DAM/AGE 2002
Distributed by First Run/Icarus Films, 32 Court St., 21st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 800-876-1710
Produced by Aradhana Seth
Directed by Aradhana Seth
VHS, color, 50 min.
College - Adult
Anthropology, Asian Studies, Human Rights
Date Entered: 12/17/2003
Reviewed by Geetha Yapa, Science Library, University of California, RiversideDAM/AGE is based on a series of conversations the filmmaker had with Arundathy Roy, the author of the Booker Prize winning novel The God of Small Things. These conversations include excerpts from Roy’s essay “The Greater Common Good” where she shares her political views about the Narmada Dam Project in India. With the help of archival footage, the film traces the history behind the Narmada Project, the campaign to halt dam building in India, and the events that led to Roy’s arrest for contempt of court.
At the beginning of the film Roy talks about the events that prompted her to write about the Narmada Valley and how the study of the mathematics behind the project let to the shocking discovery of facts and figures that did not exist. The magnitude of the problem is revealed with very simple computations that successive governments in India have ignored simply in order to inflate the benefits for political gain. She also highlights the “ethnic otherness” of the victims that happen to be India’s poorest people who are forced to subsidize the lifestyle of the richest. While questioning the democratic principles behind such actions, she also criticizes India’s nuclear testing and the judicial system. The film captures the court event as it unfolds, providing the viewer the opportunity to witness Roy’s personal dilemma as she fights this very public battle.
The beauty of the documentary lies in the manner in which Roy questions the actions of the Indian State and International Organizations such as the World Bank so eloquently. According to Roy the story is not just about modern India, but what is happening in the world. It is about "who counts and who doesn’t; what counts as collateral damage and what doesn’t”. Roy considers it her responsibility as a writer to continue the battle through creating greater awareness about the issues involved. The ideas presented in the film provide ample ground for discussion and contemplation. Highly recommended for college and academic libraries with strong Asian Studies collections.
The documentary titled Drowned Out. We Can't Wish Them Away (2002) provides a wealth of information about the impact of dam building in India.
Additional information could be accessed from the following web sites:
The Greater Common Good by Arundathy Roy
Friends of River Narmada
Awards:
- Women's Achievement Award, 2003 One World Media Awards