Canada,
1994, 87 min
Shown in 1995
CREDITS
- dir
-
Ali Kazimi
- scr
-
Ali Kazimi
- cam
-
Ali Kazimi
- editor
-
Steve Weslak
- source
-
Peripheral Visions
- gga award
-
Golden Spire, Film & Video: Short Documentary
OTHER
In Central India flows the Narmada River, considered holy by the Bhil and Bhilal, indigenous people who have lived on its banks for thousands of years. It is also where the Indian government plans to construct one of the world’s largest dams. Narmada: A Valley Rises vividly chronicles the grassroots movement to fight the destruction of the river and age-old traditions. Ali Kazimi plunges straight into the heart of this struggle (one little known outside the region) and captures the stark juxtaposition between government pro-dam supporters and determined, newly-galvanized men and (most significantly) women. Activist Medha Petkar, who received the prestigious Goldman Environmental Award for her efforts, helps organize a march that will carry some 6,000 people over 150 miles to protest the dam construction, a march utilizing principles of resistance used by Mahatma Ghandi. For some this will be their first-ever contact with authorities and the possibility of arrest. Rough, immediate and moving, Narmada provides a textbook blueprint for political organizing.
—Alfonso Alvarez
FACTOID #175
In 1967, two years prior to her death, the Festival honored Judy Garland in the first (according to the program note) American homage of her work. Garland was unable to attend.
