bol ayesha bol | speak ayesha speak

PREMIERE, INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL, AMSTERDAM.

synopsis

The film is about the empowerment of rural women in a small district in South India. The story of Ayesha, a 16-year-old girl, pregnant out of wedlock, shunned by her family, but supported by the women of the village, becomes the metaphor for change among these women.

This articulation of female opinion is just one facet of change brought about by the Coolie Sangha, a union of low-paid agricultural labourers. Besides this, the Sangha continues to fight against the pressures of powerful landlords, moneylenders, a male dominated culture and unproductive farmland.

Bol Ayesha Bol attempts to document this process of change. Made for the people themselves, the film celebrates the strength and resilience of the people of Bagepalli.

45 MINUTES | TELUGU |ENGLISH SUBTITLES.

credits

Concept & Direction: Sunanda Bhat | Cinematography: Vinod Raja | Editing: Ajit Hari, Sunanda Bhat

review

FILMWAVES by John Digance

“Despite its harsh subject matter the film affirms the possibility of change and has uplifting moments like a shadow puppet performance and laughing men and women spontaneously breaking convention by swimming, fully clothed, together in the village pond…” read more »

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ini oru vidhi seyvoam | let’s make it right

WINNER, GOLD DROP AWARD, INTERNATIONAL WATER AND FILM EVENTS, MARSEILLES, FRANCE.

synopsis

The film is set in a village in South India where conventional ideas of pollution and purity are deeply entrenched. Absence of good practices in hygiene and sanitation results in the spread of waterborne diseases. Lack of a toilet at home makes it particularly difficult for women who experience a loss of privacy and dignity.

The film introduces the concept of toilets for every home through the story of a family. The father cannot understand why his family should not continue their traditional practice of open defecation, until he is confronted by a series of events that changes his way of thinking. People of the village become aware of the connection between illness and open defecation at a meeting held in the village temple. They discuss their problems with a representative from an NGO and are assured of assistance in the form of loans and other schemes.

The villagers pledge to become 100% open defecation free.

20 MINUTES | TAMIL | ENGLISH SUBTITLES

credits

Script and direction: Sunanda Bhat | Cinematography: Rakesh Haridas | Editing: V G Baskar, Sunanda Bhat | Music: Premsagar

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nalai nammadai | tomorrow is ours

synopsis

This is the story of a young girl who benefits from the influence of her schoolteacher. He conveys the message of micro insurance to the villagers. Made for the Bridge Foundation and TATA-AIG, this 20 minute short film uses the popular 'Bollywood' format with songs and dramatized real life situations to create an impact.

This form of story telling with actors has been extremely successful and was screened in several countries besides India. 

20 MINUTES | TAMIL | ENGLISH SUBTITLES

credits

Script and direction: Sunanda Bhat | Cinematography: Vinod Raja | Music: Suresh Peters | Editor: V A Ashok

© TATA-AIG. 2002

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yoga as therapy

synopsis

Hema Malini, Indian film actor and yoga practitioner presents a 14 part series on yoga, as a form of therapy, to treat everyday ailments like headache and back pain and life threatening diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

The film examines the effect of modern-day lifestyle and gives simple tips to help overcome stress, through change in lifestyle, food habits and regular practice of yoga.

TV SERIES | 27 MINUTES | ENGLISH

credits

Concept & Direction: Sunanda Bhat | Cinematography: Vinod Raja | Editing: Christopher Burchell, V G Baskar, Sunanda Bhat
Music: Konarak Reddy | Opening titles: Ramu Aravindan, Sathish Kumar

© Goodlife Entertainment

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other films

athani to dusseldorf

On the transformation of debt-ridden artisans of a dry North Karnataka town from being marginalized to becoming participants at the International Shoe Fair in Germany.

© ASCENT | 2006 | 50 minutes