• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Login
NRI Affairs
Youtube Channel
  • News
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Visa
  • Other
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Visa
  • Other
No Result
View All Result
NRI Affairs
No Result
View All Result
Home Other

Film Review: ‘All That Breathes’ by Shaunak Sen

'All That Breathes' makes you re-think what you know about compassion, climate justice, political resistance, family, tradition, and country. More precisely, what is India and who are Indians? | Sapna Samant

Sapna Samant by Sapna Samant
December 24, 2022
in Other
Reading Time: 3 mins read
A A
0
abc
181
SHARES
1.6k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Advertisements

‘The Constitution has to be saved’, a disjointed voice jumbles out of an invisible loudspeaker as Salik Rehman steps out of a door on to the streets of Wazirabad in East Delhi.

Salik goes about his work, seemingly not bothered by the inquilabi (revolutionary) pronouncements. There are bigger things to do.

Like saving black kites.

Down in the basement, side by side of manufacturing liquid soap dispensers, brothers Muhammed Saud and Nadeem Shehzad, along with Salik, care for the birds affected by Delhi’s pollution or injured by the manjha, cotton thread covered with crushed glass used in kite flying battles.

Shaunak Sen’s award-winning documentary All That Breathes follows Saud, Nadeem and Salik while they rescue, save and nurture the black kites of Delhi. As Nadeem describes, Delhi’s atmosphere has changed and so have the creatures that live there. The cheel, or the beautiful, majestic kite, is a bird of habit, and every kite has its own code. But nature now demands that we, all living creatures, all who breathe, break that code to adjust to the environment.

As I stare at the computer screen attempting to express my emotions in a rational, review like manner, India is in the throes of a genocide that can only get worse. If ever there was an Indian film that captures the beginnings of that genocide, bearing witness to the early days of the Shaheen Bagh sit-in* and the anti-Muslim pogrom that took place in North-East Delhi soon after, then this is it.

The stupefaction of a vast populace while people around them are lynched and dehumanised, while the decay spreads, unable to recognise that when the environment changes, everyone is affected and it is up to us, all who breathe, to look after each other.

Because we all need each other to exist. And we learn it from these three men.

Advertisements

That is the simplest takeaway from this deeply philosophical film that unfolds like a painting from Vasudeo Gaitonde. The light is low, the smog suffuses everything, creatures big and tiny make their way around in nooks and crannies, a turtle on an open rubbish dump, mosquito larvae swimming in dirty water, an owl staring from a crack in a wall and the mighty kite, many mighty kites gliding across the sky.

Into intimate spaces and across the Wazirabad landscape, brothers reminiscing about their mother, bantering, sometimes disagreeing, Nadeem teasing Salik about a Mercedes ambulance for birds when they receive funding and mourning dead birds are just some of the images that descend into your brain.

‘All That Breathes’ makes you re-think what you know about compassion, climate justice, political resistance, family, tradition, and country. More precisely, what is India and who are Indians?

In times when embassies and high commissions spread misinformation about films, attempting to change history with their belligerence, it becomes imperative to see and hear the voices of the oppressed.

The fear of the Indian Muslim today is legitimate. Nadeem, Saud and Salik are no different but their faith in their work and their connection to the cheel are greater than the forces of Hindu nationalism because what they manifest is pure love.

I wept.

(‘All That Breathes’ had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival in January 2022, where it won Grand Jury Prize in World Cinema Documentary Competition. It also won the Golden Eye award for the best documentary at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival in special screening section.)

Share72Tweet45Send
Sapna Samant

Sapna Samant

Dr Sapna Samant is based in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. She is a medical doctor, writer and filmmaker. Dr. Sapna Samant Creative Head, Director. www.holycowmedia.com Twitter: @drsapna drsapnasays.com https://vimeo.com/holycowmedia/debtswepay https://vimeo.com/holycowmedia/kimbapmaster https://vimeo.com/holycowmedia/dancebabydance Views expressed are personal.

Related Posts

paddy o sullivan rsmlgiahfoU unsplash scaled e1675763470723
Other

When faith actors combine forces with climate activists

February 7, 2023
The Big Short: How Hindenburg Research triggered Adani Group’s price plunge
Other

The Big Short: How Hindenburg Research triggered Adani Group’s price plunge

February 5, 2023
A harmonious convergence of teaching, learning and humanitarian goals – Indian-origin, Australian PM Awardee Ms. Veena Nair sets an example
Other

A harmonious convergence of teaching, learning and humanitarian goals – Indian-origin, Australian PM Awardee Ms. Veena Nair sets an example

January 17, 2023
Next Post
Manjula O'Connor's new book Daughters of Durga

A clinical psychiatrist reveals how Indian women in Australia experience family violence – and how to combat it

Nupur Sharma BJP

US condemns India party official Nupur Sharma's remarks on prophet

Hundreds of women wear sarees at the Royal Ascot event in Britain

Hundreds of women wear sarees at the Royal Ascot event in Britain

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Bollywood car sydney

Australia’s only Indian-style taxi needs help to stay alive

10 months ago
india 669342 1920

मत जलाना मेरा ऋण!

2 years ago
Anthony Albanese vaisakhi

‘Warmth and generosity of the Sikh community know no bounds’: Anthony Albanese sends Vaisakhi wishes

11 months ago
Adam Marshall med rel - Two thousand overseas agricultural workers arrive in NSW

2,000 overseas agricultural workers arrive in NSW

2 years ago

Categories

  • Literature
  • Multimedia
  • News
  • nriaffairs
  • Other
  • People
  • Top Stories
  • Uncategorized
  • Views
  • Visa

Topics

Air India Australia california Canada caste CECA COVID COVID-19 cricket ECTA Europe free trade FTA Geeta Germany Hindu Human Rights immigration India india-australia Indian Indian-American Indian-origin Indian Students Khalistan London Melbourne Modi Muslim New Zealand NRI NSW oci quarantine Singapore Sydney travel UAE uk Ukraine US USA Victoria visa women
NRI Affairs

© 2021 NRI Affairs.

Navigate Site

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Video
  • Opinion
  • Culture
  • Visa
  • Other

© 2021 NRI Affairs.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT