Maadathy
India is a land of Subaltern deities for and by clans and communities. Locally known as siru theivam in Tamil (little-deities), the presence of these deities is supreme, and they reign every enclave of sub-continent. Each little deity has unique legends of his or her origin. These legends are often interwoven with socio-historic tropes of India. Individuals who sacrificed their lives for greater cause of the society; people whose extra-ordinary and honourable actions paid to martyrdom; and those who people in authority and power unjustly massacred - were immortalized as deities in the Indian tradition of little or folk-deities. Puthirai vannaar is a Dalit caste group living in the southern part of Tamil Nadu in India. Their forced occupation is to wash the clothes of other Dalits, the dead, and the menstruating women. The sight of Puthirai vannaars, as per caste norms, could pollute the so-called upper caste groups. Puthirvannars were forced to live in shrubs to remain unseeable to others. Maadathy is their deity. This film is a tale about a young girl who grew up in Puthirai vannaar caste group and how she came to be immortalized as their local deity, Maadathy. Awards and official selections:
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In the loving Memory
Official Selections:An elderly woman suddenly inherits a large sum of money from her long-deceased husband and decides to use it to build a lavish tomb where she intends to rest in peace after her demise. She believes her days are numbered, and she has no will or apparent reason to live anymore. She shunned society long ago and comes across as a cantankerous and grumpy old lady. It is a common conviction that the octogenarian has become an abominable recluse after her husband's death. She constantly bickers with her maid and her neighbours, especially with a little child and his mother who live opposite her apartment. When the tomb is finally built, she regularly visits the nearby cemetery every morning. Days go by as the old lady awaits her death. But one morning, she discovers something unusual near her tomb. A thrilling and eventful couple of days await her.
Awards: Movie saints
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Mantra
Set in 2004, during a nationwide 'India Shining' campaign, the film Mantra tells the intimate story of a family and its travails, and through it, the story of the New India. The film's protagonist is Kapil Kapoor, the founder of an iconic Indian snack brand in the 'License Raj' old India. But today - in 2004 - he is fighting a losing battle against a multinational that has taken over the market. But it is not just his company that Kapil is desperately trying to save; it is also his wife and children battling their own crises. But for Kapil to hold on to everything that is dear to him - professionally and personally - he must confront himself; what he will save and lose depends on the extent to which he is willing to face his own demons. Mantra is a deeply personal film set against the landscape of a sprawling, changing India.
Film Festival Selections & Screenings: Youtube
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