Reel of change

Gurnaaz Kaur

Box office every week reflects how big a business film industry is. But are films simply about entertainment? It turns out this mass medium also works as a catalyst for change. We’ve had big banners filming some of the world’s most pressing issues and win praise and awards. Banking on the same idea, Amnesty India has initiated a film festival that focuses on human rights. 

“Sometimes it is important to amplify a message that needs an urgent action and nothing does it better than an audio-video medium. Then there is also a need to engage youth in the current issues. Through this festival we want to not only send out a message but also empower them. Films are an effective tool in influencing the way we perceive the world and we want to make it a positive one,” explains Sanam Sutirath Wazir, senior campaigner.

Chandigarh felt like the right place to launch the festival for two reasons. Sanam says the city has been very supportive in Amnesty India’s past endeavours, and such dialogues need to be brought about in small cities. 

Held at the Government Museum and Art Gallery, this festival, that promotes the culture of human rights, showcased 10 of the14 independent films shortlisted for the occasion from the 700 initial entries from across the world. The films dealt with array of issues. 

There were over 150 students from various colleges and universities who attended the screening, which was followed by an interactive session that discussed the issues in the films, role of youth in promoting human rights and the imperativeness of responsible cinema. Actress Savita Bhatti, who was a part of the event, interacted with the audience and said, “Art is an important way to build a culture of respect for rights and encourage activism in defending those rights. It is not necessary that one has to carry out rallies or raise slogans. One can fight injustice with their skill and young filmmakers have showcased their independent thoughts so skilfully here; that’s a positive start.”

Avalum Avanum, a film that focused on trials and tribulations of the transgender community in India by Cinrela Mary, was awarded the Best Film while the Best Story was given to Fazila Amri’s Unknown Artist, which tells the story of a 17-year-old married woman working at the only women’s radio station in the city of Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

gurnaaz@tribunemail.com