03: Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan (Alms for a Blind Horse)

31 March, 2018 - 14:00
Paddenhoek

 

In the presence of Gurvinder Singh.

 

Followed by
CONVERSATION WITH GURVINDER SINGH.

In the framework of DISSENT !, an initiative of Courtisane, Auguste Orts and Argos.

Gurvinder Singh studied filmmaking at the Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, graduating in 2001. He travelled extensively through Punjab between 2002 and 2006, living and wandering with folk itinerants, documenting folk ballads and oral narratives. In 2005 he was invited by Mani Kaul to be his teaching assistant for a masterclass at FTII, which led to a close association with the filmmaker, who became his mentor. He also translated and published a book of conversations between Udayan Vajpeyi and Mani Kaul, titled Uncloven Space (Quiver, 2013). His films have been screened and awarded at festivals worldwide.

Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan (Alms for a Blind Horse)

Gurvinder Singh
,
IN
,
2011
,
HD
,
colour
,
117'

Based on the novel of the same title by Gurdial Singh, this remarkable debut of Gurvinder Singh chronicles a day in the life of a rural Punjabi family facing the demolition of their village. “Anhey Ghorhey da Daan tries to evoke the effect of years of subordination of the struggling classes reflected in the macrocosm of events spinning beyond their control. It’s about silent witnesses devoid of power to change or influence the course of destiny, about the invisible violence of the power equation and the simmering discontent reflected on their faces.” (GS) This film is dedicated to Mani Kaul, who acted as creative producer on the film before his untimely passing.

Mani’s mentorship was a continuation of such inspiring thoughts. He, unlike any other mentor, could unlock your unique individuality and bring it to maturation. His parting words were, ‘Don’t listen to anyone. Just do what you think is right.’ But it was Mani Kaul’s films that left a lasting impression. And through his practice I understood Bresson’s manner of depiction. Everything came together in those works, all that one had thought, read, seen and felt. When we were shooting Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan, I used to tell my assistants that I am trying to bring together Mani and Ghatak and find a common ground. There seemed to be a deep chasm between them. Initially even I could not come to terms with Ghatak’s melodrama. But slowly his sensory world overtook, the images took on meanings of their own accord and actors and their antics became a part of the cosmos. Mani’s restraint and Ghatak’s exuberance are both relevant for me and to cinema in general.” (GS)

 

Punjabi with English subtitles