22nd Social Justice Film Festival, Chennai

In cooperation with Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Chennai and Human Rights Film Festival Berlin.

The 22nd Social Justice Film Festival, Chennai, jointly organized by MARUPAKKAM and Goethe-Institut, Chennai, is a three-day event showcasing a compelling selection of films, expert talks, and interactions with filmmakers.

Curated by Amudhan RP, this festival aims to encourage on stories and dialogue of survival, perseverance, resilience and justice, presenting a compelling lineup of films that shine a light on stories of survival, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

Through the lens of cinema, the festival aims to provoke thought, inspire action, and foster dialogue on pressing social issues. As we navigate through these films, we are reminded of the transformative power of cinema to spark conversations, challenge perceptions, and drive social change. Join us at the Social Justice Film Festival in Chennai as we explore the theme of resilience and justice, celebrating the human spirit and inspiring a brighter, more just future for all.

Film Schedule:

11 April 2024
6.00 pm: Inauguration  
6:30 pm onwards:

• "My Name is Happy"

Director: Nick Read, Ayse Toprak; 82 min; UK; 2022
A gripping story of survival and resilience, following Mutlu Kaya, a singer who fights for justice after surviving a femicide.
Credits: Human Rights Film Festival, Berlin

12 April 2024
11:00 am onwards:

 

•  "Bridge"

Director: Binoy Krishna; 21 min; Short Fiction; India; 2023
Follows Ramji, a bank manager, struggling to find a home due to his caste background.
 

• "Parai - the untouchable music instrument"

Director: Senthil Kumaran; 31 min; Documentary; India; 2019
Explores the cultural and social history of the Parai, one of India's oldest musical instruments.
 

• "Alien"

Director: Vidyut Latay; 56 min; Documentary; USA; 2024
Follows the lives of five Indian high-skilled immigrants and their families as they pursue the American Dream.

• "Adios My Love"

Director: Sneha Karar and Sournali Singha; 14 min; Documentary; India; 2024
A poignant conversation between a woman and her beloved house, reflecting on memories and political pressures.

2:00 pm onwards:

• "Zameer (The voice of Conscience)"

Director: Uma Chakravarthy; 89 min; Documentary; India; 2024

Explores the experiences of women involved in resistance movements in India since the new millennium.

• "Migration and Language Scenario"

Director: Subhasis Chakraborty; 28 min; Documentary; India; 2014

Explores the discourse of the east Bengali diaspora settled in different parts of West Bengal post the partition of India in 1947.

4:30 pm onwards:

• "Colors of Kollywood - A Melanin Deficiency"

Director: Paro Salil; 23 min; Documentary; India; 2023
Examines color discrimination in Tamil Cinema.

• "Kyaa hai ye Samjhauta / Coming to terms or, Making your terms?"

Director: Hansa Thapliyal; 9 min; Animation; India; 2023
Explores existential questions through everyday materials.

• "Insides and Outsides"

Director: Arbab Ahmad; 53 min; Documentary; India; 2022
Examines discriminatory citizenship laws in India.

• "In between us (Humare Beech Mein)"

Director: Rajkumar Prajapati and Ruchika Negi; 35 min; Documentary; India; 2023
A conversation between two women about making a film on caste.

• "Yes Sir"

Director: Mudit Singhal; 20 min; Short Fiction; India; 2022
Follows the story of a Brahmin peon in a government office to a Dalit officer.

• @buddistandqueer: their path from saree to robes

Director: Daniel Sanchez- Lopez; 20 min; Documentary; India; 2020
Tashi, a young queer activist in India, renounces their sexuality, and wearing sarees, to take on Buddhist robes. Flagging both their queer gender and their faith, they pushes on the fight for LGBTQI+ rights in the turbulent oceans of current Indian politics.

• How to Build a House out of Wreckage and Rags

Director : Bernd Lutzeler; 8 min; Documentary; Germany; 2021
Found footage: California in the 1950's and 60's. A young Indian couple enjoys their personal American dream come true in their home somewhere in the suburbs of San Francisco. Around the same time, an American missionary couple visits the city of Calcutta to shoot a Christian propaganda film.

13 April 2024
11:00 am:

• "Kumva - which comes from silence"

Director: Sarah Mallegol; 108 min; Documentary; France; 2023
Explores the memories of individuals who experienced the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda as young children.

2:00 pm:

• "Painting Dhaka"

Director: Lukas Zelinger; 91 min; Documentary; Germany; 2023
Questions perceptions of Bangladesh, focusing on a graffiti workshop for disadvantaged youth in Dhaka.
Credits: Human Rights Film Festival, Berlin

4:00 pm:

• "Dr. B. R. Ambedkar: Now & Then"

Director: Jyoti Nisha; 01:50:50; Documentary; India; 2023
Explores questions of liberty, equality, fraternity, and social justice through the lens of Bahujan feminist filmmaker Jyoti Nisha.

6:15 pm:

• "Beyond hatred and power, we keep singing"

Dir: Ramdas Kadavallur; 1:55:44; India; Documentary; Competition
Chronicles the resistance of people through songs and lyrics against authoritarian interventions.

Note: Entry for all events is free, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.