The Peace and Conflict Film Series continues tonight at the USD Institute for Peace and Justice Theater with a free screening of "India Untouched" at 6:30pm tonight April 27 followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Stalin K.
"India Untouched" is an award-wining 2007 documentary by Stalin K and co-produced by Drishti Media. The film won Best Documentary at Mahindra IAAC Film Festival in New York, and Best Film at the 10th Mumbai International Film Festival, India. The film makes the case that untouchability is still practiced in India today. The film looks to the lives of “untouchables” in India and how they are treated as inferiors and in an inhumane way, and are isolated from the rest of the community. The film was selected as part of the ongoing and commendable film series highlighting struggles around the globe and advocating for the human rights.
The film was unavailable for preview but the press materials state: "it is perhaps the most comprehensive look at caste oppression ever undertaken on film. Director Stalin K. spent four years traveling the length and breadth of the country to bear witness to the continued exclusion of Dalits, who bear the weight of a 4000 year-old religious system. From the campus of JNU, to medieval villages just outside our metropolises, this film exposes Untouchability in eight states and across four religions. The film’s canvas is stretches from Manu to matrimonial columns. In an age where the media projects only one image of a Rising India and urges the public to dismantle the reservation system, this film reminds us how far we are from being an equal society. "
The organization Drishti, that co-produced the film, uses "media and the arts to build empowered communities that value self-expression and uphold human rights. We believe that community media has the power to revolutionize grassroot struggles and to promote sustainable change. Therefore, we are actively working to build a media of the people, for the people and by the people in partnership with NGOs around India."
Filmmaker and human rights activist Stalin K is scheduled to answer questions form the audience following the film. The screening is free.
"India Untouched" is in Hindi, Bhojpuri, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Gujarati with English subtitles.
