A Tribe of His Own: The Journalism of P. Sainath 2001
Distributed by Bullfrog Films, PO Box 149, Oley, PA 19547; 800-543-FROG (3764)
Produced by Moulins Media with the participation of the Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund, the Saskatchewan Communications Network, The Knowledge Network, Canadian Television Fund; and Canadian International Development Agency
Directed by Joe Moulins
VHS, color, 50 min.
Sr. High - Adult
Media Studies, Journalism, Asian Studies, Biography, Human Rights, Social Sciences
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Margaret M. Reed, Riley-Hickingbotham Library, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, ARIn an age where corporate profits and political spin seem to dominate the field of journalism, there are some who defy the status quo and practice their craft as a catalyst for social change. Indian journalist Palagummi Sainath is a prime example.
A Tribe of His Own follows Sainath’s efforts to raise awareness about the dire conditions of the neediest among India’s 400 million poverty-stricken people. After writing a series of articles about their situation in The Times of India, Sainath spent nearly two years in the ten poorest areas of his country, chronicling and photographing their meager existence. His journey was also a “mobile media workshop” of sorts, whereby Sainath taught young men and women in these remote villages how to be journalists and how to use journalism to promote their communities.
What makes A Tribe of His Own so compelling is not the squalor of the people Sainath so vividly captures in his still shots and stories. It is their tremendous fight for human dignity and self-sufficiency. His reporting steers away from the typical angles of starvation and plight and instead emphasizes the measures the people themselves have taken to make the best of their circumstances. As a result, the government’s hand has been forced to intervene in several situations Sainath has covered. In addition, activists have gleaned ideas from Sainath’s work and applied them to their struggling communities. Overall, the film demonstrates how Sainath uses journalism as a tool to overcome the barriers of India’s caste system and to create mutual respect among all social classes.
A Tribe of His Own won The Chris Award at the 2002 Columbus International Film & Video Festival and the Inspiration Award at the 2002 Global Visions Film Festival. It was also showcased at the 2002 Vermont International Film Festival. Highly recommended for journalism and contemporary issues courses.