Film fest kicks off today, to feature NID alumnus film

The Ahmedabad International Film Festival (AIFF) 2009 will feature a film by an alumnus of National Institute of Design (NID). 
The film titled ‘Azadnagar & Gulamnagar’ by NID alumnus Pravin Mishra tells the story of bonded labourers and their condition prior to and after the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act was introduced.

Talking about the 28-minute-film, which has made an entry into AIFF under the short films category, Mishra said the film is a low budget one. “The film does not provide a solution. It merely portrays the situation,” he said.

The short film has documented the life and livelihood conditions of the people who have been freed from bonded labour and juxtaposes it with the life of those who still serve as bonded labourers. The practice of bonded labour is quite prevalent in Rajasthan. Shot in Madhya Pradesh, “Azadnagar” attempts to capture life after release from bonded labour. “Gulamnagar” shot in Rajasthan attempts to capture the situation of existing bonded labourers.

Talking about the uniqueness of his film, Mishra said the film has been appreciated a lot for its treatment of humans as objects.