Film Screenings as part of the exhibition 'A journey with India's pastoralists by Living Lightly'

The art of Pastoralism, pastoral breeds, and communities have inspired many artists to produce outstanding cinematic work over the years. Filmmakers have captured the subtleties of pastoral lives and livelihoods through their lenses and Pastoral landscapes have formed the backdrop to many films that, collectively, have presented stories of pastoral value systems, ecosystems, relationships, hardships and the joy of such lives in vivid shades of color, music, poetry, and prose.

Sanjay Barnela, a renowned filmmaker and educator will curate a selection of films that presents a peek into pastoralism in regions across the world. Six of these films from this selection will be screened for public viewing during the exhibition on pastoralism while the others will be available for sale at the site.

Dates: December 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, & 17
Time: 6:00PM onwards 
Where: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)

Sanjay Barnela

A founder member of Moving Images, a Delhi-based media production team comprising filmmakers and academic researchers, Barnela has, over two decades, made documentaries on a range of environmental issues, at the core of all of which is “the politics of the environment – the politics that determine outcomes where competing interests lay claim to scarce natural resources.” 

He is an award winning documentary filmmaker, as cameraperson, editor, associate director and voyager-on-the-go, for various films on issues of water, conservation, livelihood etc.

From 1987 to 1991 he worked as a Producer at the Centre for Development of Instructional Technology (CENDIT). He then took a detour into video journalism before returning to making documentaries. Among his many films are Vidyalayam, Boond Boond Se and Reaching for the Sun & Tales from the Indian Countryside.

About the screening

SOMEPLACE ELSE
Celluloid Journeys of Pastoralists Across the World

In this digital age where social media is bursting with youtube shares, likes and videos going viral– the new metric of success, we bring to you an exclusive selection of five pastoral (not viral) films you are unlikely to find on the digital platform. These films have been curated by filmmaker, Sanjay Barnela who has produced a number of short films on pastoralism. 

Venue: Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA)
Date: 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th December
Time: 6:00 PM

Given below is the schedule and a description of the films, for your reference:Show Time: Screening of international films 10th, 12th-14th, 16th-17th December

 (6 p.m. onward)

10th December:

The Shepherdess of the Glaciers
By Christiane Mordelet and Stanzin Dorjai
Country: India
Language: Ladakhi with english subtitles
Duration: 1h 13m

Summary:
In the Himalayan High Plateaus, far from any human life, we will accompany Tsering, a shepherdess, throughout one year, thanks to her brother’s knowing camera. We will discover the moving and exceptional picture of a woman who has devoted her life to her cattle. In the Far Northern Mountains of India, in Ladakh, Tsering leads her flock of 300 sheep and Pashmina goats to graze on the 5500 m high Himalayan Plateaus. Surrounded by this dry and desolate landscape, she lives with her cattle under the continuous threat of wolves and snow leopards. Her brother followed her during one year and filmed her exhausting work: both exceptional and moving pictures in which we discover the maternal tie between her and her sheep.

12th December:

The story of the weeping camel
By Byambasuren Davaa & Luigi Falorni
Country: Mongolia
Language: Mongolian with english subtitles
Duration: 1h 34 m

Summary:
In the spring of the Gobi Desert, in South Mongolia, a nomadic family of shepherds has troubles when one camel has a tough two days delivery, immediately rejecting the offspring. The family unsuccessfully uses their best efforts trying to force the female to accept and feed the newborn. When there is no further hope of saving the animal, they send their two sons to bring a musician from the nearest town to perform a ritual and save the "baby camel".

14th December:

Khwada
By Bhaurao Kharade
Country: India
Language: Marathi with english subtitles
Duration:  2 hrs

Summary:
The National Award winning film is a story about the Dangar shepherds who lose their grazing lands to acquisition by the forest department. The story unravels as they migrate from one place to another and are forced to seek dependence on upper-caste landlords, even as their dreams of a settlement get shattered by different obstacles.

16th December:

Latcho Drom
By Tony Gatlif
Country: France
Language: French, Rajasthani, Spanish, Armenian
Subtitles: English
Duration: 1h 43m

Summary:
The groundbreaking 1993 French documentary film encompasses the journey of the Romany people narrated through musicians and dancers of India, Egypt, Turkey, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, France and Spain.
The film uses delightful song and dance,  the young and old celebrate, embody, and teach the cultural values of family, journey, love, separateness, and persecution.

17th December:
Ainda Há Pastores? (There are still shepherds?)
by Jorge Pelicano
Country: Portugal
Language: Portuguese with english subtitles
Duration: 1h 15m

Summary:

"Cheese is like a kid: change a diaper every day, wash it every day, "says Herminio, the main character of the film, Ainda há Pastores ("There are still shepherds?"). The film tells the enchanting story of the last men who roam the mountains of Portugal with their animals, in particular, the history of Herminio, "the newest and craziest of the shepherds."