Kak • “A Valley Refuses to Die” by K.P. Sasi • “1000 Days and a Dream” by Sarat Chandran and P. Baburaj • “Narmada Diary” by Anand Patwardhan
Mr. Sasi also added that there is a good film on water by Vinod Raja, and that CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) has produced some good films on water, and so has Nandita Das.
Anjal Prakash, WaterAid India, New Delhi
WaterAid India has produced the following films:
• “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” - Capturing people’s voices on improvements in their lives through WaterAid’s intervention in water, sanitation and hygiene in south India. 2003. 15 min, English • “Wave of Success”- A film on community management of toilets and bathing complexes by women’s group in Tiruchirappalli city of Tamil Nadu supported by Gramalaya and WaterAid. 2006; 29 min, English • “Sanitation for the Poor: A Beginning Made” - The film highlights early beginning of rural water and sanitation work of WaterAid India and its NGO partners in its social and economic context. WaterAid. 2006; 30 min, English
Mrinalinee Vanarase, IORA for Environmental Solutions, Pune (response 1)
We have a film on fish ladder and entire concept of fish migration in upstream areas in India. It’s a small film made on our own experiment of fish ladders on two small bunds. I would like to know if this fits into the theme.
Secondly, we also have a film on water pollution problem emerged due to unchecked discharge by chemical factory and how villagers fought against the problem. It would be a good idea to make a film archive on water issues.
V. Kurian Baby, Socio-Economic Unit Foundation, Consultancy and GIS Division, Thrissur
Great effort indeed….
I give below two sources for water related films -
Firstly, the Jalanidhi (Community based Water and Sanitation Programme) of Government of Kerala (through the IDA line of credit) has done some effort in documenting best practices in rural watsan sector in Kerala. As part of the planning phase activities, we had produced a 20 minute film on Olavanna, the successful community/Gram Panchayat based drinking water programme - tracing its genesis and developments, with the support of CDIT, Kerala.
Jalanidhi also has the following documentaries available in CD 1. Water -the elixir 2. Water borne diseases 3. Lessons on sanitation -1 (personal hygiene) 4. Lessons on sanitation - 2 (technology choices for sanitation) 5. Sanitary well 6. Tribal sanitation 7. Women and Sanitation 8. Ground water recharge 9. Watershed development 10. Environmental sanitation 11. Kunnumel -Jalanidhi project 12. Olavanna model community water supply
For details, please contact:
Executive Director Kerala Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency PTC Towers, SS Kovil Road Thampanoor Thiruvananthapuram Kerala. India – 695001 Phone : 0471 - 2337002, 2337003, 2337005 Fax: 0471 - 2337004 (http://www.jalanidhi.com)
Secondly, the Communication & Capacity Development Unit for Watsan, Kerala (Contact Dr. Latha Bhaskar [email protected]) has also produced 2 documentary films – on Swajaldhara and Samoohya Jelasureksha (Water Security) for training and capacity building.
Kumar Tiku, UNDP, New Delhi
I would also add the film “Swaraaj: The Little Republic” – directed by Anwar Jamaal and scripted by Ms Sehio Singh - to your list of films.
Duration - 90 min, Color Language – Hindi Year of production – 2002 Producers: Sehio Singh, George Mathew, Institute of Social Sciences
Theme: Set in a remote village in the beautiful desert landscape of Rajasthan in western India, the film tells the story of Leela, an energetic and intelligent low caste woman, who gets one of the seats reserved for women, in the village panchayat. She is determined to bring water to her community, but vested interests – both rural and urban – stand in her way. Leela fights the system, with the help of her women friends, and finally succeeds. But there is a high price to be paid for this victory.
Sanjay Barnela, Moving Images, New Delhi*
I am attaching information regarding our films on water along with the production details and synopses of a few important ones -
1. “Hunting Down Water” (32 minutes, English with subtitles) Directed by Sanjay Barnela & Vasant Saberwal Produced by Moving Images, D - 3 / 3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Website: www.movingimagesindia.com Year of production: 2003
Theme: If there is an environmental crisis in India today it is to do with water. It is a crisis largely of our own making. It is not about failing monsoons or about the natural scarcity. Areas that were formerly water surplus today have an acute and chronic shortage of water. This transformation has come about largely because of changing patterns of water use. Cropping patterns have altered across the country, with low water-demanding pulses giving way to water intensive cash cropping. Three crops a year have replaced two. Some of these transformations are necessary to meet the growing food requirements of a hungry nation.
Much of the additional demand for water has been met from tube wells that have mushroomed over the Indian landscape. But as water has been pumped to the surface, so has the water table fallen. In parts of northern Gujarat, water is now available 800 feet below the surface. With the water table falling at 30 feet a year, water supplies simply will not last.
There is a social dimension to this crisis. Inevitably, rural India, and the very poor, have had to face the brunt of the water shortage. Water is pumped or diverted from rural India to meet the unending needs of India’s urban population – as drinking water, but also, to wash cars, to fill swimming pools, or to ensure adequate water in water amusement parks. Equally, as the water table plummets, tube wells and hand pumps have gone dry. Denied this most basic resource, more and more of the rural poor are now forced to migrate – in search of work, but also, increasingly, simply in search of water.
“Hunting Down Water” is a documentation of this growing pan-Indian water crisis.
2. “River Taming Mantras” (31 minutes, English with subtitles) Directed by Sanjay Barnela & Vasant Saberwal Produced by Moving Images, D - 3 / 3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Website: www.movingimagesindia.com Year of production: 2004
Large parts of eastern India are subject to annual flooding. Over the last 50 years the government has built thousands of kilometres of embankments in an attempt to tame the rivers of the region. Despite the massive expenditure, the area vulnerable to flooding has only increased. 16% of Bihar is now permanently waterlogged, a direct consequence of the construction of embankments.
River Taming Mantras explores the technological, economic and political rationale that underlies the adoption of such flood control measures. The film argues that these attempts to control rivers are unlikely to succeed. On the other hand, the vast sums spent on the building and maintenance of these embankments provides endless opportunities for the siphoning of funds. Flood relief is a milk cow no one wants to see go dry.
3. “Water Business Is Good Business” (26 minutes, English with subtitles) Directed by Sanjay Barnela & Vasant Saberwal Produced by Moving Images, D - 3 / 3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Website: www.movingimagesindia.com Year of production: 2004
India’s water bottling industry has grown from scratch to an annual turnover in excess of 1,800 crore rupees (1 crore = 10 million). While this may be partially related to the emerging purchasing power of the middle class it is also an accurate reflection of the accelerating water crisis in urban India. This crisis does not, of course, affect all urban dwellers equally. For if Lutyen’s Delhi receives 250 litres per person per day, the slums of Najafgarh receive less than 30 litres per person per day.
This crisis is rooted not so much in the overall availability of water, as in the patterns of consumption, a failure to regulate consumption through appropriate and equitable tariff structures, and a mindset that seeks to source water from the rural countryside, rather than in conserving water that falls within our own cities.
This film travels from Delhi, to Indore and from Bombay to Chennai in exploring the politics and economics of urban water supplies. In each instance we come across the same solution to the emerging crisis – the construction of mega-projects to bring water from distant rivers to our various cities. But his is fire-fighting at best. For even as we source water from distant locations, with all the attendant problems of displacing rural people from their homes and livelihoods, the growing needs of exploding, upwardly mobile urban populations will simply ensure a continually growing need for water and more water.
4. “The Algebra of Water” (48 minutes, English with subtitles) Directed by Sanjay Barnela & Vasant Saberwal Produced by Moving Images, D - 3 / 3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Website: www.movingimagesindia.com Year of production: 2004
5. “Small Remedies” (28 minutes, English with subtitles) (A film on community based water management in India) Directed by Sanjay Barnela & Vasant Saberwal Produced by Moving Images, D - 3 / 3425, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi-110070 Website: www.movingimagesindia.com Year of production: 2004
This was the 5-part series of films on water looking at the politics of access and distribution of water across India. Hope this information is useful.
Prema Gera, UNDP, New Delhi
A documentary film ‘Whose Water’ was supported under a UNDP- Ministry of Rural Development programme and examines the water policy in India and how people's initiatives are changing water management in the country.
Duration: 30 minutes, colour Language: Hindi with sub-titles in English Year of production: 2002 Producer: Krishnendu Bose, Earthcare Films
Mrinalinee Vanarase, IORA for Environmental Solutions, Pune (response 2)
It is great to know that there are so many films available on water! Here is the information on the two films that I mentioned.
1) Name of the film – “Of King, Pawns and Warrior” Director - Jyoti Patil Producer - Jan Jagran Andolan Duration - 45 minutes language - English Theme/ subject (3 to 4 lines) - People's movement against a chemical factory that led to the ground water pollution Year of production - 2005 Location of production - Chipari village in Kolhapur dist. of Maharashtra
2) Name - “Mi Masa Boltoya” (It's me the fish speaking) Director - Jyoti Patil Producer - BAIF Duration - Six minutes Language - Marathi with English subtitles Theme - Migration of fish in streams and the importance of constructing fish ladders on the check dams Year of production - 2004 Location - Nasik, Maharashtra
Apoorva Mishra, Knowledge Networking for Rural Development in Asia/Pacific Region (ENRAP), New Delhi*
ENRAP (a knowledge networking collaboration between International Development Research Centre and the International Fund for Agriculture and Development) has some films on water related issues that has been made by projects and also for projects.
The Chhattisgarh Tribal Development Project has a film on Watershed development for Agriculture. You can download the film from: http://www.enrap.org/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showgall&gid=4
There is also a film made by Project REAP in Matale, Sri Lanka, after they received training in DV documentation. However, this is in Sinhalese and has not been translated into other languages. You can view it at: http://www.enrap.org/index.php?module=My_eGallery&do=showgall&gid=7&p=
The two CD sets we have of the DVD films gives a short description of the films and can be collected from IDRC.
Hope this is helpful.
Nimmi Chauhan, Drishti - Media, Arts and Human Rights, Ahmedabad*
This is the synopsis of my film on drinking water. Just for clarification, this is a dramatised film and not an interview based film.
“Aa Varas Nahi Rahe Taras” (This Year There Will Be No Thirst!) 42 minutes, Gujarati and English 2003
A village in 'Panchal' region, district Surendranagar, Gujarat… a region plagued with recurring droughts, where 'virdas' (dugouts in the riverbed) are the only source of water, where women spend most of their time searching for water, where people are forced to migrate in search of livelihood. Based on the experiences of seven villages, this film documents the story of what is possible when a few women resolve to find a solution to the drinking water crisis in their village. Their effort takes them on a journey to empowerment—from individual solutions for their homes to community solutions; from the private space of 'home' to the public spaces like the ' village panchayat' and the 'neighbouring village'—in the process, negotiating with men within home and village, breaking the traditional roles sanctioned by the society, forging new identities for themselves.
Directed by: Nimmi Chauhan Produced by: Drishti Media Collective Presented by: Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, India (AKRSP, India)
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