Water
Today we open the acclaimed and controversial Indian film "Water." The film centers on the way widows have been traditionally treated in India, not allowed to remarry and considered bad luck and even shunned. By questioning these traditional values, the film has created an uproar from certain fundamentalist factions in India. The film set was protested during production, where in January 2000 Hindu nationalists claimed the film was anti-Hindu. The film set was ransacked and production was shut down for four years.
This is the third film of a triptych of films from director Deepa Mehta. "Water" completes the previous two films in the series, "Fire" from 1996, and "Earth" from 1998.
George Lucas took out an ad in Variety Magazine to lend his moral support to the director, because of the negative reaction she was receiving in her home country during production. "I think it's slightly naïve for me to think that films make a difference," says Ms. Mehta in a recent New York Times article. "But what it can do is start a dialogue and provoke discussion."
"The sorrowful film is nonetheless a triumph of conscience over blind faith, and a powerful message about how much, and how little, has changed in India," says the New York Times,- May 3, 2006.
"Water" is absolutely beautiful on so many levels. I hesitate to say more, for I feel that this film must be experienced first, then talked about later. I'm sitting watching the credits roll right now, and am truly in awe. And I need a tissue to wipe my eyes. Sob.
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"Water" comes to us with such timeliness too, because at the end of June, the Grand will have its first ever Bollywood film series!! Four great films from India, all of them recent releases and big hits in India, will be screening over the course of one week. Much more info to come, so stay tuned!!
This is the third film of a triptych of films from director Deepa Mehta. "Water" completes the previous two films in the series, "Fire" from 1996, and "Earth" from 1998.
George Lucas took out an ad in Variety Magazine to lend his moral support to the director, because of the negative reaction she was receiving in her home country during production. "I think it's slightly naïve for me to think that films make a difference," says Ms. Mehta in a recent New York Times article. "But what it can do is start a dialogue and provoke discussion."
"The sorrowful film is nonetheless a triumph of conscience over blind faith, and a powerful message about how much, and how little, has changed in India," says the New York Times,- May 3, 2006.
"Water" is absolutely beautiful on so many levels. I hesitate to say more, for I feel that this film must be experienced first, then talked about later. I'm sitting watching the credits roll right now, and am truly in awe. And I need a tissue to wipe my eyes. Sob.
-----
"Water" comes to us with such timeliness too, because at the end of June, the Grand will have its first ever Bollywood film series!! Four great films from India, all of them recent releases and big hits in India, will be screening over the course of one week. Much more info to come, so stay tuned!!
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