AHIMSA in conjunction with TONGUES ON FIRE and CREAM, The Centre for Research and Education in Art and Media at the University of Westminster invite you to a programme of films and discussions
on Wednesday 31st March 2004 from 3pm onwards
3pm Seminar on Censorship of Documentary Films in India (Auditorium)
Introduction and Chair: Rosie Thomas
Indian government film censorship and the case of VIKALP, the 'banned Film Festival' Screening: AAKROSH (Cry of Anguish) 20mins
Through a series of interviews with survivors of the communal riots that swept Gujarat in February 2002, the film paints a graphic picture of the mindless violence and carnage of those weeks. Refused a censor certificate and banned from Mumbai's Official International Film Festival, the film has subsequently been shown around the world to great acclaim. Director RAMESH PIMPLE and camerawoman GEETA CHAWDA will be present to introduce the film and lead a discussion afterwards.
4.45pm Drinks Reception in the Garden Room, Harrow Campus.
5.30pm Screening: THE FINAL SOLUTION 149 mins (Lecture Theatre One)
Winner of two prizes at the recent Berlin International Film Festival, THE FINAL SOLUTION is a seering indictment of "the politics of hatred." Through painstaking documentation and careful analysis, this epic feature documentary presents a record of events in Gujarat between February 2002 and July 2003 and examines the consequences of Hindu-Moslem polarisation in the state.
RAKESH SHARMA, who will be present to discuss the film, began his film/TV career in 1986 as an assistant director on Shyam Benegal's Discovery of India. His last film 'Aftershocks :The Rough Guide to Democracy' won the Best Documentary Film award at Fribourg, Big Mini- DV and at Big Muddy and won 7 other awards {including the Robert Flaherty prize} at various 2002-2003 festivals in USA and Europe. It has been screened at over 90 international film festivals.
Venue Harrow Campus, University of Westminster. (Walking distance from Northwick Park tube station, Metropolitan Line. Car parking also available).