What to watch at the London Indian Film Festival

At this year’s London Indian Film Festival, our Great British Asians strand celebrates the contribution of South Asians to British culture by highlighting some key British Asian filmmakers. Asif Kapadia is one such iconic director and I’m thrilled that we can present a cinema screening of his masterful classic, The Warrior (2001). Starring a giant of world cinema, the late Irrfan Khan, this film tells the tale of a heartless swordsman in feudal Rajasthan who renounces his vocation after spiritual epiphany. The screening will be preceded by a live on-stage interview, with Kapadia sharing insights into his career.

Winner of multiple awards, including the Spike Lee fellowship, Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s thoughtful debut, Nonajoler Kabbo (The Salt in Our Waters), tells the story of an educated artist who travels to coastal Bangladesh in search of inspiration. On arrival, however, he runs into local issues of politics, religion and a changing climate, which threaten to derail his retreat. The film explores the clash between science and religion, modernism and tradition, and other forces that shape the world we live in. The landscape and climate of coastal Bangladesh are majestically captured by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj, providing a visual cinematic feast. 

Ahimsa – Gandhi: The Power of the Powerless is an insightful study of how Gandhi’s message of non-violent protest influenced civil movements worldwide. The story starts in South Africa, detailing how Gandhi turned from being a British-trained lawyer into an independence movement leader with a uniquely peaceful message who took on the might of the most powerful empire on Earth.

Ramesh Sharma’s film tells how, as early as the 1930s, African Americans went to India and were inspired by Gandhi’s protests – his teachings later feeding into their own struggle for freedom during the civil rights era. Including interviews with the likes of the late politician and American civil rights activist John Lewis, it gives a fascinating alternative view of world history. There’s a Q&A with Gandhi specialists too on www.LoveLIFFatHome.com.

Another personal favourite is our opening night film, WOMB (Women of My Billion). This stirring documentary is about a young activist, Srishti Bakshi, and her epic walk from Kanyakumari at the southern tip of India to Kashmir in the north – almost 4,000km in 240 days. En route, she talks to many women about their upbringing and experiences, the different expectations placed on boys and girls and how this affects them into adulthood. Their testimonies are heart-rending and often harrowing, but the strength and self-determination that Bakshi encounters is really inspiring. Luckily for us, Bakshi is now based in Edinburgh and will be coming to BFI Southbank for a live Q&A.