The Shape of Water
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
I very recently used this quote in a post, but it seems appropriate to use it again for the efforts of Kum-Kum Bhavnani, the director of this fantastic documentary. And for the efforts of the extraordinary women that Kum-Kum features in this film.
I'm proud to say that Kum-Kum is a friend of mine. Will and I were lucky enough to see the film this past year here in Santa Barbara. And although we left feeling haunted by images of injustices, we also left feeling better for the knowledge and truly inspired by the work of these women in their communities and thus, the world. Their very lives give me hope that somewhere out there, they're doing their part to save the world. And even though my life is on a much more humble scale, I'll be trying to do my part as well. One should never think that their life doesn't matter.
"Kum-Kum Bhavnani has made a film about HOPE, not despair, about COURAGE, not sentimentality, with women who are in the act of creating a more just planet."
- Susan Sarandon, Academy Award Winner
"The world is a place fighting for change.
Kum-Kum Bhavnani's 'The Shape of Water' reminds us how to hope."
- Jeff Zimbalist, Director, Favela Rising
"There is another globalization at work and that
is the globalization of citizens connecting to each other."
- Vandana Shiva, The Shape of Water
Filmed over four years on three continents, THE SHAPE OF WATER
(70 minutes, February 2006: http://www.theshapeofwatermovie.com)
is an inspirational testament to grassroots activism.
SHAPE skillfully interweaves the stories of women such as
Khady (Senegal), Oraiza (Brazil), Bilkusben (India),
Dona Antonia (Brazil), Gila (Jerusalem) and
Vandana Shiva (India) -- seeking to end oppressive
social, political, and economic practices in remote corners of the
world.
The women are abandoning female genital mutilation,
tapping for rubber to protect the rainforest, protecting
the biodiversity of the planet and opposing military
occupation. THE SHAPE OF WATER offers a unique
view of the realities and visions of the women
through their passion to create a more just world.
The film works very well in classes that discuss
globalization and development, women's issues
and struggles, and the daily life of women in Latin America, Africa, Asia and in the Middle East.
The film allows the abstract and pervasive issue of
globalisation to become comprehensible in
human terms, and on a local scale.
Class discussion topics could include
the various impacts of globalization (on the rainforest,
the wisdom of large dams, biodiversity in agricultural
practices) and how and why people are
moved to make changes in their lives.
I have also used the film to make links
between plastic surgery in the US and
FGM in other parts of the world.
Narrated by Susan Sarandon, the documentary
has already won several awards -- Best Feature
Documentary (Reel Sisters of the Diaspora,
Brooklyn), Best Director, Documentary
(San Francisco Women's Film Festival),
and World Cinema Award (DC Independent
Film Festival) amongst others. It has also
screened around the United States and in
Trinidad, Rome, Barcelona, Durban, Vancouver, the UK and Ankara.
THE SHAPE OF WATER is now available
for individual and institutional purchase from
http://www.theshapeofwatermovie.com.
If you are interested in knowing more,
please do go to the website where you can
see a 3-minute trailer of the film.