Shorts Program: Third I South Asian Shorts 2007
A compelling and inspiring array of South Asian short films from India, the United Kingdom and the United States. —Ivan Jaigirdar
The Naming Ceremony
India | 2006 | 18 minsDirector: Konkona Sensharma
A charming and whimsical tale about two sisters finding ingenious ways to make ends meet. Konkona Sensharma’s directorial debut, and arguably her first steps in following her mother, the famous director Aparna Sen.
Clear Cut, Simple
USA | 2006 | 14 minsDirector: Vineet Dewan
When a young U.S. Army officer receives news from his commander that his trusted Iraqi interpreter is allegedly an insurgent, their friendship is put to the ultimate test. Based on a true story.
Battle of Lanka
USA | 2006 | 3 minsDirector: Nina Paley
Chapter Four of Sita Sings The Blues—another new twist on an old myth. The battle for Sita.
Monsoon
U S A, India | 2006 | 21 minsDirector: Shyam Balse
Spiritual practice and superstitions clash with science and rationality when Govinda, a cardiologist based in California, returns to India to treat his ailing father.
Hanuman Finds Sita
USA | 2006 | 3 minsDirector: Nina Paley
Chapter Three of Sita Sings The Blues—a new twist on an old myth. After the abduction of Sita, the monkey God Hanuman finds her.
Zohra
United Kingdom | 2006 | 14 minsDirector: Kemal Akhtar
Set in 1960 and based on a real event, the film follows the sudden departure of an 18-year-old Pakistani girl from her native Karachi to London, and her adventures upon arriving in a world far different from anything that she has known.
Writings on the Wall
Canada | 2006 | 24 minsDirectors: Angad Bahlla,Siddhartha Luther
A critical documentary that informs and explores pop, underground and alternative art cultures. Whether film billboards, political posters, Warli traditional art or graffitti tagging, all survive on the margins in spite of, and as a refuge from, the ever-present industrial, film and business worlds.
Dandaka Dharma
USA | 2005 | 3 minsDirector: Nina Paley
Chapter One of Sita Sings The Blues. An animation based on Sita’s adventures in the ancient Indian epic the Ramayana. Two more chapters follow later in this compilation, all accompanied by the bluesy tracks of Annette Hanshaw.
