Browse Films

With infectious optimism, three young men eke out a living in India's largest cities using public art to express their hopes and dreams. In Delhi, Azad paints film billboards as an escape from the destruction of his home and personal art by government bulldozers. In Bombay, Ashok paints traditional images to keep alive his Warli tribal heritage even though he's abandoned his rural life for the opportunities of the city. Throughout Madras, G Mani puts his name on posters idolizing a film star, gaining power and prestige at odds with his job selling peanuts. For some the public walls hold the most private hopes.

standout short...will make lovers of Third World art foam with desire.
Richard von Busack
Metro Silicon Valley
full review

This superb documentary demonstrates the importance of ethnographic film-making in illuminating the lives of those on the margins of society...we see how powerful a force hope can be in the lives of the poor and dispossessed.
This film will be useful in a large number of disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, politics, urban studies, art, and South Asian studies.
Akhil Gupta, Professor, UCLA Department of Anthropology

full review

The film is ideally suited for classroom use as each character sketch raises a number of issues for discussion: the role of cinema in everyday life; the politics of urban redevelopment; the intersection of cinema and electoral democracy; the commodification of indigenous artistic traditions; and many, many others.
Tejaswini Ganti Assistant Professor, New York University Department of Anthropology Program in Culture & Media

full review

A stunning documentary that explores art as an expression of class, circumstance and culture
Deepa Mehta, Academy Award-nominated director of Water

interesting slice of life portrait of 3 artists... Recommended ***
T. Keogh
Video Librarian

AWARDS & SCREENINGS:

• WINNER - Silver Remi Award - Worldfest Houston

• WINNER - Bronze Plaque - Columbus International Film Festival

• - Official Selection - Al Jazeera International Film Festival

• - Official Selection - San Francisco Intl. Asian American Film Festival

• - Official Selection - Film South Asia (Nepal)

• PBS Broadcast (USA)

• Bravo! TV -National Broadcast (Canada)

• Al Jazeera English -International Broadcast

• NDTV -National Broadcast (India)