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FEATURING:
Democracy Afghan Style
Produced by Tamara Gould and Bonni Cohen
Directed by Tamara Gould
Co-Director and Cinematographer Jon Shenk
Edited by Josh Peterson
Project Adviser (and CDDRL Fellow) J Alexander Thier
Original music by Homayoun Sachi and Marco D'Ambrosio.
Commentary to follow the film by the filmmakers.
This feature-length documentary is about nation building efforts in Afghanistan. The film tells the larger story of a not-quite-ready-for-prime-time nation trying to create peace, stability, and possibly democracy amidst the chaos of tribalism, a destroyed political culture, and the US war on terrorism. The film closely follows the dramatic run-up to Afghanistan's Constitutional Grand Council or Loya Jirga. The film highlights two compelling Afghan candidates who are hoping to represent their provinces when the Loya Jirga convenes in the capital, Kabul, in December 2003.
AND
Mirch Masala (Spicy Mix)
Directed by Ketan Mehta, stars Smita Patil and Naseeruddin Shah with commentary to follow by Professor Tuli Banerjee, MIT.
This beautiful film, directed by Ketan Mehta tells the story of the struggle of a peasant woman, Sonbai (played by Smita Patil), against a tyrannical tax collector (played by Naseeruddin Shah), whose advances she has spurned. The film is set in rural Gujarat in the 1940s. In order to protect herself from being raped by the subedar (tax-collector), Sonbai takes refuge in the chili grinding factory where she works. Despite pressure from the village leadership, she remains firm and locks herself and her fellow workers in the factory, refusing to come out and submit to the subedar. The subedar infuriated by this affront to his pride, terrorizes the entire village. As the conflict escalates, the village men and women react in various ways revealing their moral weaknesses and strengths.