[Reader-list] Project Kashmir: A Film

[Paul Miller]

Senain Kheshgi is an interesting film maker. I think that the Sarai  
reader group would enjoy the film.  It's a kaleidoscope of  
perspectives, but hey, what occupied place - whether it was Ireland,  
or Palestine, or Kashmir... isn't?

Paul aka Dj Spooky
Details:
http://www.projectkashmir.org/index.html
THE HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
PRESENTS THE WORLD PREMIERE OF

PROJECT KASHMIR

Dir. Senain Kheshgi & Geeta V. Patel
US, 2008, 89 min, Documentary
In English, Urdu, Kashmiri, Hindi with English subtitles

 From directors Senain Kheshgi and Geeta V. Patel comes PROJECT  
KASHMIR--a feature documentary in which the directors, two American  
friends from opposite sides of the divide, investigate the war in  
Kashmir and find their friendship tested over deeply rooted political,  
cultural and religious biases they never had to face in the U.S.  
PROJECT KASHMIR explores war between countries and war within oneself  
by delving into the fraught lives of young people caught in the social/ 
political conflict of one of the most beautiful, and most deadly,  
places on earth--Kashmir.


Most Indians and Pakistanis cant agree where Kashmir is on a map. But  
ask them who started the war, and they will have an answer.

For over 50 years, India and Pakistan have fought over Kashmir; a lush  
mountainous region nestled in the Himalayas. By Indian estimates,  
Asia's most bitter conflict has claimed 40,000 lives, while Pakistan  
says the number is closer to 80,000. Human Rights groups, says that  
more than 4,000 civilians have "disappeared" since the Line of Control  
was established by the UN in 1949. Harassment continues in the  
countryside, and many Kashmiris believe that killings in "encounters"  
with the army or police are in fact deaths after torture in custody.  
Yet the West remains mostly ignorant of this bloody conflict, and its  
potential to escalate into a full-scale nuclear war. Unlike the Middle  
East, the war in Kashmir does not make headlines around the world.

As peace talks between India and Pakistan continue and a historic road  
opens between their respective portions of Kashmir, dodging artillery  
fire and escaping rape or torture remains the daily reality of living  
in any region of Kashmir. The fact that no Kashmiris are currently at  
the peace table with India and Pakistan compounds the skepticism  
toward any improvement in the lives of civilians.


Beautifully lensed by Academy Award® winner, Ross Kauffman, the film  
captures the stunning beauty of Kashmir, while expertly interweaving  
deeply moving personal stories of Kashmiris with those of the two  
American women, who strive to reconcile their ethnic and religious  
heritage with the violence that haunts their homeland.

Presented in association with:
Breakthrough Tribeca All Access Tribeca Film Festival

Screening info:
Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center
Sat., June 21st, 6:30 p.m. Discussion w/ filmmakers and reception to  
follow
Sun., June 22nd, 8:30 p.m. Discussion w/ filmmakers to follow
Mon., June 23rd, 4:00 p.m.