A Fundraising Screening & Discussion of 'Swaraj - The Little Republic'

The nice folks from Indie-India and Indiepix sent me the following message. If you will be in New York City on October 12, and would like to attend this function, please read below for all of the details.


Indie-India in association with 3rd I NY & Alwan for the Arts present
A Fundraising Screening & Discussion of 'Swaraj - The Little Republic'

Swaraj - The Little Republic is produced by Institute of Social Sciences in India and deals with the socio-political struggle of four women from lower caste in a small village in India. Funds from this event will support the Institute of Social Sciences and for the family of the Dhoola Ratnam, a lower caste woman panchayat (village council) member from Andhra Pradesh who along with her grandson was burned in her sleep in retaliation for exposing on-going corruption.

Friday, October 12th, 2007 @ 7 – 10pm
Alwan for the Arts
16 Beaver Street, 4th Flr. Lower Manhattan
Followed by Q&A with Dr. George Mathew, the Film's producer & Cash Bar
TiX price: $10

Please RSVP at Shreekant@indiepix.net

About the Film:
SWARAJ / THE LITTLE REPUBLIC (Anwar Jamal, India, 2002, 90 min)
The film is about a small village community in Rajasthan, India, where not only the low castes but even the women have little say in the affairs of the village. Four strong-willed women come forward through the democratically elected panchayats (village councils) to change the way their lives are run by the patriarchs of the community. It is a microcosm of democratic process, a parable for the world today.

This film is produced by Indian Institute of Social Sciences and directed by talented director, Anwar Jamal. It has been shot entirely on location in a remote village in the state of Rajasthan. It is inspired by the real life story of Leelavati, the elected Municipal Councillor of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
The film has been screened at Palm Springs International Film Fest, Montreal World Film Festival, and won the One Future Prize at Munich Film Festival. For more information about the film: http://www2.indiepix.net/film/3081

For more info on the death of Dhulla Ratnam: http://news.oneindia.mobi/2007/08/03/405941.html

DIRECTIONS: Alwan For the Arts
16 Beaver St, 4th Fl
New York, NY 10004
Between Broad St. and Broadway, one block east of Whitehall Street and Bowling Green.
AREA MAPS AT: http://tinyurl.com/e8kd4

TRAINS:
4, 5 to Bowling Green; J/M/Z to Broad St.; R,W to Whitehall St.; 1 to Rector St. or South Ferry
________________________________________________________________
About the Presenting Organizations:
Indie-India is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to promote aesthetically rich and meaningful cinema from Indian subcontinent amongst a discerning international cinema audience, with an emphasis on independent and regional cinema from India

3rd I New York's monthly film and music salon designed by local filmmakers and experimental djs showcases the works of independent filmmakers of South Asian descent and local djs, musicians ana electronica artists. Providing alternative forums for South Asian filmmakers who often have few venues to showcase their work not only increases their visibility, but also provides a social forum for peers and audiences to participate in an ongoing discussion. www.thirdi.org/~ny

Alwan for the Arts serves the Arab community and educates the broader public by showcasing a range cultural events; thereby enriching the cross-cultural and artistic encounter.

Since 1998, Alwan for the Arts has played a leading role in promoting the diverse cultures of the Arab countries in New York City. It organized film festivals and screenings, book/poetry readings and signings, lectures and conferences, art exhibits, musical and theatrical performances, and language and literature classes. In 2003, Alwan established a center in lower Manhattan which provides a physical base for its diverse cultural activities. www.alwanforthearts.org
______________________________________________________________
This event is made possible in part through public funds from the Fund for Creative Communities/New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.